In May 2025, the journal Critical Inquiry in Language Studies published the article “Pathways to Ethical Subjectivity: Participant Transformation in Tripartite Collaborative Research”, authored by János Imre Heltai (KRE), Bernadett Jani-Demetriou (American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo), Ildikó Schmidt (KRE), Gergely Szabó (KRE,ELTE), and Eszter Tarsoly (UCL, ELTE). The study presents insights from a linguistic ethnographic research project conducted in a small Hungarian town, coordinated by the Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary in collaboration with colleagues from ELTE.
The project brought together university researchers, members of the Romani-Hungarian bilingual local Roma community, and representatives of the Hungarian-speaking majority. Its aim was to co-create a linguistic ethnographic journal that amplifies marginalized voices and fosters dialogue between Roma and non-Roma communities. The article explores how ethical subjectivity – defined as care, love, and hope toward others – can emerge among participants and contribute to rethinking social relations.
One of the central concepts of the study is “ethical subjectivity”, which the authors locate at the intersection of decolonial thinking and collaborative research. The tripartite collaboration – between university researchers, Roma, and non-Roma locals – creates a “third space” where participants can engage with one another in new ways. This space is not merely a research setting but a transformative environment where individuals can reflect on their own biases, understand others’ perspectives, and reimagine their social roles. The authors emphasize that such research is inherently fraught with tensions – especially due to power dynamics – but it is precisely these ethical dilemmas that open the door to meaningful social change.
he research took place in a town in northeastern Hungary, where Roma and non-Roma populations are spatially and socially segregated. Roma residents often live in marginalized neighborhoods and attend separate schools. The project builds on a previous pedagogical initiative that successfully integrated Romani language into classroom learning through a translanguaging approach. Building on this success, the researchers launched collaborative workshops where Roma and non-Roma adults co-created the journal Duj Dzséne – Ketten. The goal was to bring Roma and non-Roma perspectives into the local public sphere and initiate dialogue between the communities.
The article analyzes two texts from the journal’s first issue: one written by a non-Roma participant and the other a Roma response. The first text discusses the development of Roma neighborhoods and argues that segregation was not intentional but a result of urban planning. The second text, born out of an editorial debate, offers a critical reflection, highlighting signs of deliberate separation. During the workshop discussion, Roma participants initially remained silent but later expressed their views in emotionally charged contributions. According to the authors, this process—confronting differing perspectives and engaging in collective reflection—creates opportunities for ethical subjectivity to emerge. As participants gradually open up to each other’s viewpoints, their attitudes begin to shift through the shared work.
Tripartite collaborative research is not just a methodological innovation – it is also aa social one. Can shared work and dialogue transform how participants think and relate to one another? The article answers with a resounding yes: Roma and non-Roma locals, along with university researchers, all undergo ethical development centered on care, reflection, and hope. While the project does not offer definitive solutions, it demonstrates that the potential for social change lies in collaboration and collective thinking born from academic inquiry.
The journal Duj Dzséne – Ketten is available on its website, and the article can be accessed via the journal’s homepage.