McMaster University's Governing Forced Labour in Chains project released a study on August 16, 2023 that highlights how current forced labor disclosure laws merely require companies to disclose supplier information without mandating active measures to prevent labor abuses. The study uses Lululemon's corporate social responsibility initiatives as a case study to argue for more stringent regulations and meaningful action in protecting vulnerable workers.

McMaster University launched the Public Intellectuals Project, which empowers undergraduate and graduate students to publish critical writing on issues such as education, equity, poverty, and racial justice, encouraging active engagement against authoritarian and regressive cultural trends.

McMaster University is hosting an event that examines how authoritarian leaders maintain power through propaganda, corruption, violence, and machismo, and discusses strategies to counter these tactics. The lecture by scholar Ruth Ben-Ghiat provides historical insights into the rise and fall of authoritarian regimes.

McMaster University, through its Centre for Human Rights and Restorative Justice (CHRRJ), is spearheading research initiatives on global human rights, focusing on restorative justice and sustainable development goals (SDG 10 and SDG 16). This work aims to address systemic inequalities and support evidence‐based policy reforms to protect marginalized communities worldwide.

McMaster University approved a comprehensive Closed Circuit Television Surveillance Policy on January 21, 2013. The policy details how CCTV systems are to be installed, monitored, and their recordings handled, including mandatory signage, strict retention limits, training of personnel, and compliance with privacy legislation such as FIPPA. These measures are designed to balance public safety with the protection of individual privacy.

McMaster University has demonstrated its commitment to global progress and human rights through its engagement with the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) initiative. The institution aligns its academic and research efforts with UN mandates, including the promotion of human rights, access to education, sustainability, and conflict resolution.