Maria Atanasova is a Romani activist and scholar from Bulgaria, dedicated to tackling social injustices and empowering marginalised communities. Her work addresses critical issues such as human rights, anti-Roma racism, identity politics, and the memorialisation of Roma persecutions and atrocities. Recognised for her impactful contributions, Maria was honoured as the “Young European of the Year” in 2020 by the Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe.

Academically, Maria holds a BA in Midwifery from the Medical University of Varna and a master’s in Political Science from the Central European University in Vienna, where she also earned an Advanced Certificate in Romani Studies. Currently, Maria is a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Maryland, pursuing a second master’s in Public Policy. Her research explores the intersection of international security and Roma rights, focusing on minority securitisation. Maria is also a Rights Expert for Europe at the Global Forum on Discrimination (GFOD), advocating for communities discriminated against based on work and descent.