In this talk, based on the motivations that drive my interdisciplinary research, I reflect on my commitment to scholarship that serves the public good and why I see open access publishing as an important venue for this pursuit. My research examines how, when, and why images shape the pursuit of justice and human rights in institutional and legal contexts nationally and internationally. It unfolds at a critical time when the global circulation of videos documenting state violence, war, and conflict continues to provoke public discussions about whether and how images matter for justice. My work is thus informed by dialogues taking place both inside and outside the academy—namely at the intersection of media, law, and policy—about issues affecting the public. It is premised on the understanding that without systematic guidance and applications for treating images as evidence, human rights are disproportionately recognized and upheld. I believe this area of inquiry has the potential to impact people’s lives, so I see open access as an important mechanism for engaging academics and broader constituencies for public good on questions about visual evidence.

This event is part of the Exploring Equity in Open Scholarship Speaker Series, Open Access Week 2021.