News — November 18, 2025
Engaged Scholars: Hollie Nyseth Nzitatira
November 2025
Engaged Scholars is a series highlighting Ohio State faculty who have made an impact in our communities through their community-engaged research and teaching. Pictured: Hollie Nyseth Nzitatira (second from left) in Rwanda for an education abroad program.
Hollie Nyseth Nzitatira
Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies
College of Arts and Sciences/Sociology
I study genocide and mass violence, and much of my community engagement centers on these pressing social issues. I have served on a federal atrocity forecasting commission and work with a nonprofit to train government officials and others with an atrocity prevention mandate on strategies to reduce the risk of atrocity. I also consult with museums and nonprofits on research and educational initiatives related to genocide.
Education is especially important to me; I firmly believe it is one of the most powerful tools we have. Because of this, I train teachers on how to teach about genocide. Students need to understand that genocide is not just a historical event - it continues to occur in the present day. I have trained educators in more than 10 states, authored a free primer for teachers and developed classroom materials to support their instruction.
Finally, I launched an Ohio State education abroad program in Rwanda, where I conduct research in collaboration with community partners.
Why is it important to engage the community in your research and teaching?
Genocide affects everyone. Since the Holocaust, there have been more than 40 genocides, and several are unfolding today. Genocide also occurred before the Holocaust, which means communities around the world continue to grapple with its legacies. It feels irresponsible to remain in an ivory tower when addressing such urgent social problems.
I also hope to pass on lessons of community engagement to my students, so my classes incorporate community-engaged projects. Put simply, we partner with local, national and international nonprofits to undertake meaningful work. This approach allows students to apply what they learn to real-world contexts, fostering critical thinking and encouraging active engagement with communities. Students also reflect on the role of power and privilege in these collaborations.
What led you to the path of engaged scholarship? How did you get started?
It's hard to pinpoint, but I think my interest was initially sparked when I studied abroad in Mexico. The program was an internship that allowed me to work with a human rights nonprofit and teach English in a women's prison. These experiences taught me the importance of ethical community engagement that accounts for local and global power dynamics. In graduate school, I began seeking out community partners for my research projects - and soon, partners began seeking me out as well.
How has your scholarship benefited from engaging with community partners?
My scholarship becomes much richer when I collaborate with community partners, such as those I work with in Rwanda. Their ideas and expertise strengthen the work and make it more relevant, as the results can be used by people on the ground. To achieve this, I need to write findings in a publicly accessible way - not in lengthy journal articles hidden behind paywalls. One way to do this is through policy briefs. In fact, I founded and serve as Global Editor-in-Chief of the International Association of Genocide Scholars' Policy Brief Initiative. This effort helps bring research to those who can use it. Equally important, researchers must listen deeply and earnestly to community experts and avoid assuming that one size fits all or that researchers know best.
What has been a highlight of your community engagement experience?
One highlight of my work was conducting a needs assessment of survivors of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda. This was part of a broader study on transitional justice, but the needs assessment was incorporated into a report shared with the Rwandan Senate and directly influenced policy. Another highlight has been training individuals around the world who hold mandates on atrocity prevention. I know that each training session creates ripple effects, reducing local risks of atrocity worldwide.
What advice would you give to faculty and students who are interested in engaging the community in their scholarship?
If you're doing research, start by meeting with communities who are involved or affected and asking what kinds of research would be most beneficial to them. Alternatively, you could tailor a smaller part of your study to address their specific needs and priorities. Another idea is to explore speaker bureaus or reach out directly to relevant nonprofits or community organizations to set up a meeting about possible collaboration. You might be surprised - many people are willing to collaborate but simply don't know where to start.
Sample Engaged Scholarship
Understanding Genocide Primer for Teachers