Human Rights Act Policy Academy
Applications for this course are open NOW until 1st May 2026.
The Human Rights Policy Academy is an online 5-day course starting on Monday 1 June 2026 for policy, advocacy and campaigning professionals across the UK’s four nations, designed to strengthen the use of the Human Rights Act in policy, advocacy, influencing and campaigning.
At a time of significant debate about the future of human rights protections in the UK, this programme provides a timely opportunity for professionals to deepen their understanding of how the Human Rights Act through the European Convention on Human Rights works in practice and how it can be used to influence policy, legislation and decision-making.
Who can apply for a place on the course?
The Human Rights Act Policy Academy is open to up to 20 UK wide civil society policy, influencing, advocacy and campaigning staff. You must be working on issues that fall within the scope of the UK Human Rights Act and within BIHR’s 5 thematic areas: Health, Care, Housing, Education and Welfare.
Places are not guaranteed on applying, if we have over 20 applications- which we expect to- we will offer places ensuring an equitable mix across the 4 nations and our 5 key issue areas.
When is the Policy Academy?
The course will run every Monday for six weeks from 1 June 2026, combining online full- and half-day group sessions with independent study.
*The programme will be delivered online to support UK-wide participation. BIHR is a professional training organisation skilled at online facilitation.
What will you gain from the course?
- Greater confidence using the Human Rights Act across internal and external policy, advocacy, influencing and campaigning work
- Practical tools for integrating legally protected rights into your internal and external policy, advocacy and campaigns work
- A clear action plan to advance a human-rights-based approaches in an area of your choice
- Connections with a network of professionals committed to strengthening human rights across the UK
- A course workbook containing practical human rights information to sustain your learning
- The opportunity to share learnings and insights at our Annual Human Rights Day gathering in December
- A certificate upon completion of the Policy Academy as a Human Rights Policy Lead.
Course Costs
We’re grateful to our funders for supporting this work to strengthen the championing of the Human Rights Act through its use, at this crucial time. Thanks to their support, we’re able to offer places on The Human Rights Act Policy Academy on a sliding scale, with free and subsidised places for smaller organisations to ensure equitable access. We do ask organisations to make a contribution aligned to their size and resources.
|
Annual Turnover |
Cost for 1 place on BIHR’s 5-day course |
Costs reimbursement for 10 December Event in London (max of £300)* |
|
Over 1 million |
£145 |
N/A |
|
Under 1 million |
£115 |
N/A |
|
Up to £750,000 |
£95 |
Up to £50 pp |
|
Up to £500,000 |
£65 |
Up to £100 pp |
|
Up to £250,000 |
£40 |
Up to £250 pp |
|
Under £100,000 |
FREE |
Up to £300 pp |
*Travel, accommodation & subsistence reimbursement for 10 December Conference in London up to a max of £300, accommodation only for orgs outside of London.
We offer a maximum of 3 places per organisation.
If booking 3 places, the 3rd place is free.
Related information
Changing Mental Health Law
Our experience informed research with people involved in accessing or delivering mental health services underpins our policy work on the new draft Mental Health Act.
Changing Mental Health Law
Our experience informed research with people involved in accessing or delivering mental health services underpins our policy work on the new draft Mental Health Act.
Stay up-to-date
Get our newsletter
Get monthly updates on UK human rights law and our work, resources and events sent straight to your inbox.