William Bergstroem

The research explores the relationship between genocide and hate crime, by answering the research questions: 1) what role, if any, does hate crime play as a factor within real cases of genocide; and 2) what are the resulting practical applications for genocide prevention? In order to do so, the aim is to critically explore the relationship between hate crime and genocide in real cases of genocide, specifically Rwanda and former Yugoslavia, and assess the resulting practical applications for genocide prevention. 

This is achieved through semi-structured interviews with 4 participant groups, split between those with lived experience of genocide and those with professional and academic expertise in the area. As such, the 4 groups are: 1) self-defined victims of genocide; 2) self-defined perpetrators of genocide; 3) practitioners in the subject area; and 4) academics working in the subject area. Participants with lived experience are from two specified internationally recognized genocides, those in Rwanda and former Yugoslavia. 

Through this, the research contributes to an important gap in the existing research around these two concepts through a new and innovative approach to the topics. In addition to the academic contributions, the research provides practical insights into potential applications for the improvement of the international system of hate and genocide prevention.