Armenian Diaspora Survey
The Armenian Diaspora Survey (ADS) uses pioneering research to take a fresh look at Armenian people and communities around the world. Our Pilot Project visits the cities of Boston, Pasadena, Marseille and Cairo.
The pilot study has now ended, thank you to all those who participated. Please watch this site as soon we will be sharing our initial results and analysis.
WHO WE ARE
The Armenian Diaspora Survey (ADS) was born out of a desire to learn more about what people are doing and thinking about in contemporary Armenian communities across the globe. Funded by the Armenian Communities Department of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon, and administered by the Armenian Institute, London. An Advisory Committee of respected scholars and researchers assists the Project Leader and Staff in creating the tools used for the research as well as the later analysis and writing. In the United States, we have had the additional very helpful support of the National Association for Armenian Research and Studies (NAASR).
PILOT STUDY CITIES AND TEAMS
The Pilot Study of the ADS is designed to help us learn about each of the chosen cities but equally importantly, to learn how to improve all aspects of carrying out the study. We have chosen important towns of medium size, each quite different from the other.
A team of 3 researchers visits each city, working together to encourage people to respond to the questionnaires or express their thoughts through interviews. Each team also includes a person who is responsible for creating a visual portrait of the city and its people, through photography and/or other art forms. Please click on the city links to learn about our team members and why these cities were chosen: Boston, Pasadena, Marseille and Cairo.
WHAT WE DO
The ADS sends teams of researchers to cities where they use questionnaires, interviews, observation, photography and video to record the views and concerns of people who identify themselves as Armenians. This includes of course those who actively take part in community affairs but we also welcome views of people who are not active for whatever reasons. The Survey explores different ways of belonging within the diaspora and also the connections between the diaspora and the Republic of Armenia and/or other forms of homeland, such as “the old country”. Within this context, the ADS also gathers information on different national contexts, how it feels to be an Armenian in, for example, France or America or Egypt, and how one becomes French, American or Egyptian as well as Armenian. Many perspectives are gathered and together we will build a portrait of the 21st century Armenian diaspora.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE INFORMATION GATHERED?
Data gathered will be used to provide researchers, writers, policy-makers, funders with information about the multiple ways in which Armenians think about themselves, their hopes, their concerns, their connections to their shared past and future.
The first stage, following the initial gathering of information in the Pilot Project, will provide a summary, comparison and preliminary analysis of the data from the 4 cities. This will be published on the website as well as through media in each country. Following this, more detailed studies and analysis will continue to be published in public media as well as scholarly journals.
The information itself will be kept in the archives of the Armenian Diaspora Study, made available to researchers on application. All information will remain in anonymous format.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
The Armenian diaspora is not only spread across the world, it is also many-layered with continuing waves of migration and secondary migration. Each new wave and each new generation in every community refreshes, provokes, and stimulates changes. Some changes are absorbed, some discarded and transformation continues. It is important that we learn about the ways in which the diaspora is evolving in its different environments and how we might continue and assist in making connections.
The study is also important beyond the Armenian diaspora. There are multiple ways in which Armenian immigrants around the world have made contributions to their new host countries, becoming part of the fabric of that country, helping it to move forward while at the same time also maintaining a strong connection to their Armenian family and heritage. It is helpful for others to learn about this experience, hear the personal stories and perhaps find some lessons within.
