Priyangaa Thivendrarajah

Please tell us about your research project.

I am undertaking a PhD in International Law, jointly with Université Laval in Canada and Université Paris Nanterre in France, under the supervision of Professor Julia Grignon, Professor Marina Eudes, and Professor Fannie Lafontaine. My research focuses on the documentation of war crimes, that is to say, the collection of potential evidence in conflict settings, with a view to advancing investigations and, ultimately, accountability and justice. More specifically, I examine this question through a threefold framework. First, the evolution of documentation methods themselves, encompassing scientific approaches, digital tools, and emerging technologies. Second, the evolution of the actors involved in this documentation work, as new categories of actors, such as open-source investigators, non-governmental organisations, citizen journalists, and technology platforms, increasingly join traditional bodies such as international tribunals and human rights organisations. Third, the evolution of the methods and means of warfare itself, which are likewise being transformed by new technologies, and which in turn shape what must be documented and how. The central aim of my thesis is to understand how these three dimensions interact with, and mutually influence, one another, rather than treating them as separate developments, in order to better serve the pursuit of justice for these crimes.

Could you please tell us a bit more about your scholarship/exchange programme?

I am spending three months here as a visiting PhD researcher, supported by a scholarship from the Faculty of Law at Université Laval. This scholarship gives me resident status at the Maison Française d'Oxford and access to the Bodleian Libraries.

First impressions of Oxford/the University?

It is a beautiful place, with a wonderful range of libraries, an absolute paradise for book lovers! The environment and atmosphere in Oxford make for a particularly studious and inspiring research experience.