Dr Cynthia Chisom Umezulike

Senior Lecturer in Law

International Human Rights Lawyer | Senior Lecturer | Gender & Women's Rights Specialist | Climate Sustainability Activist | Consultant

Cynthia Umezulike Dr Cynthia Chisom Umezulike is an international human rights lawyer, senior academic, gender and women’s rights specialist, consultant, and climate sustainability activist. Dr Umezulike brings an unparalleled depth of knowledge and practical experience on the intersection of gender rights, climate sustainability, and human rights to the pressing challenges of human rights and environmental justice. Dr Umezulike holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with honours from Igbinedion University, Okada, and is a qualified barrister and solicitor. She further advanced her expertise with two Master’s degrees: an LL.M from Queen Mary University of London, a member of the Russell Group, and an LL.M in International Law and Criminal Justice from the University of East London. Her academic achievements culminated in a Ph.D. in Law from Birkbeck, University of London, where she earned special recognition from the Gilchrist Trust for her outstanding doctoral research in international human rights law.

Dr Umezulike was recommended by the United Nations Consultative Group as a final two nominee for the position of Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (Western European States) and as a member of the Working Group of Experts on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas (African States). As President and Consultant at the Global Human Rights Centre, she leads global initiatives, advising governments, international organizations, and the private sector on issues of human rights due diligence, climate policy, and sustainable development. Her work focuses on integrating human rights frameworks into global climate and business policies, advocating for a rights-based approach to international environmental agreements such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Additionally, she chairs and directs the International Conference on Human Rights, Sustainability and Climate Change, bringing together academics, policymakers, and activists to forge actionable solutions that centre human rights in global climate action.

In her role as Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development, Energy Transition, and Climate Change, Dr Umezulike leads innovative programs focused on accelerating the transition to low-carbon economies, advancing social justice, and ensuring the protection of marginalized communities in the face of climate change. As co-chair and Director of Human Rights for the Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike Foundation, she oversees transformative programs that address the rights of People of African Descent through legal research, education, and community engagement. Dr Umezulike has also excelled in the private sector, having served as Head of Legal and Governance at Diamond Hangar Aviation, one of Europe's most prominent private aviation firms. Her academic career includes previous roles as Associate Lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London, where she taught Constitutional and Administrative Law, Tort Law, and Criminal Law, as well as at the University of Buckingham, where she lectured in International Comparative Human Rights Law and Tort Law. She was also Editor of the Lord Denning Law Journal.

An award-winning climate activist, Dr Umezulike leads high-impact campaigns against the environmental and human rights abuses caused by fast fashion, advocating for systemic change to prevent exploitation and gender-based violence in garment industries. Through her Climate Crises and Human Rights Match and Climate Sustainability Awareness Campaign, Dr Umezulike is raising awareness of the urgent need to align human rights protections with climate change mitigation efforts globally. Dr Umezulike’s contributions have been widely acknowledged. She has received the East London Glocal Engagement Award and was named by the University of East London as one of the 125 distinguished alumni making significant contributions in their fields. In recognition of her work with the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent, Dr Umezulike was listed on the Global 100 Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) under 40. She has also served as a delegate for UN Women at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Dr Umezulike is an active member of UK Society of Legal Scholars, UK Human Rights Lawyers Association, International Bar Association, and the Justice Human Rights Network.

Other References

Qualifications

Birkbeck, University of London - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Queen Mary, University of London - Master of Laws (LLM)
University of East London - Master of Laws (LLM) International Law and Criminal Justice)
Igbinedion University, Okada Nigeria - Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Second Class Upper (2.1)
The Nigerian Law School - Barrister and Solicitor at Law (BL) Federal Republic of Nigeria Law (BL)

Teaching Expertise

Unit Lead: Master’s Degree (LLM), Transnational Human Rights Law and Climate Litigation)
LLB Course Director
Recruitment Lead

Research Interests

International Human Rights Law
Energy and Climate Change Law
Environmental Law and Sustainable Development
Medical Law and Ethics

Projects

Centre for Sustainable Development, Energy Transitions and Climate Change.
International Conference on Human Rights, Sustainability and Climate Change.
Executive, Judicial and Legislative Officers Training and Workshop.
Advocacy and Social Development Internship Program
Climate Sustainability Awareness Campaign

External Roles

University of Buckingham: PhD Supervision – Nikki Ngozichukwuka Modie-Nwaefulu, “The Influence of Gender Culture in Gender Based Violence Policy Development and Implementation: A Look at the Social Policy Development of the Nigerian Violence Against (Prohibition) Act 2015 (2022-2024).
University of Buckingham: Internal Examiner LLM by Research Thesis – Shahmoradi Zavareh S, “Should Euthanasia and Assisted Dying be Legalized in the United Kingdom (2023).

