Human Rights Clinic Welcomes Social Justice Advocate and Founder Gulika Reddy as 2018-2020 Teaching Fellow

New York, December 19, 2018—Gulika Reddy, a human rights lawyer and the Founder and Director of Schools of Equality, an NGO that combats identity-based discrimination through educational programs in schools joined Columbia Law School’s Human Rights Clinic as a Clinical Teaching Fellow this semester.

“We are delighted to have Gulika Reddy join our team,” said Professor Sarah Knuckey, Clinical Professor of Law and the Director of the Human Rights Clinic. “Her unique experience at the intersection of peacebuilding and social justice advocacy and her deep skills in teaching and leadership will enrich the Clinic and inspire the next generation of human rights leaders.”

Reddy has been a passionate advocate for human rights and social change through several initiatives. She has worked with advocates, NGOs, and academic institutions to prevent and respond to gender-based violence by representing women in Court, conducting rights awareness and sensitization programs, reporting human rights violations, leading advocacy efforts, and mainstreaming human rights education in India.  

“Gulika Reddy's dedication to combating identity-based discrimination, as well as her expertise in human rights advocacy, will guide our students as they expand their skill-set through the Human Rights Clinic,” said Benjamin Hoffman, Lecturer-in-Law and Deputy Director of the Human Rights Clinic. “We are excited to welcome her to the Human Rights Institute's community."

Reddy is a graduate of Columbia Law School’s LL.M. Program and recipient of its LL.M. Human Rights Fellowship, and of Harvard Kennedy School where she was a recipient of the Dubin Fellowship for Emerging Leaders. She is excited to have returned this year as Clinical Teaching Fellow. “Having benefited immensely as a law school clinic student, I strongly believe in the role that clinical education plays in preparing students for a career in human rights and in influencing the future of human rights work,” Reddy said.

The Human Rights Clinic works to advance human rights through partnership with civil society and impacted communities, and prepares students for lifelong careers in social justice advocacy around the globe through a combination of seminars and project work, as well as mentorship by clinic professors and supervisors.

“The most exciting and rewarding aspect of my prior work was the opportunity to foster and mentor the next generation of social justice leaders,” says Reddy, who was recognized as one of the Davos 50 in 2016 by the World Economic Forum for her exceptional achievement and potential, and awarded the TalentNomics Global Emerging Game-Changer award for exemplary dedication to the empowerment of women and girls. “I am thrilled to be a part of developing the skills and leadership of our clinic students and to have this opportunity to learn from their persistence, courage, and creativity.”

As a Clinical Teaching Fellow, Reddy’s work at the Human Rights Clinic and Institute will include leading clinical projects, syllabus development, teaching, scholarly research and writing, and human rights programming in collaboration with the Institute and Clinic’s faculty and staff.