Regular Ph.D. Fellow, Cohort 2023

Research Interests

• Bicultural Identity Integration
• Identity Development of Minority Groups
• Transnationalism and Migrant Networking
• Internally Displaced Persons

Dissertation topic
Bicultural Identity Integration of Ethiopian Jews of the Falash Mura: A Moderated-Mediation Analysis

Dissertation abstract
This research investigates Bicultural Identity Integration (BII) and the psychological outcomes of Ethiopian Jews, also known as the Beta Israel community or the Falasha Mura, in Ethiopia. Biculturalism refers to the psychological adaptation and negotiation of ethnic and mainstream cultural schemas, particularly among minority and immigrant groups. While much of the existing literature focuses on immigrant populations in host countries, this study expands the concept to include indigenous minority groups. Ethiopian Jews have preserved distinct Jewish practices, such as Sabbath observance and dietary and customary restrictions relevant to their religious traditions. Their unique cultural and religious identity has often led to discrimination, with the term “Falasha,” meaning exiles or strangers, used by the majority Christian population. This historical context has shaped their interactions with the dominant culture, potentially influencing the nature of identity negotiations, which can range from blended to compartmentalized, and from harmony to conflict. Using a concurrent cross-sectional mixed-methods approach, this study will provide valuable insights into how Ethiopian Jews manage their bicultural identities and the psychological implications of these negotiations.

Academic Supervisors
Klaus Boehnke
Sonja Drobnic
Mandy Boehnke
Michael Weinstock