Looking back on the successful ILS Lunch Seminar of January
On Thursday 16 January, the first ILS Lunch Seminar of this year took place. Hoko Horii and Lexo Zardiashvili gave two very insightful presentations on their current and future research.
Hoko Horii gave the first presentation on “Rethinking ‘agency’ in international human rights”. International organizations typically consider child marriages as concluded in a traditional setting between a young, teenage girl and a much older man. However, in her research Hoko has proven discourse between the current understanding of child marriages and reality. In Indonesia, child marriages are often concluded between girls in their mid-or late teens and younger boys. In 90% of the cases, the children choose to be married because of pregnancy outside wedlock. In her presentation, Hoko argued that instead of the paternalistic approach of banning child marriage, international human rights organizations should focus more on why children get married and address the underlying issues.
The second presentation was given by Lexo Zardiashvili on “Automated Manipulation and Human Dignity”. In his presentation, Lexo explained his preliminary research question, which deals with the extent to which the concept of human dignity can be used to regulate ‘automated manipulation’. Large multinational technology companies such as Google and Amazon have hired the best behavioural scientists in the world, trying to influence human behaviour in order to improve their power. Even though the exact range is unknown, online manipulation of ordinary citizens happens anytime and every day by using online services such as Google or Facebook. In this way, our decisions are steered by what can be called ‘hypernudging’. However, the persistent impact on our free will could conflict with important human rights. In his presentation, Lexo explained in what way this might damage our ‘human dignity’ and the possible applications of his research.
The next ILS Lunch Seminar will take place on Thursday 19 March 2019 from 13:00 – 14:00 hrs in KOG B0.13. This seminar will feature a presentation from Santy Kouwagam. There is no need to register, and lunch is provided.
Can’t wait? Because of the annual ILS PhD Day, Prof. Dr. Cedric Ryngaert from Utrecht University will deliver a lecture on “Jurisdiction and the Territorialisation of the Extraterritorial” on Monday 10 February from 16:00 – 17:30 hrs in the Gravensteen, room 0.11. You can register here or click here for more information.
Would you like to present yourself and your research? Do not hesitate to contact our ILS student assistant! More information can be found on our website.
