Shannon Weatherly Memorial Lecture featuring MSU Alum Erin Corcoran, Reclaiming Agency: A Feminist Critique of Refugee Protection

Refugee protection is rooted in the obligation of nation states to provide surrogate state protection to individuals whose countries of origin are unable or unwilling to provide such protection on the basis of the person’s race, religion, political opinion, nationality or membership in a particular social group. While this protection is codified in international treaties and domestic legislation, the application of

protection and the benefits that flow from refugee status are understood and more significantly realized in humanitarianism terms. While on its face humanitarian relief is altruistic, its application is problematic. Drawing on feminist theories, Corcoran argues that humanitarianism perpetuates patriarchal structures. Specifically, humanitarianism in the context of refugee protection relies on problematic binaries such as innocent and guilty. By solely focusing on addressing refugee crises and emergencies, humanitarianism ignores historical contexts and root causes contributing to forced migration. It is devoid of a rights-based framework centered on human agency and dignity. Rather, Corcoran posits what is needed is the elimination of labels that perpetuate dualistic paradigms and

instead, the development of shared justice demanding accountability and agency.

Erin B. Corcoran graduated with a BA from Montana State University in Philosophy, Religious Studies

and Women’s and Gender Studies, and completed her law degree at Georgetown University Law Center.

Her work has focused on immigration and refugee law, human rights law and other complex legal topics

at the national and local level. Corcoran currently serves as the Executive Director of the Kroc Institute

for International Peace Studies and as a faculty member at the Keough School of Global Affairs. She

oversees operations and staff administration at the Kroc Institute and gives leadership to the Institute’s

five-year strategic plan.

The Shannon Weatherly Lecture Series memorializes MSU alumna and Women’s Center volunteer,

Shannon Weatherly, who was tragically killed in a hunting accident near Gardiner in 1982. Shannon’s

passion for social justice and human rights is highlighted by the speakers featured in this lecture series. This event is sponsored by the MSU Women’s Center, VOICE Center, Office of the Dean of Students, Honors College and the HEART Initiative at MSU.