Examining Up Close and Taking a Broad Perspective: A Dual Methodology for Academic Exploration
In Budapest, Hungary, Emma Kaeser, the Social Sciences Correspondent, is spending her summer conducting research as part of her internship with the European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC). The ERRC is a public interest law organization that specializes in strategic litigation for Roma people, the largest ethnic minority in Europe.
Emma's research will be presented as evidence in anti-discrimination cases at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The ECHR is an international treaty designed to protect fundamental freedoms in Europe.
During her internship, Emma is learning about the intricacies of this legal system and the applications of the Convention's provisions. She is also gaining a focused understanding of the specific ways in which many institutions discriminate against Roma communities.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of human rights abuses against Roma communities, Emma is employing a dual approach: focusing and zooming out.
Focusing allows for an in-depth examination of the direct experiences of Roma individuals and communities. By concentrating on particular incidents, individual stories, or localized abuses, Emma can uncover the nuances of discrimination, prejudice, and legal violations that may be invisible in broader overviews. This granular perspective helps build strong, evidence-based advocacy and legal arguments tailored to specific violations and contexts.
Zooming out, on the other hand, involves stepping back to see the bigger picture. It involves analyzing how state policies, institutional racism, economic marginalization, and cultural exclusion affect Roma communities across regions or countries. By connecting individual cases to widespread trends, identifying recurring patterns of rights violations, and understanding the root causes behind these abuses, Emma can shape effective, systemic policy recommendations, advocacy strategies, and international legal interventions.
The combination of focusing and zooming out provides a dual lens that integrates detailed personal realities with structural analysis. This comprehensive view ensures that interventions are both empathetic and informed by systemic understanding, increasing their relevance and impact.
During her internship, Emma has been researching school segregation in Hungary and learned about the complex mechanisms that deny Roma children quality education. The ECHR does not often consider intersectionality, and Emma and the legal team have discussed how the concept might be introduced in litigation or policy advocacy on behalf of Roma.
The article discusses the importance of a fulfilling summer research experience, especially for a short-term opportunity like a summer internship. Understanding the context of research details is crucial, and Emma has learned the value of this understanding during her time at the ERRC.
The internship is part of the "Research Abroad" series, which aims to provide insights into the experiences of students conducting research overseas. As Emma continues her internship, she will undoubtedly contribute significantly to the ERRC's efforts to combat human rights abuses against Roma communities and promote equality and justice for all.
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