Establishing Human Rights Frameworks for AI Regulation

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2025. 

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Business and Law, and will be supervised by Dr Daniel Bedford, Dr Henry Pearce and Dr Susan Yin. 

Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£19,237 for 2024/25). Bursary recipients will also receive £2,000 for fieldwork purposes. 

Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.   

The rapid advancement and expanding application of AI offers significant opportunities but also profound challenges for humanity. While AI promises advancement in areas such as healthcare, education, and sustainability, its growth has introduced novel mechanisms of social control, presenting a risk of human rights violations. These include breaches of privacy, algorithmic discrimination, and procedural unfairness. As AI increasingly encroaches on decision-making processes in sensitive areas like sentencing, safeguarding fundamental human rights emerges as a key priority.  

This research examines the capacity of existing human rights frameworks, many of which were established long before the current digital era, to address the emerging capabilities of AI. In particular, it evaluates whether these frameworks adequately govern AI’s far-reaching implications or whether tailored international instruments are needed to mitigate emerging risks. Particular attention will be given to the protection offered by the European Convention on Human Rights, given the Council of Europe’s efforts to establish AI-specific mechanisms.

This project will assess recent international initiatives, such as the adoption of the Council of Europe’s Framework Convention on AI, to determine their effectiveness in addressing gaps left by established human rights mechanisms, such as the ECHR. This treaty seeks to align AI's entire lifecycle with human rights standards by establishing broad principles and requiring the implementation of relevant legislative, administrative, or other measures at the domestic level. This project will assess whether such a governance model can effectively safeguard human rights and explore the specific actions required and taken by states to operationalise the standards contained in that treaty. 

How to apply

We’d encourage you to contact Dr Daniel Bedford (daniel.bedford@port.ac.uk) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, you can use our online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV.  Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process. 

Please also include a research proposal of 1,000 words outlining the main features of your proposed research design – including how it meets the stated objectives, the challenges this project may present, and how the work will build on or challenge existing research in the above field.
 

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code LAW50360125 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.