- Dr. Jennifer Heaven Mike is a scholar and creative writer whose work exists at the rich intersection of law, gender, human rights, and artistic expression. Her academic research is rooted in a critical exploration of the right to health, reproductive rights, environmental protection, climate change, and the gendered aspects of environmental governance. She investigates how legal, political, and cultural systems shape the lived experiences and agency of marginalized communities, with particular attention to women and gender-diverse individuals. Drawing on a global legal education and a nuanced understanding of cross-cultural dynamics, Dr. Mike's scholarship interrogates the limitations and possibilities within human rights frameworks. Her work frequently engages themes such as reproductive justice, migration, gendered labor, and the social and legal architecture of care. She is especially interested in how legal structures can both enable and constrain access to justice, and how narratives of power are constructed and contested in policy and practice.
- In parallel with her academic pursuits, Dr. Mike is an avid creative writer whose genres of choice include romance, fiction, and reimaginative poetry. Through her literary work, she explores emotional landscapes and cultural memories—love, longing, identity, displacement, and resilience. Her creative writing serves as both a complement to and a critique of formal scholarship, allowing her to give voice to experiences that defy legal categorization but remain central to human dignity. Dr. Mike’s dual commitment to scholarly rigor and artistic exploration reflects her belief in the transformative power of language. Whether writing on equitable leave policies or composing poems that reflect on silence and survival, she brings depth, empathy, and critical insight to all her work. Her current projects include inquiries into the relationship between law and morality, gender, law and development, feminist activism, and the narrative dimensions of transnational justice.
Jennifer Heaven Mike
Visiting Global Studies Scholar and Hampton and Esther Boswell Distinguished University Professor of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
jennifermike@depauw.eduStatement on Scholarly or Artistic Work
Educational Background
- 2017 University of Exeter, UK PhD
- 2012 London Metropolitan University, UK LLM
- 2011 Nigerian Bar school B.L
- 2009 University of Jos LL.B (Commercial and Maritime Law)
- 2003 University of Jos Diploma-in-Law
- TEACHING QUALIFICATION
- Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (LTHE) I & II
- Professional Diploma in Education (PDGE), College of Education Yola- 2020
- Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN)
Teaching Interests
Causes taught:
- International Human Rights Law
- Gender Law and Development
- Gender Law
- Womanism and Africanism
- Introduction to Human Rights
- Criminal Law
- Labor Law
- Intellectual Property Law
- Community Service Development (CSD)
- Introduction to Africana Studies
- Law and Morality Studies
- Evidence Law
- Contract Law
Research, Scholarly, Creative Work
Research and Publications:
Books
- Jennifer Heaven Mike, (2020), Women, Medicine and the TRIPS Agreement: Health and Human Rights in Nigeria Princeton & Associates Publishing Company Ltd.
- Jennifer Heaven Mike and Greg Uloko (2022), A Modern Approach to Intellectual Property Law in Nigeria Princeton & Associates Publishing Company Ltd.
- Jennifer Heaven Mike (2025) ‘Securing Access to Assisted Reproductive Technologies as a Human Right,’ The Law Digest Issue 34 Winter
- Jennifer Heaven Mike ‘An Exposition Of Africa’s Regional Environmental Laws, Policies And Systems For Safeguarding The Human Rights To A Clean, Healthy And Secured Environment (2024) 8 African Human Rights Yearbook 275-306 http://doi.org/10.29053/2523-1367/2024/v8a10; https://www.ahry.up.ac.za/mike-jh
- Jennifer Heaven Mike, (2024) A Concise Guide to Women’s Rights and Legal Protection in Nigeria' Journal of African Journal of Law and Human Rights African Journal of Law and Human Rights (AJLHR) 8 (2). https://journals.ezenwaohaetorc.org/index.php/AJLHR/article/view/2987
- Jennifer Heaven Mike (2024) China’s Investment in Africa: Exploring the Human Rights Dimensions’ China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies, 1-38
- Jennifer Heaven Mike and Yorm Abledu (2024) Grappling with Health Rights of Women in Climate Change-Induced Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations Journal of Climate Action, Research, and Policy, 2, 2450002. DOI: 10.1142/S2972312424500024
- Jennifer H Mike, (2023) ‘Incorporating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in Legal Education: Panacea for Development’ The Law Digest, Autumn Issue 31.
- Jennifer H Mike, (2023). Transforming Transnational Feminism from Theory to Practice: The Media as a Viable Tool of Engagement. Journal of Perspectives in Gender Development Vol 3, No1.
