UCLA professor and CSWAC Member E. Tendayi Achiume awarded MacArthur Fellowship
Posted by UCLA Newsroom, Natalie Monsanto | October 4, 2023
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E. Tendayi Achiume, a renowned law professor at UCLA School of Law and member of CSW’s advisory committee, has been honored with a prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, which includes an $800,000 grant over five years. Her selection is a testament to her remarkable contributions in the fields of international human rights and racial justice. Achiume’s research has centered on critical topics such as global governance of racism and xenophobia and the ethical ramifications of colonialism in contemporary international migration. Notably, from 2017 to 2022, she held the distinguished position of United Nations’ special rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, making history as the first woman to assume this role.
Achiume’s work is defined by her dedication to challenging and reimagining unjust legal systems, highlighting both the potential for justice and the perpetuation of injustices within the law. She advocates for the incorporation of marginalized nations and communities into global frameworks, ensuring their voices are an integral part of decision-making processes.
Her personal experiences, marked by frequent relocations due to family and economic factors, have provided her with a unique perspective on the significance of borders and their impact. This perspective led her to critically examine the role of the law in perpetuating injustices and ultimately drove her to pursue a career in academia.
Achiume intends to utilize her MacArthur Fellowship to continue bridging the gap between marginalized communities and centers of legal and political power. Her goal is to address the exclusionary nature of current legal systems and promote policies informed by the experiences and knowledge of those affected by racial subordination and border-related violence.
The MacArthur Fellowship acknowledges her exceptional contributions to international human rights and racial justice, commitment to rethinking the role of the law, and her tireless efforts to amplify the voices of marginalized communities.
