ABOUT US

Amnesty International UK (AIUK) is a national section, or branch, of a global movement of over seven million supporters, members, and activists. Collectively, our vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments. Our mission is to undertake research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of these rights. We are independent of any government, political ideology, economic interest, or religion.                                           

BACKGROUND

There has been a rise of activism on university campuses linked to events in Gaza and the Occupied Palestinian Territory since October 7, 2023. Some universities have responded by acting against students and academics to suppress protests, possibly under pressure from the Government, partners and donors. The range of actions taken against individual students and university societies including cancelling meetings, denying permission to host external speakers, disciplinary action, surveillance, threats, intimidation, legal action and referral to the police. There is prima facie evidence that some of this action may be racialised in so far as the protests are intended to protect the rights of Palestinians and make the case for Israel to be held accountable for its crimes. Some students and staff have been reported to Prevent for Palestine-related activity and speech. The suppression of activism and of expression across British universities poses a threat to the advancement of human rights and to academic freedom, contributing to further shrinkage of civil society space. This acts as a deterrent to human rights activism. Many human rights campaigners begin their activist journey on campuses which has implications for future mobilisation if universities are able to suppress activism on campus.

THE PROJECT

The project would seek to investigate whether there has been targeting of students, academics and university societies for speaking out about Israel’s human rights violations against Palestinians, and for taking non-violent action that is intended to raise awareness of what is happening. While the main focus will be on action taken by universities since 7 October 2023, the research will examine whether this would represent a continuum and take account of any related clamping down on Freedom of Expression before then. The project is intended to bring about greater scrutiny and accountability of universities for any steps they may have taken to deny freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association on their premises. Many students have already raised their concerns with Amnesty International as have other organisations. We have a growing database of cases which we are aware of but not able to support as we don’t provide legal advice or defend individual students who are the subject of disciplinary action by university authorities. We are currently scoping which universities to focus our investigation on. The investigation will culminate in the launch of a report with findings and recommendations to universities. This will be followed up by advocacy and campaigning to persuade universities to change their approach so that freedom of expression, assembly and association are respected on campus.

SCOPE OF RESEARCH AND METHODOLOGY

The research will cover higher education institutions across the UK as identified by Amnesty International’s scoping. There will be some regional focus on universities in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This role will require the researcher to travel and conduct interviews at locations across the UK within the space of a few months. Apart from these individual incidents and cases, Amnesty International has access to a much wider dataset of incidents and cases that will generate a bigger picture of what is happening across campuses in the UK. The researcher will be expected to analysis and present this data. The precise methodology to be pursued will be determined in conjunction with the consultant researcher.

THE ROLE

We are seeking to recruit a freelance consultant researcher to conduct at least 30 interviews with individuals and groups identified by Amnesty International UK, to document their cases, and to compile these into a clear and accessible report with findings and conclusions.

You will have:

• Experience of designing and delivering research projects from start to end to an exceptional standard.
• Experience of utilising a mixed-methods approach to research and corroborating information from different sources.
• Experience of requesting information through FOI requests, and knowledge of the appeals process.
• Experience of taking and documenting testimonies from human rights defenders or other vulnerable individuals, obtaining their consent and safeguarding them from possible recriminations.
• Significant knowledge of human rights legislation, including relevant domestic, regional and international human law and accompanying analysis which could further this investigation.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a range of colleagues and partners.
• Preferably some past experience of working with Amnesty entities.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the aims and objectives of Amnesty International.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, equity, diversity and inclusion.

The main point of contact and project manager for this work will be Amnesty International UK’s Economic Affairs Programme Director, Peter Frankental. There will also be interactions with relevant members of Amnesty’s International Secretariat.

TIMELINE

Final report to be completed by 31 July 2025.

• Deadline for submissions by 14 April
• Shortlisted candidates notified by 23 April
• Interviews with shortlisted candidates on WC 28 April
• Selection of candidates and contracting at beginning of May
• Research to start early in May
• Final report due by end of July 2025

CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

Amnesty International UK will pay the successful consultant in two tranches – 30% of the fee midway through the research, the remaining fee on submission of the final report.

The consultant will be a self-employed person responsible for taxation and national insurance or similar liabilities or contributions in respect of their fee. The successful consultant will not, therefore, be entitled to Amnesty International’s Staff Terms and Conditions and nothing in this agreement constitutes a Contract of Employment.

DELIVERABLES

The central output of this project will be the report which will be freely available online. Copyright will belong to Amnesty International UK.

LOGISTICS

The consultant would be required to work from their own home or place of work. Meetings with Amnesty staff would take place on MS Teams or on occasion in the AIUK London office. The consultant would need to be UK-based for this project for the purposes of data collection and stakeholder engagement.

BUDGET

The budget for this research project is £8000 inclusive of VAT (if applicable) and all expenses.

SUBMISSIONS

Tender submissions outlining your proposed approach to researching this area, along with an outline of key research questions you may use, relevant human rights law and your experience and schedule should be received by 14 April 2025. If you wish to include a link to a research project that you have previously produced, please do so. The final tender document should be no more than 6 pages of A4.

The application should be submitted to peter.frankental@amnesty.org.uk no later than 14 April 2025. Please include “Freedom of Expression tender” in the subject line. We will notify shortlisted applicants by 23 April and arrange to meet (virtually) in the week commencing 28 April before making a decision.

Please note, the successful tenderer will be required to enter into a contractual arrangement for supply of services. This will not constitute employment for tax purposes, and the consultant or freelancer will not be entitled to staff terms and conditions.

If you have any questions prior to submitting your tender, please contact peter.frankental@amnesty.org.uk