Rebecca Fisch, M.A.

Predoctoral Researcher

Contact

Universität Regensburg
Graduate School for East and Southeast European Studies
Landshuter Str. 4
93047 Regensburg
Germany

+49 (0)941 / 943-5360 rebecca.fisch(at)geschichte.uni-regensburg.de

Research Project

Between Invisibility and Hyper-visibility: Dealing with War Experiences of Roma Communities in Bosnia and the Diaspora

The project examines the experiences of Roma communities affected by the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). It follows the question how Roma in BiH and the diaspora have been dealing with war experiences and their consequences. The research hypothesizes that Roma communities face a paradox of hyper-visibility – when conforming to antigypsyist stereotypes – and simultaneously nearly complete invisibility – regarding their wartime experiences and demands for justice. This dynamic ultimately shapes Roma communities’ access to the right to truth and right to justice. Methodologically, the research project employs interviews and ethnographic field research, valuing also artistic practices (e.g., poems, songs, paintings) as primary sources, and examines court cases, legal documents, and NGO reports. By documenting severely underrepresented perspectives, the research project aims to contribute to the field of area studies of Southeast Europe, and to advance scholarly debates on subaltern and marginalized positions in the research fields of conflict studies and transitional justice.

Curriculum Vitae

Rebecca Fisch studied Cultural Studies, Literature, Theater, and Cultural Diplomacy (B.A.) at the University of Hildesheim and the University of Arts in Belgrade as well as Holocaust and Genocide Studies (M.A.) at the University of Amsterdam. She has been working with civil society organizations in Germany and Southeast Europe for several years, focusing mainly on minority rights, anti-racism, remembrance, transitional justice, and youth education. She works as a trainer in human rights education in both regions and at European level.