Arne Mann

Arne Mann is an independent researcher at the Institute of Ethnology and Social Anthropology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, specializing in Roma ethnography. He has held academic positions and taught at Comenius University in Bratislava, the University of Nitra, and Charles University in Prague. His research focuses on Roma culture, religion, family and social relations, rituals, and demographic development.

• PhDr. in Ethnography, Comenius University, 1980
• CSc. (Candidate of Sciences), 1997
• Employed at the Institute since 1983

His research interests include Roma identity, Holocaust studies, ethnic stereotypes, education, and cultural preservation. He has published extensively on Roma blacksmiths, spiritual beliefs, naming practices, and historical persecution. His work combines ethnographic fieldwork with archival research and oral history.

His 15 most recent publications reveal a sustained focus on Roma history, identity, and social conditions, with increasing attention to the Roma Holocaust and the use of personal memoirs as historical sources. His research spans demography, religion, education, and cultural anthropology, often emphasizing the interplay between tradition and modernity in Roma communities.

• Commemorative Medal (2003) for work on the Roma Holocaust
• Publication Award from the Ethnographic Society of SAS (2003)
• Romipen Award (2014) for cultural and educational contributions
• Ray from the Darkness Award (2019) for public advocacy and myth-busting

Mann has been actively involved in pedagogical activities, contributing to university curricula on Roma culture. Though no formal student advising is mentioned, his educational outreach has influenced generations of students and professionals. He has participated in VEGA-funded scientific projects on social differentiation and everyday culture in Slovakia. His work is supported by long-term institutional affiliation and recognition through national and civic awards.

He is associated with a specialized research environment that includes extensive ethnographic archives and collaborative networks in Central Europe. His contributions are integral to the academic and public understanding of Roma history and culture in Slovakia.