Ana Beduschi

Ana Beduschi is a Professor of Law at the University of Exeter and a Senior Research Fellow at the Geneva Academy. She is currently the Director of SCuLE, Science, Culture and the Law at Exeter.

Her research and teaching focus on international human rights law, technology, digital law, data protection and privacy, and international migration and refugee law. Her recent publications examine the impact of artificial intelligence for humanitarian action, the opportunities and challenges presented by digital identity and Covid-19 certificates for the protection of human rights, and the implications of big data and artificial intelligence for international migration and human rights law. 

She leads research projects on the following topics: Artificial Intelligence in international migration; Digital technologies in the humanitarian context; Disruptive technologies and rights-based resilience; Human rights implications of Covid-19 health status certificates. 

She holds a PhD in Law (2011) from the University of Montpellier 1, France. She also received an LLB degree in Law (in 2003), an LLM degree in International and European Law (Maîtrise, in 2004), and an LLM degree in European Human Rights Law (Master 2, in 2005) from the University of Montpellier 1, France. She also holds an LLB degree in Law from the UNESP (University of the State of São Paulo, Brazil) obtained in 2000. She has been a registered Attorney-at-Law in São Paulo, Brazil, since 2001. 

Research Interests

Ana is interested in International Human Rights Law, Technology (including big data and artificial intelligence) and Data Protection and Privacy and International Migration. 

Select Outputs

A. Beduschi. ”Taking stock of COVID-19 health status certificates: Legal implications for data privacy and human rights“, Big Data & Society, 2022.  Abstract. DOI.  

M. McAuliffe, J. Blower, A. Beduschi. Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in Migration and Mobility: Transnational Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic“, Societies,11(4), 135-135, 2021.  Abstract. DOI.   

A. Beduschi. ”Rethinking Digital Identity for Post-COVID-19 Societies: Data Privacy and Human Rights Considerations“, Data & Policy, 2021.DOI.  

A. Beduschi. “ International Migration Management in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”,Migration Studies, 9(3), 576–596, 2021.DOI. 

A. Beduschi. Digital Identity: Contemporary Challenges for Data Protection, Privacy and Non-Discrimination Rights“, Big Data and Society, 2019.  Abstract.DOI.  

A. Beduschi.  ”The Big Data of International Migration: Opportunities and Challenges for States under International Human Rights Law“, Georgetown Journal of International Law, 49, 981-1017, 2018.

A. Beduschi. ”Vulnerability on Trial: Protection of Migrant Children’s Rights in the Jurisprudence of International Human Rights Courts“, Boston University International Law Journal, 36(1), 55-85, 2018.  Abstract.

Select Conference Appearances

Harnessing data innovation for migration policy in Europe and Africa, IOM, 29 November 2021.

‘Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies at the Border: Migration and Human Rights Considerations‘, Artificial Intelligence and Social Justice, B’AI Global Forum at the University of Tokyo, 24 August 2021.

Priorities for building robust digital identity infrastructures – transparency, accountability, and data minimisation‘, Westminster eForum policy conference – Biometrics and digital identity, 21 July 2021.

Human Rights Conversations – Covid-19 Certificates: What are the Human Rights Implications?, Geneva Human Rights Platform, 6 July 2021.

Digital Dilemmas Debate #1 – Balancing the benefits and risks of digitalization in public health emergencies, ICRC, 1 February 2021.

Select Media Appearances

Dr Beduschi speaking to CNN International about Covid-19 Digital Health Passport, CNN – Newsroom with Kim Brunhuber, 2 March 2021.

Do we need coronavirus ‘vaccine passports‘ to get Europe moving again? Euronews asks the experts, Euronews, 25 February 2020.

Vaccine travel pass will be readywithin weeks, The Telegraph, 23 February 2021.

New Coronavirus Variants Postpone Recovery Of Leisure Travel, NPR radio, 16 February 2021.

L’Estonie teste des passeports de vaccination pour le monde entier, Le Figaro, 10 February 2021.

To Fly Again: Show Your Digital Health Passport, Wall Street Journal, 1 February 2021.

VIDÉO. Covid-19 : tout comprendre aux débats sur le passeport vaccinal, L’express, 17 January 2021.

Coronavirus: WHO against vaccine passports as a condition for travel ‘for the time being, Euronews, 15 January 2021.

Vaccins contre le Covid-19 : trois questions sur le ‘passeport vert’, Le Parisien, 17 December 2020.

Tech Tent: Who wants a digital vaccine passport?, BBC, 4 December 2020.

Covid: WHO looks at possible ‘e-vaccination certificates’ for travel, The Independent, 3 December 2020.

No jab? You’re barred! Bars, restaurants, cinemas and sports venues could turn away anyone who hasn’t had a Covid-19 vaccine, minister warns, The Daily Mail, 30 November 2020.

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