Edita Gzoyan received her Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree from the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at the American University of Armenia (AUA) in 2012. What began as a research endeavor turned into a calling, propelling Edita to the directorship of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. Her AUA education and experience in the LL.M. program played an instrumental role in her career trajectory and shaped the strong value system that continues to guide her work today. A staunch advocate for human rights and justice, Edita believes that scientific research and educational outreach are key to preserving the memory of the Armenian Genocide, raising international awareness about this atrocity, and preventing future injustices.
How did you decide to pursue your master’s degree at the American University of Armenia?
While completing my Ph.D. in international relations, I felt the need to specialize in an additional subfield that would further deepen my knowledge of and develop my skills in international law and human rights. At that time, the LL.M. program at AUA offered exactly what I was looking for — an interdisciplinary and rigorous education with a strong emphasis on global perspectives and practical legal training. It provided an excellent foundation for further research and future work in areas related to international criminal law, international justice and human rights.
What are three enduring values AUA has instilled in you?
The three most enduring values AUA has instilled in me are critical thinking, a strong sense of justice, and a desire for continuous growth and self-improvement.
Critical thinking formed a core part of my academic journey at AUA. The ability to think analytically and independently has been essential in both my research work and professional leadership.
AUA also instilled in me a deep and lasting belief in justice, not only in legal theory, but in everyday practice. I witnessed a culture where fairness, transparency, and merit were truly valued. That experience helped shape my own commitment to equity.
Finally, AUA fostered in me a strong desire for continuous growth and self-improvement. It wasn’t just about acquiring knowledge — it was about becoming more thoughtful and more effective in everything I do. That mindset continues to guide me today, pushing me to keep striving for excellence in my field.
How did AUA’s LL.M. program influence your career path?
AUA’s LL.M. program played an instrumental role in shaping my career direction. It was during my University studies that I deepened a strong interest in the legal aspects of mass atrocities and international justice. While I had always been drawn to issues of human rights, the LL.M. curriculum helped me understand how legal frameworks, such as international criminal law, transitional justice, and reparations, could be applied to the Armenian Genocide.
This new perspective laid the foundation for my post-graduate work. After completing the LL.M. program, I began working at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, where I was able to apply what I had learned at AUA. The LL.M. program, with its excellent professors, did not just provide me with knowledge; it gave me the confidence and tools to contribute to ongoing conversations. It opened up new paths for research, advocacy, and international cooperation that continue to shape my work today.
My professors’ unwavering message to always stand up for justice, accountability, and human rights left an indelible mark on me. Through their teaching, mentorship, and example, they emphasized the importance of valuing human dignity above all else, whether in legal analysis, policy work, or everyday decisions. It reinforced the idea that the law is not merely a system of rules, but also a powerful tool to protect people, challenge injustice, and give voice to those who have been silenced. That broader sense of purpose, using legal knowledge in service of humanity, continues to guide me in everything I do.
How did you decide to launch your career at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute after graduating from the LL.M. program?
My path to the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute began in an unexpected but profoundly meaningful way. While exploring the League of Nations archives as part of my Ph.D. research, which focused on the admission of the First Republic of Armenia to the League, I came across a set of documents that changed the course of my academic and professional life. Among the materials were identity papers of Armenian children who had been rescued from Muslim captivity by League of Nations commissioners in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide. These handwritten documents, detailing the names, ages, and stories of survivors, were deeply moving and impacted me profoundly.
At that moment, I felt a strong responsibility to preserve and share these stories. I promised myself that I would return to those archives and copy the full collection of these records — 1,646 identity papers of Armenian Genocide survivors. I eventually fulfilled that promise and collected even more documents related to the Genocide. This experience gradually drew me into the field of Armenian Genocide studies and, ultimately, led me to join the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute after completing both my Ph.D. and LL.M. degrees. What began as a research endeavor turned into a calling. In 2021, around 10 years after initially discovering those identity papers, I published them in a bilingual volume, rendering these powerful stories accessible to scholars, descendants, and the broader public.
Can you tell us about your career advancement in the Institute since 2013?
