portrait

Jennifer Heaven Mike

Visiting Global Studies Scholar and Hampton and Esther Boswell Distinguished University Professor of Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

jennifermike@depauw.edu

Statement on Scholarly or Artistic Work

  • 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.

Educational Background

  • 2017: University of Exeter, UK Ph.D.
  • 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
  • Mike, J.H. (2020). "Women, Medicine and the TRIPS Agreement: Health and Human Rights in Nigeria". Princeton & Associates Publishing Company Ltd.
  • Mike, J.H., & Uloko, G. Greg (2022). "A Modern Approach to Intellectual Property Law in Nigeria". Princeton & Associates Publishing Company Ltd.
Peer Reviewed Articles
  • Mike, J.H. (2025). "Securing Access to Assisted Reproductive Technologies as a Human Right." The Law Digest, Issue 34, Winter.
  • Mike, J.H. (2024). "An Exposition Of Africa’s Regional Environmental Laws, Policies And Systems For Safeguarding The Human Rights To A Clean, Healthy And Secured Environment" African Human Rights Yearbook, 8, 275–306 ;
  • Mike, J.H. (2024). "A Concise Guide to Women’s Rights and Legal Protection in Nigeria." African Journal of Law and Human Rights (AJLHR), 8 (2).
  • Mike, J.H. (2024). "China’s Investment in Africa: Exploring the Human Rights Dimensions" China Quarterly of International Strategic Studies, 1-38
  • Mike, J.H., Abledu, Y. (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
  • Mike, J.H. (2023). "Incorporating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) in Legal Education: Panacea for Development" The Law Digest, Autumn Issue 31.
  • Mike, J.H. (2023). "Transforming Transnational Feminism from Theory to Practice: The Media as a Viable Tool of Engagement." Journal of Perspectives in Gender Development, 3,(1).
  • Mike, J.H. (2023). "Enhancing the Right to Health in Nigeria through Judicial Intervention" Journal of African Law, 1-22. Doi:10.1017/S0021855323000116,
  • Mike, J.H. (2022). "Carrots, Vaccines and Sticks: Critical Reflection Of Compulsory Vaccination From A Human Rights Perspective." Rutgers International Law and Human Rights Journal (ILHR), 3, Fall.
  • Mike, J.H. (2022). "Securing Human Security and the Right to Development in Nigeria" RSU Department of Public Law Journal, 10(2).
  • Nampewo, Z., Mike, J.H., & Wolff, J. (2022). "Respecting, Protecting and Fulfilling the Human Right to Health" International Journal for Equity, 21(36). 
  • Mike, J.H., & Nwusulor, C. (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
  • Mike, J.H., & Godfree, M. (2021). "Analysis of The Measures Taken by Nigeria’s Government in Combating the Covid-19 Pandemic and The Effect on Human Rights." UJICL, 2, 150.
  • Mike, J.H.(2020). "Access to Essential Medicines To Guarantee Women's Rights To Health: The Pharmaceutical Patents Connection." The Journal of World Intellectual Property.
  • Mike, J.H.(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), 4(6). ISSN 2454–6186.
  • Mike, J.H.(2020). "Treatment Not Prosecution: The (De) Criminalization of Attempted Suicide In Nigeria In Relation To Mental Health Issues." ABUAD Journal of Law, 6(1).
  • Mike, J.H., & Muhammad, A. (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.
  • Mike, J.H. (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.
Chapters in Edited Volumes
  • Mike, J.H. (2024). ‘"Penalising Passion: A Reflection on the Offence of Adultery in the Context of Cultural Relativism and Human Rights." In (A. Diala (Ed.), Legal Pluralism and Marriages in Africa (Brill). 
  • Mike, J.H. (2023). "Being the Premier Development University for Africa: A Case of the American University of Nigeria" In I. Jung & K.. Mok (Eds.), The Reinvention of Liberal Learning Around the Globe (Springer) pp. 79–95 .
  • Mike, J.H. (2022). "Social Media And Freedom Of Expression–Bane For Democracy Or Blessing’" In M.T. Ladan, O. Eruaga & N. Madueke (Eds.), Digital Economy Law And Policy (With Abstract Of Relevant Nigerian Laws And Policies) (Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies), pp. 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 – Pink Awards 2024
  • International Human Rights Defender Award – 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

  • Member, Global Studies Fellow Program Steering Committee, أطة«´«أ½
  • Member, Women, Gender and Sexuality Steering (WGSS) Committee أطة«´«أ½
  • Director, Center for Governance, Development and Human Rights (CGDHR), AUN, 2018–present
  • 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

  • "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
  • "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, Baltimore, Maryland, USA, April 3, 2025
  • "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)
  • "Securing Access to Assisted Reproductive Technologies as a Human Right" – SSHRA Social Science & Humanities Research Association International Conference, January 20–21 2025, Tokyo. (Won Best Paper Presenter Award)
  • "Rethinking Development Rights in Africa: Towards A New Human Development Paradigm" – 7th International Conference On The Right To Development’ Lisbon, Portugal, November 8, 2024
  • "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" – Conference on Implementation and Domestic Impact of the Decisions of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Arusha, Tanzania, June 21–22, 2024
  • "Africa and China Debt-Trap Diplomacy: Implications for Human Rights in the Continent" – China and Europe in the African Continent: Economic, Legal and Political Perspectives’ Pisa, Italy. November 3–December 1,2023
  • 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, April 29–May 2, 2023. (Grant and Full sponsorship).
  • "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 May 14–17, 2023
  • "Right to Health and Corporate Responsibility of Transnational Oil Corporations in Nigeria: Unveiling the UNGPs on Responsibility to Respect" – Brocher Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland, January 2023 (Full sponsorship)
  • "The Role of Universities in Transforming Society Through Direct Engagement and Education" – Sustainable Communities Conference, Albion College, Michigan, United States, June 6–9, 2022
  • "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.
  • "An Individual’s Responsibility to Public Health and Human Rights: An Ethical Approach" – The Yaoundé Ethiclab Conference/Seminar 2020–2021, Yaoundé, Cameroon, August 15–22,2021 (Co-organizer of the conference)
  • "The Responsibility to The Right to Health in Africa" – Brocher Foundation, Hermance, Geneva, Switzerland, January 2020
  • "Promoting International Partnership and Research Opportunities for Law Discipline in Africa and Asia: Experience & Insights" – 52nd Nigerian Association of Law Teachers Conference, University of Ibadan, July 2019
  • "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) 
  • "A Re-imagination of Pharmaceutical Patents Conception in the TRIPS Agreement through a Feminist Perspective" – Edinburgh Postgraduate Law Conference, 2014. University of Edinburgh, December 2014
  • Keynote Speaker – Black History Month Lecture 2025: “Deconstructing Accusation and Domination in the Africana World: Building a More Inclusive ‘Ubuntu’ Future”
  • Co-Guest Speaker – “Dialogue on Conflict, Peace and Human Rights”, Global Studies Fellows Insight Event, September 16, 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 (Awarded Best Club Humanitarian Project and Best Club President)
  • Member, Nigerian Institute of Project Management (NIPM)
  • Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA), Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme – In Progress
  • Member, Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)
  • Member, African Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ACLARS) and the International Consortium for Law and Religion Studies (ICLR)

Social Links