Arpan Roy

Dr. Arpan Roy is an anthropologist conducting research at the Leibniz Center for Modern Oriental Studies (ZMO) in Berlin. His work focuses on Christianity in the Arab world, with a particular emphasis on marginalized communities in Palestine. He is the author of the recent book Relative Strangers: Romani Kinship and Palestinian Difference, which presents an ethnographic study of the Dom Romani community, exploring their historical presence, social organization, and resilience amid displacement and political conflict.

His research interests include social anthropology, Middle Eastern societies, religious minorities, kinship systems, and cultural identity. Drawing on long-term participant observation in Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Gaza, Roy’s work challenges dominant binary narratives in Middle Eastern discourse by highlighting the pluralistic and complex social realities of Palestinian society. His fieldwork involved engagement with NGO workers, religious leaders, educators, and families, emphasizing human-centered, dialogic research methods.

The publication of Relative Strangers contributes significantly to understanding how minority groups like the Dom Romani navigate identity, belonging, and survival in contested regions. His work underscores the importance of ethnographic depth in revealing overlooked social dynamics. Though no formal students or awards are mentioned, his research demonstrates scholarly rigor and relevance to contemporary debates on inclusion, displacement, and cultural continuity.

• Institution: Leibniz Center for Modern Oriental Studies (ZMO), Berlin
• Research Focus: Christianity in the Arab World, Dom Romani Community, Palestinian Society
• Methodology: Ethnographic Fieldwork, Participant Observation, Oral Histories