Michael S. Bryant

Michael S. Bryant is a Professor of History and Legal Studies at Bryant University's College of Arts and Sciences, specializing in the impact of the Holocaust on law, human rights, German criminal law, and international humanitarian law. His interdisciplinary work bridges historical analysis with legal scholarship, examining how historical events shape contemporary legal frameworks and ethical considerations.

Dr. Bryant holds a Ph.D. in Modern European History from The Ohio State University, a J.D. from Emory University, and a B.A. from The Ohio State University. His academic journey reflects a deep integration of historical and legal expertise, allowing him to approach complex questions at the intersection of these disciplines.

Professor Bryant's research focuses on the historical development of international humanitarian law, particularly examining how the Holocaust and Nazi-era crimes influenced modern legal frameworks. His work explores the evolution of war crimes tribunals, the development of human rights law, and the historical context of genocide prevention. He has made significant contributions to understanding how postwar adjudication of Nazi crimes shaped contemporary international criminal law.

His extensive publication record demonstrates consistent engagement with critical questions at the intersection of history and law. Bryant's scholarship reveals a trajectory from specific case studies of Nazi-era crimes toward broader examinations of war crimes throughout history. His work increasingly emphasizes the relevance of historical understanding for contemporary legal and ethical challenges, particularly in the areas of genocide prevention and human rights protection.

• CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title for 2021 for "Nazi Crimes and their Punishment"
• Book of the Year Award (2014)
• Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year (2014)
• Eugene M. Kayden University Press of Colorado Book Award (2005)

Professor Bryant serves as President of the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center in Providence, RI, and is a member of the Board of Editors for Human Rights Review. He has received prestigious fellowships from the Fulbright Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Science Foundation, German Exchange Service, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. His current projects include a documentary film on Chelmno (due 2026) and research on Kurt Schwedersky's investigation into the Treblinka death camp.