Awards and Recognitions

East London Glocal Engagement Award: This award recognises significant contributions both locally and globally, particularly level exceptional contribution and commitment to advance human rights and sustainability, fostering positive change and improving the lives of others within their community.
Emerging Academic Scholar Award – Marymont Manhanttan University New York Twelfth International Food Conference 2022.
People’s Choice Winner, 3MT Ph.D. Thesis Competition, Birkbeck, University of London.
Gilchrist Educational Trust Prize Special Notation in Recognition of Outstanding Ph.D. Research, Birkbeck, University of London.
Global 100 under 40 List of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), In support of the United Nations Decade for People of African Descent, recognised and named on the Global 100 under 40 list of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD)- human rights, humanitarian and activism impact.
University of East London. 125 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. Recognising outstanding contribution and noteworthy difference and continuous positive impact in her career.

Consultations/ Conferences/Publications/Awards

United Nations Engagements and other Executive Advisory Consultations
Independent Expert Recommendation: Appointment recommendation (final 2) by United Nations Consultative Group to the President of Human Rights Council for the mandate of Working Group on the Human Rights of People of African Descent. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/appointments/hrc55/CG-REPORT-HRC55_final.docx
Independent Expert Recommendation: Appointment recommendation (final 2) by the United Nations Consultative Group to the president of the Human Rights Council for the mandate of the Working Group on the Human Rights of People of African Descent. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/hrbodies/hrcouncil/appointments/hrc57/CG-REPORT-HRC57_to_HRC-President.docx
Independent Expert Longlist: Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Climate Change. Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, provided Written Submission United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (WGEPAD) on The Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Digitalised Age and Impact on Racism and Racial Discrimination on People of African Descent. Thematic Report A/HRC/57/70: Fulfilling the economic, social, and cultural rights of People of African Descent in the age of digitalization, artificial intelligence, and new emerging technologies - Report of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, provided written submission/statement at the United Nations Consultation on Mental Health and Human rights. Organised by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) - Palais des Nations - Geneva Switzerland. https://www.ohchr.org/en/health/mental-health-and-human-rights
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended and participated in a Round Table Panel with Alliance Innovation Regulation (AIR). Provided advisory consultation and legal expertise on remedies and best practices in combating and mitigating digital fraud in West Africa.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended and participated in Consultation Meeting with CSO in the 39th Session of the Working Group on the Issues of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises. October 2024.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended and participated in 6th United Nations Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum, Asia Pacific. UNESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand. Theme: Advancing Remedy and Responsible Business Through Development Finance and Co-operation.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended and participated in the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Development Consultation on the Right to Development of Children and Future Generation. Climate justice: Loss and Damage.
Participation and Written Submission – The Business of Fashion: Does Tertiary Institutions Enable Human Rights Violations in Fashion Through Exclusionary Education “at the 12th Session, United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights – Geneva Switzerland, 27th November 2023.
Participant – 32nd Session, United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent (WGEPAD) – International Decade for People of African Descent, May 2-5, 2023.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended the Annual International Multidisciplinary Conference on Trends in Further Education, Multidisciplinary Perspectives at the University of Malta. September 2024. Presented the research paper titled “Education and Climate Action: The Integration of Climate Change Education in Higher Education Curriculum”.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended and participated in the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) World Food Forum 2024.Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, Rome, Italy. Theme: Inclusive Science and Innovation for Agrifood Systems Transformation, Leaving No One Behind, aligned with the WFF 2024 overall theme of Good Food for All for Today and Tomorrow.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended, participated, and provided oral contribution in the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) 3rd African Business and Human Rights Forum 2024, Nairobi Kenya. Sessions on Human Rights and Business, Children's Rights in Global Supply Chains, Lessons Learned from the African Context and Way Forward.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended and participated in the Brookings Institution’s Global Economy and Development program panel on Meeting the Global Climate Finance Challenge: A Conversation with UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell. Discussion on creating the opportunity we have to make real progress fighting climate change and accelerating global development.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended and participated in the United Nations Biodiversity Conference. COP 16/ CP-MOP 11 / NP-MOP 5. Cali, Columbia. 23-24 October 2024. Sessions on Challenges and opportunities of managing protected and conserved areas to promote environmental peacebuilding. Reconciling nature conservation and development: How to build an enabling environment and meet biodiversity targets. Protecting the role of women environmental human rights defenders towards the achievement of KMGPF Targets 22 and 23: Lessons and opportunities from Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended and participated in the United Nations 4th UN Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights for Europe and Central Asia. Budva, Montenegro.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended and participated in the United Nations 13th Session United Nations Business and Human Rights Forum. Geneva, Switzerland. 25 - 27 November 2024.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, provided written submission on - "Advancing Ocean Conservation through a Human Rights-Based Approach: Balancing Environmental Protection and Community Wellbeing". United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights to a Healthy Environment. Call for Inputs - Oceans and Human Rights. Special Rapporteur on the human right to a healthy environment.
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended and participated Multi-Stakeholder Consultation, by UNDP and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. At the 4th UN Forum on Business and Human Rights in Europe and Central Asia
Dr Cynthia C. Umezulike, attended and participated in COP29 Panel Discussion: United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network. Solidarity for Climate Ambition: Fashion and Lifestyle Shaping a Greener Future.

