Ian Hancock

Ian Hancock is a prominent linguist, Romani scholar, and political advocate, currently serving as the GAZDA at ROMANI ZOR. He was born on August 29, 1942, in London, England, and has dedicated his career to the study and advocacy of Romani culture and rights. Hancock is best known for his extensive work in Romani studies, having published over 300 books and articles that explore the Romani language, history, and anthropology.13

Hancock is the director of the Program of Romani Studies and the Romani Archives and Documentation Center at The University of Texas at Austin, where he has been a professor since 1972. He has actively represented the Romani people at various international forums, including the United Nations, and served on the US Holocaust Memorial Council under President Bill Clinton.123

His advocacy work began in the late 1960s, motivated by incidents of anti-Romani discrimination in Britain. Hancock's research challenges common misconceptions about Romani origins, arguing against the view that Romani people are merely low-caste Indians, instead suggesting a more complex historical narrative involving Indian prisoners of war.12

In his role at ROMANI ZOR, Hancock continues to promote Romani identity and rights, emphasizing the importance of self-definition within Romani communities.24