Zachary D. Kaufman, J.D., Ph.D., is a law professor and political scientist. His scholarly work (writing, teaching, and speaking) focuses on a range of issues in these two fields.

Professor Kaufman is the author or editor of three books: United States Law and Policy on Transitional Justice: Principles, Politics, and Pragmatics (Oxford University Press, 2016); Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities: Changing Our World (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2012); and After Genocide: Transitional Justice, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, and Reconciliation in Rwanda and Beyond (Oxford University Press, 2009). He is also the author of more than 40 articles and book chapters.

Professor Kaufman received his J.D. from Yale Law School (where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Yale Law & Policy Review), his D.Phil. (Ph.D.) and M.Phil., both in International Relations, from the University of Oxford (where he was a Marshall Scholar), and his B.A. in Political Science from Yale University (where he was the student body president).

For Professor Kaufman’s expanded biography, please see here.

Writing

United States Law and Policy on Transitional Justice

United States Law and Policy on Transitional Justice: Principles, Politics, and Pragmatics

“In this strikingly original and meticulously researched book, Dr. Zachary Kaufman argues that the United States has led in the creation of some crucial international criminal tribunals for prudential reasons. The book provides essential insights for all interested in preventing mass atrocity, most importantly that war crimes tribunals have been and can be a prudent policy option for the United States.”

Dr. Kathryn A. Sikkink,
Ryan Family Professor of Human Rights Policy, Harvard University Kennedy School of Government

Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities

Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities: Changing Our World

“How can anyone make a difference in a world marked by genocide, civil war, refugee crises, disease epidemics? With conscience, hope, and sweat equity, Dr. Zachary Kaufman and the other contributors to this book have offered aid, created organizations serving victims of human rights violations, and learned from set-backs and failures. Their insight into challenges of sustainable fund-raising, organizational design and management, and skepticism about young Western volunteers can inspire and instruct others who hope to address suffering and injustice through initiative, analysis, and commitment.”

Martha Minow,
Dean, Harvard Law School

After Genocide

After Genocide: Transitional Justice, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, and Reconciliation in Rwanda and Beyond

“This book should be labelled ‘for the mature individual only.’ But for that mature individual it is of extreme interest. It shows, far from any Manichean stereotyping, the many facets of having to try to live in an impossibly complex social and human situation. Highly recommended.”

Gérard Prunier,
The Rwanda Crisis: History of a Genocide

Upcoming Events

2023-03-27
George Washington University Law School

Lecture Title: “Police Policing Police” Venue: George Washington University Law School Date: Monday, March 27, 2023 Time: 12 pm

Read more

2023-04-07
Northeastern University

Lecture Title: “Transitional Justice” Lecture Format: Guest speaker, “International Relations” course taught by Professor Max Abrahams. Date: Friday, April 7, 2023 Time: 10 am EDT Venue: Northeastern University (Boston, Massachusetts)

Read more

2023-04-12
American Society of International Law

Lecture Title: “Lessons from Rwanda: Post-Genocide Law and Policy” Panel: “Remembering Rwanda” Panelists: Moderator: Georgia Bauer Participants: Zachary D. Kaufman Henriette Mutegwaraba Providence Umugwaneza Panel Description: TBD Co-Sponsors: University of Houston Law Center: Criminal Justice Institute International Law Society Initiative …

Read more

2023-04-13
Boston University School of Law

Lecture Title: “Police Policing Police” Lecture Honor: Kleh Visiting Professorship Lecture Venue: Boston University School of Law Date: April 13, 2023 Time: 12:45 pm

Read more

2023-04-26
Boston College Law School

Lecture Title: “International Criminal Law” Lecture Format: Guest speaker, “Criminal Law” course taught by Professor Elizabeth D. Katz. Date: Wednesday, April 26, 2023 Time: 1:30 pm EDT Venue: Boston College Law School

Read more

2023-06-01
Law & Society Association - 2023 Annual Meeting

Title: “Bystanders amid Atrocity Crimes” Conference: Law & Society Association: 2023 Annual Conference Panel: TBD Panelists: Chair: TBD Discussant: TBD Participants: Zachary D. Kaufman TBD Panel Description: TBD Date: June 2023 (exact date TBD) Time: TBD

Read more

Recent Updates


Declassified Documents

Through submitting Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to various U.S. government...

Read more

Publications

2016
United States Law and Policy on Transitional Justice

United States Law and Policy on Transitional Justice: Principles, Politics, and Pragmatics...

Read more


Transitional Justice Media

Over the years, transitional justice and related human rights issues have featured in many films...

Read more

Publications

2012-08-31
Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities

Social Entrepreneurship in the Age of Atrocities: Changing Our World "How can anyone make a...

Read more

After Genocide

Publications

2009-03-23
After Genocide

After Genocide: Transitional Justice, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, and Reconciliation in Rwanda...

Read more

Recent Tweets

Next week is #BeyondTheFTC: The Future of Privacy Enforcement! At @Harvard_Law and @IowaLawSchool. In person and virtual attendance is free. Registration and info here: https://ibl.law.uiowa.edu/beyond-ftc-future-privacy-enforcement @HarvardJOLT @IowaIBL @rishabn_

In my new op-ed, I argue that the #GeorgeFloyd Justice in Policing Act is insufficient. #Congress & all state legislatures should enact into #law a #police officer duty to intervene.

Free download at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4375803.

#TyreNichols #PoliceBrutality #PoliceReform

Load More...