Project Overview
This project is an ongoing international interdisciplinary seminar series in Romani Studies, jointly organized by academic and community-based institutions. The series brings together researchers, Romani community activists, and practitioners to discuss current research, social developments, and emerging debates related to Romani histories, cultures, and contemporary issues.
Status: Ongoing
Research Theme: Minorities, Pluralism, and Intercommunal Relations
Secondary Theme: Education, Knowledge Transfer, and Public Engagement
Format: Monthly online seminars (Zoom)
Focus Region: Transnational / Europe and beyond
Project Leadership and Partnerships
This seminar series is jointly organized by:
- Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Uppsala University (Sweden)
- Rroma Foundation, Zurich (Switzerland)
- Institute for Knowledge, Research and Society (Canada)
Project organizers and hosts:
Hanna Abakunova (Institute for Knowledge, Research, and Society)
Stéphane Laederich (Rroma Foundation, Zurich)
Background and Significance
Romani Studies is a highly interdisciplinary field that benefits from sustained dialogue between scholars and Romani communities. However, such dialogue is often fragmented across national, institutional, and disciplinary boundaries.
This seminar series responds to that gap by providing a stable, recurring platform for interdisciplinary exchange. Now in its fourth year, the series has hosted academics, community representatives, and activists to address key questions, new publications, methodological challenges, and ongoing debates within Romani Studies.
Structure of the Seminar Series
The seminars are held monthly, on the last Wednesday of each month, from 18:00 to 19:00 CET, and are conducted online via Zoom. Each session typically features one or more speakers followed by discussion.
All seminars are recorded, and selected recordings are made publicly available online through the designated project website.
Themes and Topics
Seminar topics include, but are not limited to:
- Romani history and memory
- Social and political developments affecting Romani communities
- New academic publications and research projects
- Activism, representation, and community-based knowledge
- Methodological and ethical questions in Romani Studies
The interdisciplinary nature of the series allows for perspectives from history, anthropology, sociology, political science, cultural studies, and community practice.
Outputs
Public-facing outputs
- Recorded seminar sessions published online
- Ongoing archive of talks and discussions
Educational outputs
- Resource for students and researchers in Romani Studies
- Platform for introducing new research and voices
External Project Website
Full information about the seminar series, recordings, and schedules is available at:
https://romanistudies.ch/
Updates
- 2022–present — Monthly seminar series ongoing
- 2025–2026 — Fourth year of the series