About
University of Geneva
Steven J. BARELA is currently a Senior Research Fellow at the Global Studies Institute and a member of the law faculty at the University of Geneva. He has taught at the Korbel School of International Studies at Denver University, and lectured for l’Université Laval (Québec), Sciences Po Bordeaux, UCLA and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
He began his university education of Spanish language, literature and culture in the United States, leading him to study in Madrid and Valladolid, Spain. Next, his scholastic career continued in Paris, France (French language, art and culture), Albuquerque, New Mexico (Latin American Studies) and Mexico D.F., Mexico (Spanish language, art and literature).
After becoming trilingual, he enriched this initial education with studies in international relations and political philosophy at the University of Denver; bringing him to Geneva where he obtained his third masters (LL.M.) in the field of international humanitarian law and human rights, and finally completed a Ph.D. in law with the highest distinction, “mention très bien” (equivalent to summa cum laude).
Language Skills
English: mother tongue, Spanish: fluent, French: fluent
Education
| March 2012 | Ph.D. Degree in Law, “Mention très bien” (equivalent to summa cum laude) – Faculty of Law, University of Geneva, International Law & Political and Legal Philosophy |
| May 2009 | LL.M. Degree – Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, University of Geneva & Graduate Institute of Int’l Studies |
| August 2005 | M.A. Degree in International Studies – Graduate School of Int’l Studies, University of Denver2004-5 – Study Abroad at Faculty of Law, University of Geneva, Switzerland |
| May 1998 | M.A. Degree in Latin American History and Literature – Latin American and Iberian Institute, University of New Mexico1995 – Study Abroad at the Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico D.F. |
| August 1994 | Bachelors Degree in Spanish Language & Literature – Iowa State University1993-1994 – Study Abroad at the British Institute of Paris, France1991-1992 – Study Abroad at the University of Valladolid, Spain1991 – Independent Study Abroad in Madrid, Spain |
Employment
Current Academic and Advisory Positions
| 2020- | Senior Research Fellow, Global Studies Institute, University of Geneva Editor and Senior Advocate, Universal Protocol on Non-Coercive Interviewing, Launched by former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, JuanMendez
Funded by Swiss National Science FoundationGrant |
| 2015- | Series Editor for “Emerging Technologies, Ethics and International Affairs” at Routledge Publishing |
| 2018- | Member of Advisory Council – Initiative to develop a Universal Protocol (universal standards) for non-coercive interviewing, launched by former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Juan Mendez in 2016 |
Previous Positions
| 2013-2019 | Assistant Professor, Global Studies Institute/Faculty of Law, University of Geneva |
| 2012-2013 | Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva |
| 2008-2011 | Doctoral Assistant, Dept. of Legal History and Politics, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva |
| 2005-2008 | Research Assistant, University Forum 2005-8: “Democracy and Terrorism”, Faculty of Law, University of Geneva |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Books
Lead Editor with M. Fallon, G. Gaggioli and J.D. Ohlin – Interrogation and Torture: Integrating Efficacy with Law and Morality (Oxford University Press, 2019).
Sole Editor – Legitimacy and Drones: Investigating the Legality, Morality and Efficacy of UCAVs (Ashgate, 2015).
Monograph – International Law, New Diplomacy and Counterterrorism: An Interdisciplinary Study of Legitimacy (Routledge, 2014).
Refereed Publications (journal articles and book contributions)
“Programming Precision? Requiring Robust Transparency for AWS” with Avery Plaw in Lethal Autonomous Weapons: Re-Examining the Law & Ethics of Robotic Warfare (Oxford University Press, forthcoming 2020).
“Understanding Disinformation Campaigns in the 21st Century” with Jérôme Duberry in J.D. Ohlin & D. Hollis (eds.) Combating Election Interference: When Foreign Powers Target Democracies (Oxford University Press, forthcoming 2020).
“Measured Self-Help in the Disinformation Age” with Samuli Haatajain A. Sari & Milton Regan (eds.) Hybrid Threats in the Grey Zone: Mapping The Terrain (Oxford University Press, forthcoming 2020).
“Introduction: Legal, Moral and Effective Interrogation” with Jens David Ohlin in Interrogation and Torture (Oxford University Press, 2019).
“Reclaiming Bentham on Torture” in Interrogation and Torture (Oxford University Press, 2019).
“On Obama and Ill-treatment: Interdisciplinary Policy Against Torture’s Return” 20, 1 (2018) Human Rights Review 1.
“Introduction: Legitimacy as a Target” in Legitimacy and Drones (Ashgate, 2015).
“The Question of ‘Imminence’: Historical View on Anticipatory Attacks” in Legitimacy and Drones (Ashgate, 2015).
“Strategic Efficacy: The Opinion of Security and a Dearth of Data” in Legitimacy and Drones (Ashgate, 2015).
“Conclusion: Defending Legitimacy” in Legitimacy and Drones (Ashgate, 2015).
“Judicially Moderated Dialogue and the ‘War on Terror’” in L.Hennebel and H.Tigroudja (eds.) Balancing Liberty and Security: The Human Rights Pendulum (Wolf Legal Publishing, 2012).
“Preemptive or Preventive War: A Discussion of Legal and Moral Standards” (Winter 2004) 33, 1 Denver Journal of International Law and Policy 31.
Other Publications (articles, blog posts and book reviews)
Just Security Blog Post, “Disobeying Trump ‘Context and Consequences’ of Russian Ops” (September 27, 2018).
