Are you passionate about Human Rights? Do you want to help improve the realisation of Human Rights for everyone in Scotland? Do you have the skills, values, experience and expertise to help make that happen? If so, please take a look at our opportunities below. This page is updated regularly.
Who we are
The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) is Scotland’s human rights watchdog.
We are an independent, expert body that works with and for the people of Scotland; we monitor, listen, and speak up for all our rights and respond when things go wrong. We are a public body created by statute, with a mandate to protect and promote the human rights of all people in Scotland.
The Commission is established as a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). As such we are part of a global network of bodies accredited by the United Nations to monitor state compliance with international and national human rights law and treaties. It is the job of NHRIs to use the rule of law to promote and protect the human rights of all of the people who live in any given country and assess the actions of the state on that basis. This is how the Scottish Human Rights Commission approaches its work.
Long Description
Five petals around the words SHRC values. Each petal describes a value. They are: 1. Accessible 2. Independent 3. Uphold human rights 4. Educate and engage 5. Authoritative, expert and trusted
Long description ends.
Vacancies
There are no current vacancies.
Contract research
From time to time we contract research projects to external specialists. If you are a research consultant and would like to be considered for future opportunities, please complete our research database form.
Current tenders
There are no current tenders.
Other opportunities
"What Next for Human Rights? Setting the Research Agenda”
Call for Abstracts is now live for this year’s Human Rights Knowledge Exchange in partnership with the University of Glasgow and the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS).
The Scottish Human Rights Commission will be hosting an event and it takes place on 16 December 2025 at the SHRC’s offices in Edinburgh.
This is a brilliant opportunity for PhD students across Scotland to share their research and connect with people working in human rights, policy and practice. You don’t have to be a human rights scholar to apply – if your research touches on fairness, equality, justice, accountability or dignity, we’d love to hear from you.
Six students will be selected to present their work at the event, with a further 30 places available for PhD students to take part in discussion and networking alongside academics, government and civil society colleagues, and the SHRC.
How to apply:
Submit a 300-word abstract by 17 November 2025 to Jo.Ferrie@glasgow.ac.uk
Successful applicants will be notified by 21 November, with support sessions for speakers the following week.