Book Launch | Racism and Romani Studies: Challenging Academia, Policy and Representation
The European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture (ERIAC) invites audiences worldwide to attend the launch of the volume Racism and Romani Studies – Challenging Academia, Policy, and Representation (Springer, 2026) on 28 October 2026 from 15:00 CEST.
For centuries, Roma have been the subject of extensive academic research, political debate and public representation. Yet the racism they face has too often remained underexamined, while stereotypes and discriminatory narratives have continued to shape how Roma are understood, represented and governed. The volume Racism and Romani Studies – Challenging Academia, Policy, and Representation, published by Springer in 2026, addresses this critical gap by placing antigypsyism at the centre of Romani Studies.
The book launch will take place at the ERIAC Berlin office, Reinhardtstraße 41, and online via Zoom. With contributions from the book’s editors Dr. Iulius Rostas, Dr. Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka and Dr. Calin Rus, and authors Dr. Dezso Mate, Dr. Markus End, Dr. Liliana Ene, Dr. Marko Stenroos and Dr. Rafael Buhigas Jimenez, the event will introduce the volume’s key arguments and explore how antigypsyism has shaped academic research, public policy and the representation of Roma across Europe.
Participation is free and open to all, with registration required for in-person attendance.
Register for in-person attendance: REGISTER HERE
Join online (no registration needed): JOIN THE CONFERENCE (28 October 2026, 15:00 CEST)
Agenda
15:00–15:05 | Opening Remarks
15:05–15:20 | The Making of ‘Racism and Romani Studies’ — The editors introduce the rationale, key concepts and structure of the volume. With: Dr. Iulius Rostas, Dr. Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka and Dr. Calin Rus
15:20–15:40 | Key Perspectives and Findings — Contributors present the central arguments and insights of their chapters. With: Dr. Dezso Mate, Dr. Markus End, Dr. Liliana Ene, Dr. Marko Stenroos and Dr. Rafael Buhigas Jimenez
15:40–16:05 | Open Discussion: Questions and Reflections — An interactive exchange with in-person and online audiences.
16:05–16:10 | Concluding Reflections
Racism and Romani Studies – Challenging Academia, Policy, and Representation
In September 2023, ERIAC, in cooperation with West University of Timișoara and the Intercultural Institute of Timișoara, organised the International Academic Conference Racism and Romani Studies. The two-day event convened researchers and scholars to examine the relationship between racism, knowledge production and the representation of Roma across Europe.
The volume Racism and Romani Studies – Challenging Academia, Policy, and Representation builds on this exchange. Selected contributions from the conference were further developed and brought together under the editorial and academic leadership of Dr Iulius Rostas, Dr Anna Mirga-Kruszelnicka and Dr Calin Rus.
The publication represents an important contribution to ongoing efforts to understand antigypsyism not as a series of isolated prejudices or individual acts of discrimination, but as a structural phenomenon embedded in institutions, policies, social relations and systems of knowledge.
Organised into three parts, the volume first explores conceptual approaches to racism and antigypsyism, including academia’s historical role in shaping representations of Roma. It then examines manifestations of antigypsyism across different contexts, from policing and welfare systems to labour-market exclusion, education and media portrayals. Finally, it considers strategies for confronting racism against Roma, highlighting the importance of Roma participation in knowledge production and policymaking.
Contributions explore subjects including the legacy of gypsylorism, systemic discrimination, visual misrepresentations in popular culture and the relationship between racial capitalism and Roma marginalisation. Together, they demonstrate how academic discourse, state practices and racialised governance have contributed to the persistence of inequalities across Europe.
