Marilena Joyce Caviness

Skilled researcher with strong qualitative research and analytical skills, having conducted academic research at undergraduate and graduate level in the sociopolitical issues surrounding workers' rights, including just transitions, migrant workers, and transnational labour issues. I am particularly passionate about bridging the gap between workers, academics, and policymakers and empowering workers to participate in labour negotiations and democratic processes, and I am eager to contribute to initiatives advocating for the rights of workers and for a more social Europe.

30th European Society for Rural Sociology Congress (Navigating Rural Transitions: Exploring Liveable Futures) | 07/07/2025 - 11/07/2025 | Riga, Latvia

• Accepted, unable to attend: Oral presentation of master's research for the working group "The Political Dimensions of Rural Transformations. Exploring the Politicization of the Rural-Urban Divide and its Consequences for European Societies".

Human Rights Academic Voices

• Wrote article about my master's thesis for the UNIPD Human Rights Centre project spotlighting students' research: https://unipd-centrodirittumani.it/en/topics/analyzing-the-requirements-of-a-sustainable-worker-involved-just-transition

Padova Model UPR Secretariat - Team Lead for Communication Team, 31/03/2021 - 31/10/2021

• Management of the communication team for the 4th edition Padova Model UPR
• Ensure smooth coordination with the concept team
• Outreach and contact point for other universities, INGOs/NGOs, the OHCHR Human Rights Council President's team, applicants and participants
• Organized training sessions held by NGO representatives and the Human Rights Council President
• Led training and lobbying sessions for participants
• Managed social media campaign and university advertisements, and designed content
• Supported Arqus Alliance project with the University of Graz

Model UPR Handbook: A Guide to design and implement a Model UN featuring the Universal Periodic Review | 01/04/2021 - 01/10/2021

• Responsible for editing and proofreading for publication of the Handbook.

Padova Model UPR Participant - Researcher for Austrian Ombudsman Board | 31/07/2020 - 31/10/2020

• Researched human rights situation under AOB jurisdiction in the years following Austria's last review
• Drafted tailored reports and speech highlighting relevant human rights abuses
• Participated in Lobbying Sessions to advocate for recommendations made to the state of Austria

• University of Padova Human Rights Centre 2025 Winter School: "Human Rights and Democracy in the Era of New Challenges" | 10/03/2025 - 14/03/2025
• Online course "Training for Rural Economic Empowerment" - International Training Centre for the ILO
• CoE Jean Monnet Just Fossil Fuel Transition: International Conference on Climate Actions and Just Transition "Imagine Alternatives: Institutions, research, movements"

• Phi Sigma Iota, U.S. Foreign Languages National Honor Society | 30/11/2017 - Current
• Co-organized and worked cultural and educational events and fundraisers for the local community
• Wrote and edited articles for the Phi Sigma Iota newsletter

• President's List, 2017-2020 | University of South Alabama
• Recipient of Presidential Scholarship, 2017-2020 | University of South Alabama

English: Native; Italian and Spanish: B2