Conference/Presentations/Attendance/Panellist

‘The Legal and Ethical Implication of Committing Mentally ill Patients to Involuntary Treatment. A Case Study of Eating Disorders’ – The 27th Annual Renfrew Center Foundation Conference, Philadelphia USA (2017).
‘Self-Starvation: Media Influence in the Development of the Thin Body,’ at the Fashion, Body and Culture International Conference, held at the University of Oxford (February 2020)
‘Towards a Human Rights Perspective in the Involuntary Treatment of the Anorexic Body,’ at the Kent Critical Law Society Annual Conference, University of Kent (March 2017).
‘The Meaning-Centered Anorexic Body: A Feminist Response to Control and Misogyny,’ at the Critical Legal Conference, University of Warwick.
‘Thin Body Internalization: Media Internalization: Media Influence in the Development of the Anorexic Body,’ at Talking Bodies: An International, Interdisciplinary Conference on Identity, Sexuality and Representation, University of Chester.
Panelist on ‘Human Rights, Ethics and Social Care’ at the KCLS annual conference, University of Kent (March 2019).
Panelist in ‘Eating, Meat, Catastrophe’ at the CLC conference, University of Warwick. (September 2018)
Paper – “Violence Against Women: Eco-economic Independence in Respect to African and Ethnic Minorities” at the Women’s Parliament, Cambridge Council Chamber, Cambridge United Kingdom (28th November 2022)
Paper - “Self-Starvation In Non Western Cultures: Rethinking The Role Of Food In The Quest For Autonomy And Bodily Integrity,” at the Twelfth International Conference on Food Studies Marymount University.New York, USA.
Paper - "Is Self-Starvation a Human Right: Understanding Meaning-Centred Anorexia in Non-Western Cultures" at the 5th International Academic Conference on Research in Social Sciences- Copenhagen, Denmark.
Paper and Pronouncement – “The Bravado of Modern Liberated Women” at the Bold and Brilliant Panel – London United Kingdom (11th of December 2022).
Paper – “Contexualising the Direct Link Between Fast Fashion and Climate Change: A Human Rights Based Approach”, at the 10th International Conference on Research in Behavioral and Social Sciences (November 2022)
Opening Lecture – “Human Rights and Climate Sustainability: A Case Study of the Fast Fashion Industry” at the University of Buckingham Law Taster (November 4th 2023).
Opening Address – “Towards a Legal Recognition of the Impact of Climate Change on the Enjoyment of Socio-Economic Rights and Sustainable Environment Citizens”, at the International Conference on Human Rights, Sustainability and Climate Change”, October 4, 2023.
Paper: “Gender Perspectives Towards the Right to Dignity and Self Determination of: The Emancipation of the Feminist Body and Beyond” at the Women’s Parliament, Cambridge Council Chamber, Cambridge United Kingdom (February 2023).
Paper – “Eco-legal Criticism: Adequacy of the Current Legal Framework to Tackle the Impact of Climate Change”, at the International Conference on Eco-criticism and Environmental Studies – Birkbeck, University of London, October14, 2023.
Paper – “Okirika Waste Colonialism: Intertextuality of Climate Change, Informal Waste Economy and Gender Based Inequalities in Africa at the 7th International Conference on Modern Approaches in Humanities and Social Sciences” – Copenhagen Denmark, 3rd of November 2023.
Paper - “Emerging Human Rights Due Diligence Regulations in Supply Chain Management: Navigating the Impact on Illegal Workplace Practices and Climate Change” at the International Conference on Human Rights, Prague Czech Republic. September 2024.
Paper – “Education and Climate Action: The Integration of Climate Change Education in Higher Education Curriculum” at the Annual International Multidisciplinary Conference on Trends in Further Education, Multidisciplinary Perspectives at the University of Malta. September 2024.
Paper - “Self Starvation In Non Western Cultures: Rethinking The Role Of Food In The Quest For Autonomy And Bodily Integrity,” at the Twelfth International Conference on Food Studies Marymount University. New York, USA.
Paper - "Is Self-Starvation a Human Right: Understanding Meaning-Centred Anorexia in Non-Western Cultures" at the 5th International Academic Conference on Research in Social Sciences- Copenhagen, Denmark.
Paper – “Contexualising the Direct Link Between Fast Fashion and Climate Change”, at the International Conference on Eco-criticism and Environmental Studies – London, United Kingdom.

