Mahmoud Ahmed Begins Master of Human Rights Program and Joins ICGC as a Fellow
Mahmoud Ahmed, community outreach program and research coordinator at the James H. Binger Center for New Americans, has been named a fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Global Change (ICGC). Alongside this prestigious fellowship, Ahmed has begun a Master of Human Rights (MHR) degree at the University’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs, in collaboration with the College of Liberal Arts. These milestones reflect Ahmed’s commitment to advancing human rights through interdisciplinary research and advocacy.
At the Binger Center, Ahmed leads the Solitary Confinement Project, building on the work of Professor Linus Chan in carceral justice and representation of detained clients. The project seeks to reform and abolish solitary confinement in Minnesota’s jails and prisons by uniting legislators, policy experts, academics, and community leaders to advocate for meaningful change in the criminal justice system.
As an ICGC Fellow, Ahmed joins a distinguished group of scholars addressing global human rights and justice issues. The fellowship provides mentorship and resources that will enhance his research and advocacy efforts, enabling him to engage with both local and global challenges, including racial justice and migration.
Ahmed’s contributions to international human rights efforts include his involvement in multiple U.N. Special Rapporteur Reports. The first was the Report of the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement, which included a visit to Minneapolis as part of the United Nations’ Country Visit to the United States from April 24 to May 5, 2023. This initiative brought global attention to issues such as - “systemic racism, in law enforcement and the criminal justice systems, closing trust deficits, strengthening institutional oversight” - and has shaped Ahmed’s ongoing advocacy. His second contribution was to the U.N. Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants Report on Revisiting Migrants' Contributions from a Human Rights-Based Approach, further strengthening his commitment to advancing the rights and contributions of migrants at both national and international levels.
In addition to his advocacy, Ahmed has contributed to academic research. He collaborated with Columbia University on a study examining political polarization and its impact on societal divisions. This work was published in the article "The General Fault in Our Fault Lines" in Nature Human Behavior.
Ahmed’s pursuit of a Master of Human Rights degree deepens his expertise in human rights law and policy. The interdisciplinary, practice-based program equips students with the tools to lead human rights organizations and influence policy. Ahmed’s studies complement his work at the Binger Center, where he continues to drive policy reform and community outreach related to immigration and criminal justice.
Before joining the Binger Center, Ahmed worked as a Resettlement and Placement Case Manager at the International Institute of Minnesota, coordinating essential services for newly arrived refugees. He also co-founded the Sudanese American Collective, helping pass S.Res.188, a resolution supporting the Sudanese people’s pursuit of civil and sustainable democracy.
Ahmed’s identity as an African and a Muslim from Sudan shapes his dedication to human rights and social justice. Through his work at the Binger Center, his ICGC Fellowship, and his MHR studies, Ahmed is poised to make a significant impact on justice and equity, both locally and globally.
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