How do I volunteer to be interviewed?

Please fill out the contact form at the bottom of the "Oral Histories" page or just click the button below!

 Submit Your Information Here

What if I have letters, pictures, or documents relevant to living in Bosnia or the Balkan war and subsequent genocide?

I am incredibly interested in reviewing any relevant pictures, letters, documents, or videos!  I will digitally scan them and return the originals to the owners.  I plan to make these materials available through this digital database as well as through the university to make them available to students, faculty, and researchers.

Will the interview be recorded?

Yes. Either an audio or an audio-video recording will be made, depending on the preference of the speaker. Recordings will be housed at Fontbonne University and will be made available to students and researchers. Recordings will NOT be made available on the internet without the permission of the speaker.

What if I need an interpreter?

An interpreter can be provided if needed. I hope to learn Serbo-Croatian-Bosnian over the coming year though.

How long will the interview last?

The interview will last between 30 and 90 minutes, but occasionally 2 or 3 interviews will be needed.

When will the interviews be published?

Interviews will typically be published within a week from the date they are taken, as long as permission is provided. We can also keep them private for a specified number of years, or stipulate that they are accessed only by scholars and researchers through the University.

What questions might be asked during the interviews?

While there will be a general guide with a series of questions, there isn't a standard set. Rather, I hope to encourage the women to talk about their personal experiences, beginning with what life was like before, during, and after the genocide, as well as the aftermath. Of particular interest are the experiences of moving to and living in Charlotte, and how they have maintained their cultural ties and rebuilt their communities in diaspora.

Is there a payment for participating in interviews or for sharing photographs and documents?

No.  Interviews are often considered to be more valid by scholars and researchers if the speaker is not paid.  I am also a graduate student and do not have the benefits of funding currently.  None of the interviews, photographs, or documents received throughout this project will ever be used for financial gain or commercial purposes.