Publications

Articles and Book Chapters

Cynthia Umezulike, “Advancing the Socio-economic and Cultural Rights of Children in Nigeria”, Igbinedion Law Review 21 (7) 2010.
Cynthia Umezulike, “Human Rights Approach on the Involuntary Treatment of the Anorexic Body”, Birkbeck Law Review 6 (1), 2018.
Cynthia Umezulike, “Thin Body: The Influence of the Media in the Development of Anorexic Body”, Journal of Culture, Society and Development, 22 431 (2017).
Cynthia Umezulike, Human Rights Based Approach: Critical Perspective in the Understanding of the Meaning-Centered Anorexic Body. Young Human Rights Lawyer Journal, (2017). 3YHRL

Books and Edited Volumes

Cynthia Umezulike Ph.D, Book Editor: ‘Hon Justice Innocent Umezulike: The New Wigs and the Challenges of Legal Practice in Nigeria – Revised and Enlarged’, Cecta Publishing House, 2022.
Cynthia Umezulike Ph.D, Assistant Book Editor: ‘Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike: A Chronicle of Leading Judgements.’ UCLJ (Vol. 1), 2019.
Cynthia Umezulike PhD, ‘The Death of Mother: An Ogbanje Story’, Troubador Publishing Ltd, 2024.

Other Published Work

Cynthia Umezulike, ‘Black Lives Matter: Breaking the Cycle of Silence on Social Media and Beyond’. The Cable Newspaper. 2020.
Cynthia Umezulike, ‘The Irony of the Wheels of Justice’. – The Guardian Newspaper, Vanguard Newspaper and This Day Newspaper. 2022
Cynthia Umezulike, Ph.D, ’10 Hacks for Self-Empowerment: Take Back Control of Your Life With These Simple Guides, Sustain X 2022.
Cynthia Umezulike, Ph.D, ‘Redrawing the Values of Liberal Feminism in the Modern Age’.

Certification and Training

Equality and Diversity Certification – CPD College
Amnesty International in partnership with Edx: Human Rights: The Rights to Freedom of Expression. February – May 2019. Training covered human rights obligations, differentiating violations, and identifying crucial elements of human rights protection and obligation.
Amnesty International in partnership with Edx: Psychology of Political Activism: Women Changing the World. May – September 2018. Training in global activism and engagement in the psychological theories that motivates individual and collective actions.
Birkbeck, University of London Graduate Research School: July-2017. Training on Teaching Arts in Higher Education.