- Jennifer Heaven Mike, (2023) ‘Enhancing the Right to Health in Nigeria through Judicial Intervention’ Journal of African Law, (2023) 1-22. Cambridge University Press 09 June 2023. Doi:10.1017/S0021855323000116,
- Jennifer Heaven Mike (2022) ‘Carrots, Vaccines and Sticks: Critical Reflection Of Compulsory Vaccination From A Human Rights Perspective’, Rutgers International Law and Human Rights Journal (ILHR), Volume 3, Fall 2022, Issue. Available at 1 https://www.rutgers-ilhr-journal.org/fall-2022
- Jennifer Heaven Mike (2022) ‘Securing Human Security and the Right to Development in Nigeria’ RSU Department of Public Law Journal 10(2).
- Zahara Nampewo, Jennifer Heaven Mike & Jonathan Wolff, (2022). ‘Respecting, protecting and fulfilling the human right to health’ International Journal for Equity in Health volume 21 (36). Available at https://equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12939-022-01634-3
- Dr Jennifer Heaven Mike and Christopher Nwusulor (2022) Child Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse: Adopting A Rehabilitative and Restorative Approach to The Issue of Child-On-Child Sexual Offence. NILDS Journal of Law Review
- Jennifer H Mike & Matthew Godfree (2021). Analysis of The Measures Taken by Nigeria’s Government in Combating the Covid-19 Pandemic and The Effect on Human Rights, UJICL, Vol 2, 150.
- Jennifer Heaven Mike, (2020). Access to Essential Medicines To Guarantee Women's Rights To Health: The Pharmaceutical Patents Connection, The Journal of World Intellectual Property.
- Dr Jennifer Heaven Mike, (2020). Nurturing a Positively Sensitive and Inclusive Society: A Human Rights Framework for the Protection of Older Persons in Nigeria. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) IV (VI), ISSN 2454–6186.
- Jennifer Heaven Mike, (2020), ‘Treatment Not Prosecution: The (De) Criminalization of Attempted Suicide In Nigeria In Relation To Mental Health Issues. ABUAD Journal of Law, Vol 6, no 1.
- Dr Jennifer Mike & Dr Abdulhamid Muhammad. (2020). Impact of Female Teachers on Girl Child Education in The Primary School Level in Yola North and South Local Government Areas of Adamawa State. Journal of Education Research and Behavioral Sciences, 9(3), 040-061.
- Jennifer H. Mike, (2019) ‘A Re-evaluation of the Framework for The Protection of Patents, Women’s Health in Nigeria and The Issue of Access to Medicines’ Journal of World Intellectual Property, 22, 3-4, 162-204. https://doi.org/10.1111/jwip.12123
- Jennifer Heaven Mike (2024). ‘Penalising Passion: A Reflection on the Offence of Adultery in the Context of Cultural Relativism and Human Rights’ in (Anthony Diala (ed), Legal Pluralism and Marriages in Africa (Brill 2024) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004696747_012
- Jennifer Heaven Mike, (2023) 'Being the Premier Development University for Africa: A Case of the American University of Nigeria' in Insung Jung, Ka Ho Mok (Editors), The Reinvention of Liberal Learning Around the Globe (Springer 2023) 79-95 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-8265-1.
- Jennifer H M Mike, ‘Social Media And Freedom Of Expression- Bane For Democracy Or Blessing’ In Muhammed Tawfiq Ladan, Osatohanmwen Eruaga and Nkiruka Madueke (eds, ) Digital Economy Law And Policy (With Abstract Of Relevant Nigerian Laws And Policies) (Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies 2022) 483-524.
Professional Experience
- International Advisory Board Member and Editor: East African Journal on Peace & Human Rights, Editorial Board, AUN Journal of Law
- Reviewer: International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS). Journal of World Intellectual Property, John Wiley Press. Journal of African Law, Cambridge University Press. AUN Journal of Law
Awards and Honors
- Best Paper Presenter- International Conference on Research in Social Sciences, Tokyo, January 2025
- Humanitarian Ambassador Award Of The Year 2024, Pink Awards 2024
- International Human Rights Defender Award 2024, Kingsland Humanitarian Foundation
- Best Law School Female Faculty Award 2022
- Best Paper Presenter- International Conference on Research in Social Sciences, London, April 2019
- Rotary Award for best club humanitarian project and best club president
Service and Leadership
- Global Studies Fellow Program Steering Committee, 69色情视频
- Women, Gender and Sexuality Steering (WGSS) Committee 69色情视频
- Director, Center for Governance, Development and Human Rights, CGDHR, AUN. 2018-date
- Chair, Department of Public and International Law 2019-2024
- Director, Intersession (Summer) Program
- Law Students Faculty Advisor
- Global Liberal Arts Alliance (GLAA) Liaison Representative for AUN
- Gender and Diversity Officer of the Academic and Professional Committee of the International Bar Association (IBA).
Speaking Engagements
- Topic: Green Trade and Sustainable Investments: Legal Pathways for Environmental Protection’ 8th Annual Conference Of International Law Association, Nigeria Branch, Abuad, Nigeria. 9-10 April 2025.
