Binghamton Grad Works Quietly To Prevent Atrocities

Julia Saltzman '21, MPA '22, is one of many members in the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect working to prevent and reduce atrocities from behind the scenes.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:47pm

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Julia Saltzman, a Binghamton University graduate, works as a research and advocacy officer at the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, an organization that monitors and analyzes situations where populations are experiencing or at risk of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or ethnic cleansing. Saltzman's work focuses on preventing and reducing these atrocities, often behind the scenes, by convincing stakeholders and diplomats to take certain actions.

Why it matters

The Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect seeks to ensure that the principle of the Responsibility to Protect serves as a practical guide for action in the face of mass atrocities. Saltzman's work, though often unnoticed, is crucial in preventing and reducing these devastating events around the world.

The details

Saltzman earned her bachelor's degree in philosophy, politics and law with a minor in human rights from Binghamton University before continuing for her master's degree in public administration. While at Binghamton, she earned a certificate in genocide and mass atrocity prevention and was the recipient of the Nadia Rubaii Award for Equity, Inclusion and Atrocity Prevention. In her current role, Saltzman focuses her work on Afghanistan, North Korea and China, using an intersectional lens to understand how various factors could lead to atrocity crimes. Her advocacy work involves convincing stakeholders and diplomats to take certain actions to advance the understanding of human rights situations and leverage points.

  • In 2025, the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect monitored and analyzed 29 situations where populations are experiencing, or are at risk of, genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or ethnic cleansing.
  • Saltzman earned her bachelor's degree in 2021 and her master's degree in 2022.

The players

Julia Saltzman

A Binghamton University graduate who works as a research and advocacy officer at the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, an organization that seeks to ensure the Responsibility to Protect principle serves as a practical guide for action in the face of mass atrocities.

Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

An organization that monitors and analyzes situations where populations are experiencing or at risk of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity or ethnic cleansing, and works to prevent and reduce these atrocities.

Binghamton University

The university where Saltzman earned her bachelor's degree in philosophy, politics and law with a minor in human rights, and her master's degree in public administration.

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What they’re saying

“I often say that my work done right is silent. You're not going to hear about it. There's no fanfare because violations and atrocities are prevented.”

— Julia Saltzman, Research and Advocacy Officer, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

“Pragmatically, R2P refers to the complete toolkit to respond to atrocities and prevent them before they occur. It refers to what we need to do to build resilient societies; preventing limits on access to humanitarian aid; making government actors aware of how their actions can contribute to atrocity situations. It's looking at situations and applying an intersectional lens to understand how, if left unaddressed, these things could lead to atrocity crimes.”

— Julia Saltzman, Research and Advocacy Officer, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect

The takeaway

Saltzman's work, though often unnoticed, is crucial in preventing and reducing devastating atrocities around the world. Her dedication to using an intersectional lens and working behind the scenes to convince stakeholders and diplomats to take action demonstrates the importance of quiet, persistent advocacy in addressing complex global issues.