Rosario Figari-Layus

Jun.-Prof. Dr. Rosario Figari-Layus is an Assistant Professor at the University of Bonn, affiliated with the Faculty of Philosophy and the Center for Reconciliation Research. Her work focuses on reconciliation research, political violence, conflict transformation, and human rights activism in shrinking spaces. She leads a Gerda Henkel Foundation-funded project on 'Activists in Exile' examining universities' roles in supporting displaced activists from Russia and Myanmar.

• Research Areas: Transitional justice, gender-based violence in conflict zones, civil society resilience under authoritarianism.
• Collaborations: Partnerships with Charles University (Czech Republic) and Mahidol University (Thailand) in exile support initiatives.

Her project addresses the global rise of authoritarian crackdowns on human rights defenders, emphasizing how academic institutions can protect and empower exiled activists to sustain democratic futures.