- Topic: ‘Gendered Labor, Maternity, and the Fight for Equitable Leave Policies’ Second Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Graduate Symposium (WGSS-GS). The National Treasure, Morgan State University in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, April 3, 2025
- Topic: The Rise of Ideological Repression: Strategies for Racial and Social Justice in the Age of Extremism." Dr. Jennifer Heaven Mike, Claudia Servaes, Sophia Lovell, Minahil Khan and Ruby Tugeau at the Another World is Possible: A Global Racial and Social Justice Summit, Coretta Scott King Center for Cultural and Intellectual Freedom at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, February 13–16, 2025. (Faculty-Student collaboration)
- Topic: Securing Access to Assisted Reproductive Technologies as a Human Right at SSHRA 2025 – Social Science & Humanities Research Association International Conference, 20-21 January 2025, Tokyo. (Won Best Paper Presenter Award).
- Topic: Rethinking Development Rights in Africa: Towards A New Human Development Paradigm at ‘7th International Conference On The Right To Development’ Lisbon, Portugal 8 Nov 2024.
- Topic: Understanding and Identifying the Implementation Challenges of Decisions of the African Court On Human and Peoples Rights on Social, Economic and Cultural Human Rights Matters at ‘Conference on implementation and domestic impact of the decisions of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Arusha, Tanzania, 21 and 22 June 2024.
- Topic: ‘Africa and China Debt-Trap Diplomacy: Implications for Human Rights in the Continent ‘ at the conference ‘China and Europe in the African Continent: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives’ Pisa, Italy. 30 November -1st December 2023.
- Topic: Jennifer Mike, Jemimah Pam, Jessica Adejumoh, Reproductive Rights of Women in Climate Change-Induced Conflict Situations, Human Right: Challenging Borders Conference, Albion College, Michigan, United States, 29 April -2 May 2023. (Grant and Full sponsorship).
- Topic: Rethinking the Role of Higher Educational Institutions as Instruments of Peace, Religious Tolerance and Reconciliation. The African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies, the International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (Italy), and the International Center for Law and Religion Studies of the Brigham Young University Law School (United States), Tenth Annual Conference on Law and Religion in Africa. Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from 14-17 May 2023.
- Topic: Right to Health and Corporate Responsibility of Transnational Oil Corporations in Nigeria: Unveiling the UNGPs on Responsibility to Respect, Brocher Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland Jan 2023. (Full sponsorship).
- Topic: The Role of Universities in Transforming Society Through Direct Engagement and Education. Sustainable Communities Conference, Albion College, Michigan, United States, 6-9 June 2022.
- Topic: The Influence of Religious Leaders and Faith-Based Organizations on Health Observance, Behaviour and Public Health Policies. ACLARS Conference, Nairobi Kenya, May 2022. 53rd Nigerian Association of Law Teachers Conference, held at Bayero University Kano, February 2022.
- Topic: An Individual’s Responsibility to Public Health and Human Rights: An Ethical Approach The Yaoundé Ethiclab Conference/ Seminar 2020-2021, Yaoundé, Cameroon from the 15th- 22nd of August 2021 (co-organizer of the conference).
- Topic: The Responsibility to The Right to Health in Africa, Brocher Foundation, Hermance, Geneva, Switzerland, Jan 2020.
- Topic: Promoting International Partnership and Research Opportunities for Law Discipline in Africa and Asia: Experience & Insights, 52nd Nigerian Association of Law Teachers Conference, held at University of Ibadan August, Ibadan, July 2019.
- Topic: A Human Rights Based Framework for the Protection of Older Persons in Nigeria International Conference on Research in Social Sciences, London, April 2019 (Won an award for best Paper Presenter) .1
- Topic: ‘A Re-imagination of Pharmaceutical Patents Conception in the TRIPS Agreement through a Feminist Perspective’ Edinburgh Postgraduate Law Conference 2014. University of Edinburgh, Dec 2014.
- Keynote speaker, black History Month Lecture 2025, Titled “Deconstructing Accusation and Domination in the Africana World: Building a More Inclusive ‘Ubuntu’ Future,’”
- Co-Guest Speaker on “Dialogue on Conflict, Peace and Human Rights” event in Africa’ at the Global Studies Fellows Insight Event, 16 September 2024.
- Keynote Speaker, ‘The Nigerian She-Power Conference’ 2021
- Keynote speaker ‘AUN’s Women Security Society’ 2022
Other
Membership Associations
- Member, International Bar Association (IBA)
- Member, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
- Member, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb)
- Member, The African Network of Constitutional Lawyers (ANCL)
- Member, Institute for African Women in Law
- Member Nigerian Association of Law Teachers (NALT) Conference
- Rotary International: Past Club President. (Award for best club humanitarian project and best club president)
- Nigerian Institute of Project Management (NIPM)
- Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (In progress)
- Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)
- African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies, (ACLARS) and the International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ICLR)