Rotary Scholar Alumna features in University Annual Report

Carson Smith studied at the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies in the Faculty of Law in Oxford

Carson Smith
Carson Smith

18th May 2023

This article was first published in the Annual Report for the Centre of Socio-Legal Studies for 2021-22. It is reproduced in full here with permission of the Centre Administrator and Carson.

Read other articles from the report on the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies webpages.

Carson Smith was a Rotary Scholar for 2019/20, funded by Rotary in Distirct 5170 in the USA and hosted by Oxford Rotary.

‘While at CSLS, I researched the structures and strategies of community mediation centres that navigate conflict across ethnic groups.  Upon finishing my MPhil at the Centre, I moved back to the United States and began a Conflict Resolution Fellowship at Stanford University. During this fellowship, I focused on the teaching, design and implementation of alternative dispute resolution strategies on Stanford’s campus. Throughout the autumn of 2021, I taught two courses for undergraduate and graduate students – an Indigenous Peacemaking course and a course on grievance structures used by academic institutions. Simultaneously, I partnered with campus administrators, faculty and students to map and redesign conflict resolution practices at the University. Finally, I helped lead mediation and restorative justice events for campus students, faculty and staff in need of support. 

I have also continued to sit on the Advisory Board for the Native American Rights Fund’s Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative. Through this organisation and in partnership with Indigenous organisations across the country, I co-chaired the 2021 Annual Peacemaking Colloquium, a gathering of alternative dispute resolution professionals as well as judges and community leaders from tribes in the United States. 

Currently, I am studying for my Juris Doctorate at Stanford Law School and was awarded the Knight-Hennessey Scholarship. My main area of focus is mediation and tribal law, and, in the future, I hope to use my skills and career to design community-based and culturally informed peacemaking processes in collaboration with Indigenous and tribal communities. I am so grateful for the mentors and peers I encountered while at CSLS. My time and research there have been critical to my career and further educational opportunities!’

Related pages...

newbury rotary members with hats

Baby Hats for New Born Babies in Ukraine

more John Philip talks about a project initiated by the International Rotary Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals and supported by members of Newbury Rotary

used with permission, from www.law.ox.ac.uk

Law, Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights; Connecting the Dots

more John Croker is a Rotary Scholar studying in the Faculty of Law at Oxford University. He featured in a new series highlighting research activity.

Meet the Scholars events - inspiring us to support our future leaders

more Six clubs hosted the Meet the Scholar events in November - here are reflections from all the clubs.

Rotarians and asylum seekers in Thatcham

Helping Asylum Seekers across our District

more three of the district teams are working together to raise the profile of support for refugees and asylum seekers

Misbourne Matins Rotary - support for Ukraine continues

more club members have held two more fundraising events

Successful Wrap Up Collection in Witney

more Witney Rotarians have supported Wrap Up UK for the first time

marlow young carers day

Family Fun Day for Marlow Young Carers

more back by popular demand after the two year covid break

members of Misbourne Matins

Support for Ukraine continues

more clubs are using Rotary Foundation grants to support families

girls using the new well at Banbury International Community School

Banbury Rotarian has raised a third of a million pounds for Sierra Leone projects

more .

Maryna Dolzhenko

Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland thanked for their support of Ukraine

more Professor Maryna Dolzhenko, Ukrainian Rotarian and Cardiologist, spoke about Rotary, the invasion of Ukraine and sharing cultures through cooking

Service Above Self Award for Haddenham Rotarian

more Martin Andrew was recognised for his work leading volunteers at a covid vaccination clinic

April, May & June 2022 News

more News in April, May & June 2022

March 2022 News

more News in March 2022

February 2022 News

more News in February 2022

January 2022 News

more The News from January 2022

December 2021 News

more The news from December 2021

Earlier 2021 News

more The news from before December 2021

back to page above this...

News from around the District

back stories from our Rotarians and clubs