Nathan Reyes

Awarded the SSHRC CGRS-D in 2026, valued at $120,000 over 3 years. Placed 3rd at UofT 3MT 2026. My research examines how relatives of the disappeared navigate between state and non-state armed authority, and how they make sense of their own role and power in the process.

Conducted life-saving medical evacuations of the war-wounded from across South Sudan; Established and conducted confidential protection dialogue with weapons-bearers, notably the field commanders of a highly organized non-state armed group; Led the assessment and strengthening of joint ICRC-MSF operations in the volatile, hard-to-reach administrative region of Abyei (disputed region between Sudan & South Sudan).

Designed and drafted a successful SSHRC Partnership Development Grant, "Developing an Indigenous & non-Indigenous collaborative research partnership: human rights, self-determination and the Indian Act's legacy of harm and discrimination." Value: $187,000. Trained & coached two teams (one in English, one in French) for the Jean-Pictet IHL Competition. Delivered 3 seminars to graduate students as guest lecturer.

Provided leadership and support to a team of 27 (19 ICRC + 8 external) in the planning and implementation of all operations in Abkhazia - notably the search and recovery of the remains of missing persons for their families, accompaniment of families of the missing and other victims of the conflict, laboratory management, field security, logistics, admin, etc. Represented the ICRC in dialogue with diverse stakeholders at political (Head of State, Ministries, Security, etc.) and technical levels. Noted for effective leadership of the capacity-building process of a nascent NGO and for bridging the gap between the authorities’ interests and victims’ needs.

Coordination ICRC protection activities in Georgia - medical evacuations, visits to detainees, family reunification, assistance to other affected persons and communities, among others - as well as activities with relation to contested territories, at strategic and implementation levels, as program responsible. Led the design and implementation of the ICRC’s operational response to COVID-19 in Georgia: in-depth rapid assessment, coordination with a variety of stakeholders, a program of humanitarian assistance to over 1300 vulnerable persons, meaningful support to enable family contact for detainees in coordination with the Department of Justice, duty of care procedures to prevent unintentional harm.

Responsible for multidisciplinary humanitarian operations in Buenaventura district, focusing on violence-affected populations in urban, gang-controlled areas and on the humanitarian search for missing persons in the wake of a peace agreement. Accompanied and provided holistic support to families of missing persons; coordinated and conducted the search and recovery of remains of missing persons, working closely with demobilized combatants with first-hand knowledge, to allow families to move through their grief. Designed and implemented a sustainable, community-focused protection strategy with close participation of the community: emphasis on resiliency-building, access to education and building direct channels of communication between the community and service providers.

Played a pivotal role in overcoming persistent obstacles during sensitive negotiations with Russian State authorities, enabling the implementation of a joint large-scale distribution of humanitarian assistance.

Facilitated the liberation of hostages held by an armed actor, as a neutral humanitarian intermediary between the parties to the conflict.

Organized and led field trips to document allegations of violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the province of Ituri, north-east Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which were subsequently the basis of disciplinary or judicial measures. Conducted regular visits to places of detention and intervened with authorities in relation to the respect of judicial guarantees and fundamental rights.

Continue significantly to preparing, teaching and grading undergraduate-level law course (Constitutional Law); researched and co-authored article published in peer-reviewed journal (critical theories of law)