Dr. Donn Short, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Law, is at the helm of the new Canadian Journal of Human Rights, a first of its kind academic journal in Canada. The CJHR, a creation of the Faculty of law, will publish its first volume in 2011. This interdisciplinary, peer reviewed journal seeks to spark discussion and promote the best academic work in human rights. Short is well suited to the role of editor-in-chief of the CJHR as his teaching and research focus on human rights and the law.

Short's research, teaching and advocacy are specifically focused on issues of bullying and safe schools, with a particular concern for the ability of queer youth to access a safe and equitable education in schools. Short's teaching areas include human rights law, trusts, law and education, bullying, safe schools legislation and policies, school violence, youth culture, legal pluralism and sexuality and the law.

Short has written a number of dramatic works dealing with themes of youth and youth violence, including "Full Frontal Diva", "The Winter Garden" and "Accidental Clarity." Short is a member of PEN Canada, an association of writers and advocates demanding freedom of expression in Canad and around the world.

Short's human rights work has also extended to volunteer work in a number of areas. Short has worked with Project Angel Food in Los Angeles, the Gay and Lesbian archives in Toronto and various gay and lesbian organizations in Vancouver. Short has volunteered for Pro Bono Students Canada and the PWA Legal Clinic in Vancouver, providing legal services and advice for persons with HIV/AIDS. Short has also worked with barbara findlay in Vancouver to eliminate provisions from the Criminal Code that allow for lighter sentences through the "homosexual panic defence". Short's new role as editor-in-chief of the CJHR is thus a natural extension of his research, teaching and volunteer work in recent years.

For more on the journal, visit its website.

Short is part of a team awarded a multi-year Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant to support a national survey of Canadian teachers’ perspectives on homophobia and transphobia in grades 7 through 12.