About

Project staff
European Union
Laura Giulia Cassio
+32 2 296 17 05
Council of Europe
Kathrin Merkle
+33 388 41 28 84
Katharina Fouquet
+33 388 41 22 23
Secretary of the Network
László Fosztó
+40 748452219

European Academic Network on Romani Studies

A European Union / Council of Europe Joint Programme (2011-2015)

Aims of the network

The overall aim of the European Academic Network on Romani Studies is to support efforts towards the social inclusion of Romani citizens in Europe. The project facilitates intercultural dialogue and raises the visibility of existing research outside the academic community in order to foster cooperation with policymakers and other stakeholders. By creating an interface between academic researchers and political decision makers, while promoting and improving the existing resources on the European Roma communities, the project shall ultimately allow for the implementation of better conceived policy initiatives based on reliable evidence.

2nd project phase

After having successfully completed its first phase in May 2013, the project has entered its second phase. While the first project phase, June 2011 to May 2013, has focused on the creation and further development of an operational and performing network by building its structure, developing and fine-tuning its communication and setting up its rules, the second phase will put emphasis on the policy advisory role of the network and further increase the visibility of the academic expertise it provides.

Origin of the project

The project reflects an initiative of the European Commission (DG EAC) on Intercultural Dialogue leading as from 2009 to consultations with experts and eminent academics on Romani Studies and representatives of the European Commission and the Council of Europe on the feasibility of a Roma Academic Network. In 2011, decisions were taken on objective criteria to be set for membership, the nomination and the role of a Scientific Committee and the recruitment of the secretariat of the network. The project strongly builds upon networks and results of the work on Roma education and inclusion carried out by the Council of Europe.

Scope and composition of the network

The network involves more than 300 recognized academics working on Romani studies, as well as junior researchers who are mentored, thus creating a true interdisciplinary community of researchers. Access to the network is permanently open to all experts with relevant expertise on the basis of agreed and transparent criteria. The activities of the network are planned and supervised by the Scientific Committee, composed of a restricted group of academics. The chair of the Scientific Committee is elected during the committee meetings and oversees the actions of the network. Members of the Scientific Committee are elected chair by rotation.