Brenda Efurhievwe

All Disciplines Award, Columbia University - Human Rights Law

Brenda Efurhievwe is a human rights activist and aspiring barrister. “Nigerian by blood, Polish by nationality and British by experience”, she was drawn to the Fulbright Programme due to her high regard for the benefits of intercultural exchange. Brenda obtained a first-class honours LLB in the UK and went on to work as an Asylum Caseworker at UK Visas & Immigration. Witnessing the practical application of the Refugee Convention and its effect on asylum seekers motivated her to undertake research in this field, with a view of influencing asylum policy and practice in the future. Brenda’s research interests focus on refugee law, LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice. She is currently providing remote assistance as a Volunteer Asylum Lawyer with European Lawyers in Lesvos, while continuing to act in the organising committee of Black Protest Legal Support. At Columbia Brenda hopes to benefit from clinical practice in immigration and human rights, while continuing her research into the means of avoiding the current catch-22 mechanism inherent in applying for refugee status. In her spare time Brenda enjoys participating in improv classes, travelling, swimming, cycling and attending the theatre.