I already work on civil liberties / rights, or human rights - is this really for me?

Yes! Many participants already work on defending the HRA or civil liberties. The Academy is about moving beyond familiarity or defence towards deliberate, fluent and strategic use of the Human Rights Act in complex contexts.

I’m already using the HRA in my role -  will I still get something from this?

Absolutely. Participants often tell us they are already “doing” human rights, but value the opportunity for:

• structured reflection,
• peer learning, and
• time to sharpen judgement and approach.

The Academy supports learning and development even for those already working confidently with the HRA.

Is this Academy relevant for people working in the devolved nations?

Yes. The Human Rights Act applies across the UK, including in the devolved nations. The Academy is designed to build skills and confidence in using the Human Rights Act in policy, campaigning, and influencing work, whether that work is UK‑wide or in a devolved context. The focus is on strengthening how you use the Human Rights Act in practice, rather than on a single institutional or governance model. Plus the Academy facilitators include senior BIHR staff with experience of working on human rights policy and practice in devolved nations.

What kind of organisations do participants come from?

Participants typically come from non-governmental organisations, voluntary and third sector, and charities working on:

• civil liberties and human rights protection
• health, housing, welfare, education or social security
• justice, migration and equalities
• children’s rights, women’s rights, and more

All participants share a commitment to rights‑based change. 

If you work for a public authority, local or central government or similar, we do provide HRA learning and development through our training and programmes work, please get in touch and ask us more: training@bihr.org.uk

Is this relevant for managers and leaders?

Yes. The Academy is designed for both practitioners and those who manage or lead policy and campaigns work. Leaders often value the strategic space it provides to reflect on organisational approach and direction. Leaders are also important is ensuring HRA learning and approaches are internally supported in your organisations, cascading down and reaching up, so you’re very welcome! We offer discounts for multiple places, so you can bring team members with you.

How practical is the Academy?

Very. Participants work on a live project or challenge from their own role, applying learning directly to current policy or campaigning work. This is not a theorical exercise, and nor is it simply training unlinked to your work – you don’t need to join the dots afterwards, we do it together on the course. This could be about: policy positions; consultation responses; research, analysis and recommendations; parliamentary briefings; campaign asks; and much more!

What will the Human Rights Act Policy Academy help you do?

This is a practical programme for people who want to use the Human Rights Act in real policy, campaigning, and influencing work. You’ll learn how to:

• Use the Human Rights Act in policy submissions and consultation responses by clearly identifying which rights are engaged and making legally grounded recommendations.
• Strengthen campaigns by flagging the specific rights at risk and framing campaign messages around enforceable legal duties.
• Analyse laws and policies through a human rights lens, spotting risks, gaps, and unintended impacts early on.
• Make stronger arguments to decision‑makers, using human rights obligations to challenge poor or harmful decisions.
• Connect lived experience to human rights law in ways that are evidential, credible, and compelling.
• Respond confidently to attacks on the law, challenging misinformation with clear, accessible explanations.

What do I get from the Human Rights Act Policy Academy?

Participants in the Human Rights Act Policy Academy receive:

• A certificate of completion: Recognising your participation in a specialist, practice‑focused professional development programme for policy, campaigns and advocacy professionals.
• A course handbook: Bringing together key frameworks, tools and approaches for using the Human Rights Act fluently and strategically in policy and campaigning work, to support ongoing practice beyond the Academy.
• A supported practice project: You will work on a live project drawn from your own role or organisation, applying learning directly to real policy or campaigning challenges, with structured support and reflection throughout the Academy.
• A strong professional network: You’ll build relationships with a cohort of peers from across the sector, all working with a shared understanding of the Human Rights Act and a commitment to high‑quality, rights‑based practice.
• Part of a new cohort of HRA‑confident policy and campaigns professionals: Including connection beyond the course itself, with an annual gathering to maintain learning, confidence and collective capacity across the sector.

Is this just about responding when the HRA is under attack?

No. While defending the HRA is vital, the Academy is focused on embedding the Act proactively in everyday policy, campaigning and advocacy work - not only mobilising in moments of crisis. But the next time mobilisation is needed, you will be all the more confident in your defence of universal rights having been part of the Academy!