In this special extended episode of Humanities Matter, we take a closer look at Autonomous Weapons Systems and the legal frameworks surrounding their use. 

What exactly defines an autonomous weapon? Can an individual be held legally responsible for the consequences of deploying such a weapon? And can international law keep pace with the rapid rise of AI-driven weaponry?

We answer all these questions and more in the first half of this episode with Dr. Barry de Vries, author of Individual Criminal Responsibility for Autonomous Weapons Systems in International Criminal Law, which is volume 65 in “International Human Law Series” published by De Gruyter Brill. 

Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want us to address a specific theme in the future? Write to us at [email protected].

Host: Ramzi Nasir
Guest: Dr. Barry de Vries

In this episode of Humanities Matter, we dive into human rights and humanitarian law development in Asia, exploring current regional challenges, persisting colonial legacies, external geopolitical pressures, and the push for greater accountability against selective enforcement.

All this and more with Dr. Matthias Vanhullebusch, co-editor of volumes 7, 8, and 9 of “The Asian Yearbook of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law”, published by Brill.

Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want us to address a specific theme in the future? Write to us at [email protected].

Host: Ramzi Nasir
Guest: Dr. Matthias Vanhullebusch

This month on Humanities Matter, we take a closer look at a groundbreaking environmental human rights law being developed in Latin America and the Caribbean. What is it? How is it connected to the Escazú Agreement and the American Convention on Human Rights? And how could these developments shape the global conversation on indigenous rights, property laws, sustainable development, and environmental justice?

All this and more with Dr. Mario Aguilera, author of the new book Environmental Human Rights: New Thinking from Latin America and the Caribbean—which is part of the series “Theory and Practice of Public International Law”, published by Brill.

Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want us to address a specific theme in the future? Write to us at [email protected].

Host: Ramzi Nasir
Guest: Dr. Mario Aguilera

In this episode of Humanities Matter, we look at the role of regenerative agrourbanism in creating sustainable urban living spaces. How can urban agriculture boost local economies and enhance community well-being? Is it possible to strike a balance between urban aesthetics and food supply? And can restoration design truly heal damaged landscapes and rejuvenate cities?

We answer these questions and more with Dr. Robert L. France, author of Regenerative agrourbanism: Experiencing edible placemaking transforming neglected or damaged landscapes, lives, and livelihoods, published by Brill.

Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want us to address a specific theme in the future? Write to us at [email protected].

Host: Ramzi Nasir
Guest: Dr. Robert L. France

In this episode of Humanities Matter, we explore various aspects of adult education, including the influence of Paulo Freire's critical pedagogy, impact of environmental education on social change, and challenges and opportunities when it comes to decolonizing education. We also discuss inclusivity in educational practices, and explore what adult education for a sustainable future looks like.

All this and more with Dr. Bonnie Slade, Dr. Peter Mayo, and Dr. Thi Bogossian, editors of the new book Adult Education and Difference, which is volume 36 in the series “International Issues in Adult Education” published by Brill.

Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want us to address a specific theme in the future? Write to us at [email protected].

Host: Ramzi Nasir
Guests: Dr. Bonnie Slade, Dr. Peter Mayo, and Dr. Thi Bogossian

It’s pride month!

In this episode, we discuss the importance of an intersectional approach to research, the role of adult educators in fostering inclusive learning environments, the power of pop culture in addressing gender and sexuality issues, the homogenisation of the heterogenous trans community, and the rise of rainbow capitalism. We also tackle an important question: When does diversity stop being enough?

We speak with Dr. Bonnie Slade, volume editor, and Dr. Ksenija Joksimović and Lidiane Castro, chapter authors of the ‘Gender and Sexuality’ section, of the new book Adult Education and Difference—which is volume 36 in the series International Issues in Adult Education published by Brill. 

Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want us to address a specific theme in the future? Write to us at [email protected].


Host: Ramzi Nasir
Guests: Dr. Bonnie Slade, Dr. Ksenija Joksimović, and Lidiane Castro

In this episode of Humanities Matter, we explore how partnerships among schools, communities, and higher education institutions can help disrupt inequitable social processes. We highlight the unique perspectives that Black educators bring to academic settings, talk about the power of a non-neutral stance in social justice, and understand the crucial role of rest in equity-oriented work. 

Listen to all this and more from Dr. Leanne M. Evans, Dr. Kelly R. Allen, and Dr. Crystasany R. Turner—volume editors of Advancing Critical Pedagogy and Praxis across Educational Settings, the 4th volume in the series Urban Education, Cultures and Communities published by Brill.

Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want us to address a specific theme in the future? Write to us at [email protected].

Host: Ramzi Nasir
Guests: Dr. Leanne M. Evans, Dr. Kelly R. Allen, and Dr. Crystasany R. Turner

As global crises have time and time again demonstrated, NGOs play an invaluable role in the protection and promotion of human rights. But what exactly does this role entail? How do NGOs fulfil their responsibilities while adapting to technological, commercial, and legal landscape shifts? And finally, who or what really constitutes a protector?

We answer these questions and more with Dr. Bertrand Ramcharan, Volume Editor of The Protection Roles of Human Rights NGOs, which is part of Brill’s “International Studies in Human Rights” series; Adrien-Claude Zoller, in whose honour the book was written; and Ms. Inès French, who was instrumental in the compilation of this book. 

If you like this podcast, have thoughts on the topic, or want us to address a specific theme in the future, write to us at [email protected].

Host: Ramzi Nasir
Guests: Adrien-Claude Zoller, Dr. Bertrand Ramcharan, and Ms. Inès French

In another special episode on Open Access, Brill’s Head of Open Research Stephanie Veldman speaks with Dr. Anthony Watkinson, author of "Open Access: A publisher's view" by Brill. 

Having worked in publishing for nearly five decades, Dr. Watkinson has been seen the Open Access movement unfold since its infancy. How has the movement developed since he wrote his article in 2006? What more can publishers do? How do publishers in the sciences and the humanities compare when it comes to enabling Open Access?

Listen to find out. 

Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want us to address a specific theme in the future? Write to us at [email protected].

Host: Stephanie Veldman
Guests: Dr. Anthony Watkinson

It’s open access week. So, this episode, we break down the concept of open access to research. Is it a basic human right? What’s its role in shaping global development? And how are technologies—both new and old—influencing a movement for it.

We speak with Professor John Willinsky, author of “Development and Open Access,” a chapter in Brill’s Critical Perspectives on International Education, and Professor Michael A. Peters, author of “Degrees of Freedom: Open Source, Open Access and Free Science,” a chapter in Knowledge Economy, Development and the Future of Higher Education published by Brill. 

Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want us to address a specific theme in the future? Write to us at [email protected].


Host: Ramzi Nasir
Guests: John Willinsky and Michael A. Peters