Grace Chen

Grace Chen is an Associate Researcher at the Geneva Academy and works with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Dr Alice Edwards. In this position, Grace coordinates and provides research support for the mandate and assists in monitoring the trends and developments in the prohibition and prevention of torture and other ill-treatment. Her current research areas include the regulation of trade in torture equipment and equipment capable of being misused for torture, the detention of asylum seekers and migrants, and state diplomacy.

Prior to joining the Geneva Academy, Grace sat as a tribunal judge on the Human Rights Tribunal of British Columbia where she adjudicated and mediated discrimination complaints against public-facing entities. Grace is a Canadian-qualified barrister and solicitor and has practiced in public and private areas of law such as children protection, workers compensation, and trial advocacy.

Grace holds a Masters in International Human Rights Law from Oxford University in the United Kingdom (2022), a Bachelor of Laws from the University of British Columbia in Canada (2005), and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Psychology from Simon Fraser University in Canada (2002).