Valérie Rosoux serves as Director of Research at the National Fund for Scientific Research (FNRS) in Belgium and is a professor in the School of Political and Social Sciences, University of Louvain. Known for her expertise across philosophy, political science, and law, Professor Rosoux has played a key role in advancing the field of reconciliation. Over the years, her research has focused on complex issues relating to, amongst other things, post-conflict transitional justice, memory, and postcolonial legacies.
In 2021, Professor Rosoux was awarded a Max Planck Law Fellowship, which is currently run in coordination with Institute Directors, Professor Foblets and Professor Peters . Through this fellowship, Professor Rosoux leads a research project focused on the intergenerational memory of mass atrocities, an area she describes as a ‘missing piece’ in transitional justice efforts. The project brings together perspectives from law, political science, and anthropology to understand how memories of violence are transmitted across generations and how this influences post-conflict reconciliation.
Collaboration and interdisciplinarity are central to Professor Rosoux’s approach. For example, she works closely with the project’s two PhD students, Pierre Druart and Mustafa Hadji, both based at MPI-Halle, who contribute their fieldwork from Rwanda and Morocco. Collaboration is further reflected in the project’s structure, with regular meetings and discussions involving all key members, ensuring that the research benefits from diverse perspectives. In this regard, Professor Rosoux notes, ‘The interdisciplinary aspect is crucial; the blending of law, political science, and anthropology allows us to approach transitional justice from multiple angles’.
Several academic events have been organized as part of the fellowship, including one scheduled for December this year in Brussels, titled ‘Conference on Intergenerational Memories of Mass Violence‘. The event will gather experts from around the world, alongside survivors from Rwanda, Northern Ireland, and Colombia, to discuss how societies deal with the legacies of violence.
Amongst the publications relating to the project, the book Representing the Absent (open access) stands out. As an edited collection, the book brings together legal experts, social scientists, and political theorists to address the complexities of representing those who are not physically present but whose interests are deeply affected by legal decisions. ‘It’s about understanding how we deal with those not present—whether it’s people from past generations or those who will come after us’, says Professor Rosoux, reflecting on the broader themes of her work.
Looking ahead, Professor Rosoux intends to make significant progress in the ongoing research and to ensure the PhD students associated with the project complete their theses. Her longer-term goal is to consolidate the findings from their fieldwork and to engage with a broader audience, both within and beyond academia, through further seminars and conferences.
Professor Rosoux is grateful for the opportunities the Max Planck Law Fellowship has afforded her. In her words, ‘The credibility that comes with the Max Planck Law label is enormous. It opens doors to collaborations and elevates the visibility of our work.’ She describes the fellowship as ‘priceless in terms of academic prestige’ and appreciates how it has helped her engage with a global network of scholars, further advancing this important research.