This cluster focuses on research into historical atrocities, as well as initiatives aimed at redressing the impacts and legacies of these atrocities. The cluster will also explore contemporary human rights abuses and peacebuilding efforts through the study of collective memory. Cluster projects examine atrocities arising from slavery, colonialism, genocides, war crimes, discrimination and violence against women, labour and minority rights violations, and state repression. Projects also explore institutional efforts to address historical and contemporary human rights abuses, including but not limited to truth commissions, policy reforms, apologies, memorials and commemorations.

This research cluster focuses on post-conflict peacebuilding, democratic transition processes, and restorative justice initiatives in the context of states, criminal justice and school systems. These include studies of societies in transition, political and social re-integration and economic reforms in environments of transition.

This cluster focuses on research on local and global social/environmental justice initiatives and movements, including how these initiatives inform and are informed by social-ecological systems, communities and cultural expression. CHRRJ members working within this cluster are involved in research on a wide range of cultural forms, organizations and actors that contribute to the expression of social justice issues, conflict and conflict resolution, and political and social activist movements. Cluster members document and explore representations of racism, bigotry, intolerance, and xenophobia in literature, film and media. Projects under this cluster also include research on political crises, migration and new migrant experiences, critical race theory, critical disability studies, sustainability and environmental justice.