This presentation by Professor Albina Balidemaj examines the multifaceted layers of intergenerational and complex trauma within Kosovo by employing the ecological perspective. The historical, cultural, social, and environmental dimensions of trauma are explored to understand the intensity and enduring impact of past adversities on the current generations. By adopting an ecological framework, this talk aims to unravel the interconnectedness of various factors contributing to trauma and the pathways through which it manifests across the community, ultimately seeking to offer insights for comprehensive interventions and support systems.
Dr. Albina Balidemaj is a Dean of Faculty at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Kosovo campus as well as a co-founder and co-director of the RIT Kosovo Research Center for Human Rights. She is a clinical psychologist trained in community mental health and interventions with over a decade-long experience in migrant and refugee mental health, human rights, ethnic identity, human trafficking, and public and global health. Her projects focus primarily on the Balkans, EU, and the United States while her work has been published by international publishers like Elsevier, Routledge, and SAGE. Outside of academia, Dr. Balidemaj has served as a consultant for several international organizations.