Student spotlight: Kyra Jasper

Kyra Jasper is graduating from Stanford in 2023 with a degree in history and a minor in human rights. During her time at Stanford, she interned for a judicial reform NGO in Jakarta, Indonesia through a summer fellowship offered by the Center for Human Rights & International Justice. "The experience changed my life. I fell in love with my colleagues and the issues I was researching, and the experience prompted me to develop fluency in Bahasa Indonesia to be able to continue working in Indonesia," she said. "For my senior year, I actually returned to Indonesia to work at the same NGO, where I worked as a trial monitor for a case of alleged gross human rights violations in Indonesia's Human Rights Court."

In the interview below, Kyra discusses her research, her favorite class at Stanford, and her plans following commencement.  

What has been your favorite class at Stanford and why?

Doing Legal History was my favorite Stanford class. The class gave me the vocabulary and framework to understand "law" through its implementation and impact on society, rather than solely by its textual form. Professors Gienapp and Dorin had high expectations for our papers and the quality of the class discussion but were very supportive and gave concrete advice in helping my classmates and me to reach this standard.

What kind of research, course projects, or co-curricular activities did you participate in during your time at Stanford?

I worked for David Cohen on research pertaining to Ethiopia's legal pluralist and federalist systems, and the impact of these systems on gender equality. I also worked with Professor Cohen and the Indonesian Institute for an Independent Judiciary to trial monitor the first case of gross human rights violations to be tried before an Indonesian Human Rights Court in more than 17 years in Makassar, Indonesia last fall. I also founded and led the Stanford Southeast Asia Forum and Southeast Asia Journal – two initiatives that hope to encourage interest in and academic discourse on the region.

Tell us your favorite major/minor/program-related story or experience! Any adventures abroad or fascinating guest lectures?

My favorite memories at Stanford have involved being in community with the Center for Human Rights family. Going on a "Handa Hike" in Spring 2019 with center staff and students made me feel really at home at Stanford.

As you reflect on your time at Stanford, what are you most proud of?

I'm proud that I am leaving Stanford with a clearer sense of self, the friends I made, and greater empathy for those around me.

What are your plans after graduation?

I'll be pursuing a master of international law at the University of London SOAS as a 2023 Marshall Scholar.

How has your degree program changed your understanding of the world and prepared you for your next steps?

Through the history and human rights programs, I have learned to be critical of a single version of history, and to actively seek out different perspectives and experiences. In doing so, I've become more humble about what I think I know, and more curious and empathetic to learn from others and their viewpoints. I think these skills are useful as I continue to pursue a career in the human rights and law space, and as I continue to grow as a person.

Anything else you'd like to add?

I'm really grateful to the Center for Human Rights family—especially David Cohen, Penelope Van Tuyl, and Jessie Brunner—for their unwavering support of me over the last five years. All of the opportunities I've been afforded to live and work in Indonesia, and develop a passion for human rights law at Stanford, would not have been possible without their mentorship and encouragement through the peaks and valleys.