Brian Root, Ph.D.
ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS RESEARCH THROUGH SCIENTIFIC METHODS AND DATA ANALYSIS
I help organizations strengthen their research and advocacy by applying rigorous research methodology,
quantitative analyses and strategic design to research that monitors, measures and produces
evidence on human rights issues.
What I Do:
I{edf-custom_plain| DESIGN}
{695-custom_plain| MEASURE}
{38b-custom_plain| ANALYZE}
{ef6-custom_plain| REPORT}
{7ce-linkedin|Linkedin}
{30f-custom_plain|About Me}
{be5-custom_plain|Download CV}
{524-custom_plain|My Visual Resume}
I help organizations strengthen their research and advocacy by applying rigorous research methodology,
quantitative analyses and strategic design to research that monitors, measures and produces
evidence on human rights issues.
What I Do:
I{edf-custom_plain| DESIGN}
{695-custom_plain| MEASURE}
{38b-custom_plain| ANALYZE}
{ef6-custom_plain| REPORT}
{7ce-linkedin|Linkedin}
{30f-custom_plain|About Me}
{be5-custom_plain|Download CV}
{524-custom_plain|My Visual Resume}
ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS RESEARCH THROUGH SCIENTIFIC METHODS AND DATA ANALYSIS
I help organizations strengthen their research and advocacy by applying rigorous research methodology,
quantitative analyses and strategic design to research that monitors, measures and produces
evidence on human rights issues.
What I Do:
I
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DESIGN
- Research Design and Research MethodsQuality research begins at the design phase. There is an appropriate methodology for every research goal and finding the correct balance between complexity and validity is essential to design. I advise on research methodology selection, guided by the strengths and limitations of various research methods.
Work Example:
I am currently designing the Academic Freedom Index for the Scholars at Risk Network. It aims to measure levels of academic freedom and respect for the human rights of higher education stakeholders around the globe.
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Measure
- Monitoring, evaluation and measurement are for several reasons:
First, M & E of programs and interventions are necessary for measuring impact and gaining knowledge and insight. Second, the monitoring of human rights situations and the collection of events-based data on human rights violations.
Work Example: Lead researcher for Feasibility Study for Improved Global Monitoring of Attacks on Education
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ANALYZE
- Descriptive statistics can be powerful evidence of rights violations if used properly.
I seek to utilize quantitative data in producing evidence of rights violations and producing
Work Examples:
Data analysis in Human Rights Watch report on US immigration detention transfers: A Costly Move
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REPORT
- Reporting research for advocacy:An essential goal of human rights research is advocacy. Policy will only be influenced through compelling research findings.My writing and data visualization effectively communicates evidence of violations in order to inform a variety of publics.
Work Example:
Co-author of Human Rights Watch report on immigration detention: Forced Apart (By the Numbers)
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Info
- Consultant specializing in Human Rights Research Methodology and AnalysisInternational Affairs | Greater New York City Area, USSummaryBrian Root has worked in human rights, public health and international development research for a number of years. His interests are on the use of diverse research methodologies and quantitative analysis in human rights research. His analyses and reports on human rights abuses for organizations such as Human Rights Watch have been cited in domestic and international policy hearings and have garnered international press. He has conducted field research with vulnerable populations in Guatemala, Sri Lanka and post-Katrina New Orleans. He received his Ph.D. in International Development from Tulane University Law School.Specialties: Research Methodology & Design; Quantitative Analysis; Human Rights Research; Monitoring and Evaluation; Writing/Reporting; Immigration Policy; Children's Rights; Education in Emergencies; Children Affected by Armed Conflict; Public Health; Descriptive Statistics; Data VisualizationExperience
- Mar 2012 - PresentConsultant / Scholars at Risk NetworkDesign, develop and implement the Academic Freedom Index (AFI). The AFI is a standards-based measurement tool that measures levels of academic freedom around the globe. It provides comparable spatial, temporal, and annual country-scores that make it a valuable tool to compare levels of academic freedom between countries and over time.
- Nov 2010 - PresentResearch Associate / The Columbia Group for Children in AdversityResearch Associate offering technical assistance to governments, operational agencies, and policymakers. Recent projects include co-authoring 150-page Feasibility Study for a Global Monitoring System for Attacks on Education (attacks on students, teachers, and education infrastructure in fragile and conflict zones). Produced typologies of attacks and responses to attacks, mapped current monitoring systems, identified monitoring data needs and methodologies. Generated prescriptive recommendations on how to strengthen the monitoring of attacks and build a monitoring information network.
- Mar 2008 - PresentConsultant / Human Rights WatchConduct research documenting human rights violations. Utilize quantitative analyses and descriptive statistics to produce evidence of rights abuses. Advise researchers on research methodology and data analysis. Research areas include: Immigration Policy; Women's Rights; Children's Rights.
- Jun 2008 - Feb 2010Research Assistant / Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical MedicineDeveloped age-specific global estimates of the burden of malaria mortality and morbidity used by the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group (WHO & UNICEF) and the Global Burden of Disease projects in their final 2005 estimates. Researched and authored 41-page report on determinants of insecticide-treated net use and gap between net ownership and use for the Alliance for Malaria Prevention. Presented findings at the International Federation of Red Cross in Geneva.
- Sept 2007 - Mar 2008Vulnerable Populations Fellow / UC Berkeley Human Rights CenterFellowship advising Human Rights Watch on research methodology. Developed organization-wide protocols and training for writing methodology sections of Human Rights Watch reports. Devised internal strategies for HRW to monitor and evaluate research and impact.
- Jun 2006 - Dec 2006Researcher / Partners in Solidarity
- Sept 2005 - Dec 2005Research Assistant / International Center for Ethnic Studies
Education-
2008 - 2012Tulane University Law SchoolPh.D. in International Development
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2005 - 2007Tulane UniversityMaster of Science in International Development
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1996 - 2001University of California, San DiegoBachelor of Arts in Writing
Additional Information-
Websites:
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About Me
- I consult with organizations seeking to expand human rights research beyond the traditional testimonial interview. The questions I am most interested in include: How are human rights measured? How can descriptive statistics be used as evidence of human rights violations? When can scientific research methods enhance human rights research? Can data visualizations increase the impact and advocacy opportunities of reports?
I received my Ph.D. in International Development from Tulane University. My Ph.D. dissertation was an expansion of analyses I conducted with colleagues at HRW. It demonstrated the utility of record linkage methods in human rights analyses of US immigration enforcement data.
In earlier, simpler times I have been: a malaria researcher; an English teacher in rural high schools in Shikoku, Japan; a non-fiction writing TA; a drummer; a substitute 7th grade science teacher; a college radio music director; and an Arabic student in Cairo.
My other interests:
I tend towards the fanatical regarding music and record collecting. I have even gone as far as cataloging my collection. Here are some mixes I've done.
A good weekend will be spent food-based adventuring. I prefer to have conversations over cocktails.
The only team I truly care about is the San Jose Sharks hockey club.
I am a fifth-generation Californian. I adore New Orleans. I live in New York City with my wife.
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Download CV
- Download my CV here.
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My Visual Resume
- My resume, visualized.
