Colin Harvey

Overview

Professor Colin Harvey is a prominent academic in human rights and constitutional law at Queen's University Belfast (QUB), serving as Director of the Human Rights Centre and Fellow of the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice. His roles include Commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and member of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency’s Scientific Committee. Previously, he held the Chair of Constitutional and Human Rights Law at the University of Leeds and has held visiting positions at institutions like the University of Michigan and LSE.

Research Focus

Dr. Harvey’s research emphasizes human rights in divided societies, particularly in the British-Irish context. Key interests include refugee rights, citizenship debates, and the socio-legal consequences of Brexit. His work bridges academia and policy, with notable projects like the ESRC-funded BrexitLawNI initiative analyzing Brexit’s impact on Northern Ireland’s constitutional, human rights, and equality frameworks.

Professional Contributions

• Edited ten books, including Contemporary Issues in Refugee Law and Human Rights and Public Finance
• Contributed to Human Rights Law Review, European Human Rights Law Review, and others
• Advisory roles with UNHCR, Global Commission on International Migration, and Oireachtas committees

Awards & Recognition

Recipient of the Finalist--Vice Chancellor's Research Culture Prize 2020 (QUB), recognizing his impactful interdisciplinary work.

Advising & Mentorship

Supervised over 20 PhD students focusing on refugee law, statelessness, and human rights in migration. Active in mentoring postdoctoral researchers for fellowships via the British Academy and Marie Skłodowska-Curie schemes.

Affiliations & Networks

• Academic Panel at Doughty Street Chambers
• Senior Research Associate, Refugee Law Initiative (University of London)
• Equally Ours Research Network and Keough School of Global Affairs (Notre Dame)