John Packer

Background

About John Packer

John Packer is Associate Professor of Law in the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa. From 2014 through June 2025, he was Director of the Human Rights Research and Education Centre and, from April 2018 through August 2025, was the inaugural Neuberger-Jesin Professor of International Conflict Resolution in the Faculty of Law at the University of Ottawa (Canada). He previously taught at the Fletcher School (Tufts University, USA) and the University of Essex (UK), held Fellowships at Cambridge and Harvard Universities, and has lectured at academic and professional institutions around the world. Over his 35-year career, he was an inter-governmental official for 20 years (UNHCR, ILO, OHCHR, UNDPA, OSCE) and has advised numerous governments, communities and other actors in over fifty countries. In 2012-2014, he was the Constitutions Expert on the UN’s Standby Team of Mediation Experts. The focus of his research and practice is at the inter-section of human rights (including minority rights) and security, notably conflict prevention and quiet diplomacy, international mediation, transitional arrangements, and institutional developments at domestic and multilateral levels.