Kaale Belongings and Evangelical Becomings: An Ethnography of Finnish Roma
Dr. Raluca Roman will introduce her recent book Kaale Belongings and Evangelical Becomings: An Ethnography of Finnish Roma (2025), which examines the role of Evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity in shaping social life among the Finnish Roma (Kaale). Drawing on over a decade of ethnographic research, the book explores how religious belonging has become closely intertwined with ethnic identity, community cohesion, and forms of social and political mobilisation. Particular attention is paid to missionary activity, humanitarian initiatives, and transnational networks that connect Roma communities across Europe. The talk reflects on how these religious dynamics reshape ideas of moral responsibility, collective futures, and Roma civic engagement. It also discusses the broader implications of this work for understanding the place of religion in contemporary Roma social movements.
Dr. Raluca Roman
Dr. Raluca Roman is a social anthropologist and Lecturer in the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queen’s University Belfast. Her research explores the intersections of religion, migration, ethnicity, and social mobilisation among Roma communities in Europe, drawing on long-term ethnographic work in Finland and Romania. More recently, her work has focused on the structural inequalities affecting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities in the UK, particularly barriers to accessing Higher Education and widening participation. Alongside her academic research, she has also collaborated with Roma families in Belfast on a documentary exploring the educational aspirations and experiences of Roma children.