The University of Essex has welcomed a prestigious Newton Fellow, attracted to Essex by its world-renowned reputation for excellence in human rights.

Dr Diana Cucos, from Moldova, was a lecturer at the University of European Studies and a researcher at the Academia of Sciences of Moldova, before applying for the Newton Fellowship.

Dr Diana Cucos

The Newton Fellowship selects the very best early stage post-doctoral researches from all over the world, and offers them the opportunity to conduct their research at a UK institution of their choice. In 2013 only 36 researchers have been accepted into the Fellowship.

Supported in her application by Professor Sir Nigel Rodley, Chair of the Human Rights Centre, Dr Cucos’ Fellowship project aims to analyse the law on diplomatic protection as a mechanism to ensure human rights. The research will combine legal analysis and interviews with diplomatic personnel as well as human rights lawyers.

• Listen to Dr Cucos and other human rights and law related podcasts on our Soundcloud channel

Dr Cucos said: ‘If you have a research project in the field of human rights, Essex is probably the best university in the UK’.

At the end of her Fellowship, which will last for two years, Dr Diana Cucos plans to return to Moldova and continue advancing the field of human rights, through teaching, researching, and pleading for the protection of the human rights of individuals.

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More information
For further information please contact the University of Essex Communications Office, telephone: 01206 873529 or email: comms@essex.ac.uk.