Just Security Blog Post, “What Is the Next Line of Defense Against Torture?” (June 26,2018).
Just Security Deep Dive Post, “Zero Shades of Grey: Russian-Ops Violate International Law” (March 29, 2018).
E-International Relations Post, “Obama’s Bulwark against Torture: Will It Stop Trump?” (March 15, 2017); reposted at CommonDreams.com.
Just Security Blog Post, “Campaign Promises of War Crimes: Now a Stain on the Military” with Amos Guiora (February 6, 2017).
“Bots, Trolls and Dezinformatsiya: The Continuing Russian Campaign to Divide the Democratic Party in the USA,” E-International Relations (September 27, 2017).
Just Security Deep Dive Post, “Cross-Border Cyber Ops to Erode Legitimacy: An Act of Coercion” (Jan 12, 2017).
Just Security Featured Post, “Are Drones Less Accurate than Piloted Aircraft?” with A. Plaw, (October 3, 2016).
“The Precision of Drones: Problems with the New Data and Claims on Civilian Casualties,” with A. Plaw, E-International Relations (August 23, 2016).
Just Security Featured Post, “The New US Anti-Torture Law: A Genuine Step Forward” (February 12, 2016).
“The U.S. Torture Memos and Democracy” (2016, No. 6) Geneva Hub for Democracy, Highlights.
Invited Review of J.D. Ohlin, K. Govern, and C. Finkelstein, Cyber War: Law and Ethics for Virtual Conflicts in (2016) 1 of 2, Journal of International Criminal Justice.
Just Security Blog Post, “The Imperative of a ‘Drone Court’” (October 28, 2015).
Just Security Guest Post, “Drone Courts–A Response to Professor Vladeck” with A. Guiora and J. Brand, Just Security (December 16, 2014).
“Justice, Peace and Jus Post Bellum” with A. Keller, Book Review of L. May, After War Ends: A Philosophical Perspective; D. Philpott, Just and Unjust Peace: An Ethic of Political Reconciliation; and E. Patterson (ed.), Ethics Beyond War’s End in (Summer 2014) 7, 1 Amsterdam Law Forum.
Editorial Assistance
| 2005 – 2008 |
Assistant Editor to A. Bianchi and A. Keller (eds.) Counterterrorism: Democracy’s Challenge (Hart Publishing, 2008). |
| 2004 – 2005 |
Research Assistant to A. Keller and P. Allan (eds.) What is a Just Peace? (Oxford University Press, 2006). |
Research and Teaching Topics
Technology and Security, Asymmetrical Conflict, Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles, Cyber Warfare, Terrorism and Counterterrorism, Legitimacy, Humanitarian Law, Human Rights Law, Use of Force in Int’l Law, Interdisciplinarity, Habeas Corpus, Just War, Torture, Political Violence and Non-Violence, Latin American History and Literature
Organizing & Coordinating International Conferences
| Dec 2019 | Co-Organizer – Launch Event Conference for Interrogation and Torture: Integrating Efficacy with Law and Morality, Human Rights Day at the University of GenevaView Entire Conference
Keynote Address by UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Nils Melzer 16 invitees, 11 international Sponsors: Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Swiss National Science Foundation, Conférence Universitaire de Suisse Occidentale, University of Geneva: Global Studies Institute, Faculty of Law, and Rectorate |
| Sept 2018 | Co-Organizer – Volume Preparation Conference for Interrogation and Torture: Integrating Efficacy with Law and Morality at the University of Pennsylvania, Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL)
23 international invitees Sponsors: Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law; Global Studies Institute and the Law Faculty of the University of Geneva |
| April 2016 | Lead Organizer – Launch Event, Legitimacy and Drones: Cross-Border Counterterrorism with UCAVs
Eight invitees, two international Sponsors: 1) La Société Académique de Genève; 2) University of Geneva; 3) Faculty of Law; 4) Global Studies Institute; 5) Geneva Academia of Int’l Humanitarian Law and Human Rights |
| Jan 2013 |
Lead Coordinator – Three-day Law Faculty Conference of Universities of Geneva, Harvard, Renmin (Beijing) and Sydney – On Property Law 27 invitees, 19 international Sponsors: Latsis Foundation; Hanban (Chinese Cultural Teaching) |
| Nov 2006 | Junior Coordinator – Three-day Conference on Democracy, Separation of Powers and the Fight against Terrorism
22 invitees, 17 international Sponsors: La Société Académique de Genève; the Graduate Institute (Geneva) Conference proceedings led to the publication: A. Bianchi and A. Keller (eds.), Counterterrorism: Democracy’s Challenge (Hart Publishing, 2008). |
Grants, Awards and Honors
| 2020 |
Swiss National Science Foundation, One Year Grant Funding for 12-month project: “Setting Universal Standards for Non-Coercive Interviewing” |
| 2012 |
Ph.D. Degree in Law, “Mention très bien” (equivalent to summa cum laude) –Faculty of Law, University of Geneva International Law & Political and Legal Philosophy |
| 2007-2008 |
Hans Wilsdorf Foundation Full Scholarship for the LL.M. degree at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights |
| 2004 |
United Nations International Law Seminar – Selected as the only U.S. participant of 24 worldwide attendees |
| 2002-2005 |
Full Academic Scholarship – Graduate School of International Studies, Denver University |
| 1998 |
Master’s Thesis, Latin American Studies – One Hundred Years to Sovereignty, Recognized with Distinction, University of New Mexico |
| 1989-1994 |
George Washington Carver Full Academic Scholarship – Iowa State University |