Biography:

Tamta Mikeladze is an associate professor at Ilia State University, where she teaches legal theory, human rights law, and issues of religious freedom and secularism. She is one of the founders and a board member of the Social Justice Center (formerly the Human Rights Education and Monitoring Center (EMC)), a civil society organisation focusing on human rights and social justice. She directs an equity programme that addresses the exclusion of non-dominant ethnic and religious groups, women and the protection of LGBT rights, as well as peace and human rights in conflict regions. The programme uses research, the promotion of critical knowledge production, advocacy and strategic litigation. As Program Director, her responsibilities include strategic development, vision and agenda setting, financial resource mobilisation, and substantive and strategic support and coordination of program activities.

Professional Experience:

• 2015-present: Associate Professor – Ilia State University
• 2009-2013: Strategic Litigation Lawyer at the European Court of Human Rights and Human Rights Researcher – Young Lawyers Association
• 2009: Advisor – National Security Council
• 2005-2009: Adviser – Ministry of Justice of Georgia at the European Court of Human Rights in the Department of State Representation

Education:

• 2006-2008: Faculty of Law, Master of Public Law – Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
• 2002-2006: Faculty of Law, Bachelor – Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University

Publications:

• 2020: Religion, Politics and Social Contexts – Collection of studies, reports and articles – Research Project Director
• 2018: The problem of identity among the Azerbaijanis of Kvemo Kartli and its political and social dimensions – Research Project Coordinator
• 2018: Under the Eye of Security: History, Politics and Religion in the Pankisi Gorge – Research Project Coordinator
• 2017: Repression Beyond Borders: Displaced Citizens from Azerbaijan in Georgia – Report Coordinator in Georgia
• 2017: Public Defender as a Mechanism of Equality – Research Manager and Co-author
• 2017: Freedom of Religion – Criticism of Discriminatory and Non-Secular State Policies – Research Manager and Co-author
• 2014: Non-recognition, inaction and repression in exchange for housing – Analysis of the legal status and state policies of socially vulnerable homeless families who have broken into state facilities – Research Manager and Co-author
• 2013: The Crisis of Secularism and Loyalty to the Dominant Religious Group (The Role of the State in Resolving Religious Conflicts in Georgia in 2012-2013) – Research Director and Author
• 2011: Analysis of the Facts of Human Rights Violations During the Collapse of the 26 May Rally – Report Leader and Co-author

Courses:

• Introduction to Law: Ilia State University – 2015 to present – Bachelor’s program
• Human Rights Law: Ilia State University – 2015 to present – Bachelor’s Program
• Freedom of Religion and Secularism – Legal Perspectives: Ilia State University – 2017 to present – Master’s Program