Armenian Diaspora groups' opinions, behaviors and rhetoric surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict

Project Title

Armenian Diaspora groups' opinions, behaviors and rhetoric surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict

Faculty Mentor(s)

Project Description

For my thesis, I will be researching various Armenian Diaspora groups' opinions, behaviors and rhetoric surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict. The different diaspora groups I will focus on include the relatively neutral Armenian Jerusalemite population in the holy land, the more militant Armenian population in Lebanon and the recently annexed refugee population from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). I will be investigating how geographical proximity to the conflict, particular experiences of statelessness and relationship to national identity all impact these particular diaspora groups' relationship to the Israel-Palestine conflict.  

Why is your research important?

My research is important as it explores a facet of diaspora studies that is often overlooked. I seek to investigate the differences between members of the same overarching diaspora group as opposed to treating them as a monolith. My research broadly investigates differences in various communities who are a part of the same larger Armenian diaspora population and what causes them to have vastly different reactions, experiences and relationships to the Israel-Palestine conflict. 

What does the process of doing your research look like?

My research has enabled me to spend time with primary and historical documents from various diaspora groups in the form of newspapers, literary magazines, political handouts, interviews, personal testimony and photographs.  I have even been able to utilize historical documents from my own family throughout different aspects of my research which has been incredibly rewarding. 

How did you get involved in research? What drove you to seek out research experiences in college?

I got involved with research through taking a number of research based seminars through the politics department. 

What is your favorite aspect of the research process?

My favorite aspect of the research process thus far has been how it changes my relationship to the topic itself. When you discover new evidence, it inevitably changes how you view your own argument. The research process by nature is an incredibly dynamic process built on constant change and adaptation.

How has working with your mentor impacted the development of your research project? How has it impacted you as a researcher?

My mentor has been able to guide me through the different approaches to research that consider both objectivity and subjectivity in various ways. I have been lucky enough to have a mentor who is involved in the process of accounting for proximity to the research and personal identity. We have been able to explore different methodologies that situate myself, as the researcher is inherently connected to the research itself.

How has the research you’ve conducted contributed to your professional or academic development? 

I feel like I can’t answer this one fully  until I am finished!

What advice would you give to a younger student wanting to get involved in research in your field?

Research can look very different than you might expect! Oftentimes when you are investigating something for a class or just something you are interested in, it becomes a part of your research process without even knowing it.