I began my professional journey at the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute in 2013 as a researcher, with a focus on the legal dimensions of the Armenian Genocide. In 2018, I was appointed Deputy Scientific Director, a role that allowed me to become more intimately involved in the strategic and administrative development of the Institute. As I immersed myself in the academic life of the Institute, I gradually took on additional responsibilities, particularly in the editorial sphere. I joined the editorial boards of our scholarly journals, Tseghaspanagitakan Handes and the International Journal of Armenian Genocide Studies, contributing to the academic discourse on genocide studies and helping to elevate the Institute’s international scholarly presence.
In 2024, I was elected director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute. This role carries great responsibility, not only in terms of academic leadership, but also in preserving the integrity of memory, promoting genocide education, and ensuring that the Institute continues to serve as a leading voice in the global fight against genocide denial and impunity. Each stage of my journey at the Institute has brought new challenges and opportunities, whether in research, publishing, education, or international collaboration, and I remain committed to building on this foundation to serve the mission of the Institute with vision and purpose.
You have dedicated more than a decade of your career to the Institute. What has been your goal and motivation throughout these years?
I have been especially motivated by the belief that research should not remain confined to academic circles. It should inform education, shape public discourse, and reach communities beyond borders. That is why one of my key priorities has been to expand the visibility and accessibility of our scholarship through digitization projects, translations, international partnerships, and open-access publications.
Unfortunately, recent developments around the world, especially the tragedy that befell the Armenians of Artsakh, have brought into sharp focus the fragility of international norms and the limitations of the rule of law when political interests eclipse the protection of human rights. What we have witnessed is not just an international crime and humanitarian catastrophe, but also a serious challenge to the international legal order that was designed to prevent such calamities.
The forced displacement of the Armenian population from their ancestral homeland, the lack of timely and effective international response, and the impunity with which it all occurred raise deeply troubling questions about the effectiveness of global mechanisms intended to uphold justice and prevent ethnic cleansing. This catastrophe has shown how critical it is for legal professionals, scholars, and institutions to not only study the law, but also actively advocate for its enforcement, especially in the face of injustice.
This reality only deepens my commitment to the values that were reinforced during my time at AUA: justice, human rights, and accountability. In a world where the legal system is too often undermined by geopolitical interests, these values must be more than academic — they must guide action. My work, both as a researcher and as director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, continues to be informed by this approach and values.
What is your vision as the current director of the Institute?
As the current director of the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, my vision is to strengthen and expand the Institute as a leading international center for research, education, and remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. This vision is rooted in three interconnected pillars: scientific research, educational outreach, and the role of the Museum as both a space of learning and memory.
First and foremost, I aim to strengthen the scientific and research capacities of the Institute. This includes supporting our scholars, expanding interdisciplinary studies, and encouraging new interdisciplinary research on comparative genocide studies.
Equally important is expanding our international outreach. I believe that the Institute must play a more engaged role in the global arena by building partnerships with universities, research centers, museums, and human rights organizations around the world. Hosting international scholars, participating in global forums, and publishing research in international forums are essential steps toward ensuring that the Armenian Genocide is part of broader discussions on human rights and atrocity prevention.
In terms of education, I see a growing need to develop diverse and inclusive programs for learners of all ages. We are currently working to expand our offerings, particularly for younger audiences, by creating age-appropriate content, interactive tools, and digital resources. This includes using animation, technology, and storytelling to help children understand the importance of remembrance and justice in ways that are engaging and meaningful.
What is the role of the Institute in the preservation of Armenian history? How do you see its role in the future of the country?
The Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute plays a critical and multifaceted role in the preservation, interpretation, and transmission of Armenian history, particularly one of its most painful and defining chapters. As both a guardian of memory and a hub for scholarly research, the Institute serves as a bridge between past and present, remembrance and action.
Its role extends far beyond safeguarding historical documents and artifacts. By documenting the facts of the Armenian Genocide and continuously gathering evidence, testimonies, and scholarly analysis, the Institute helps to ensure that this history is neither forgotten nor distorted. This kind of truth-telling is essential not only for the dignity of victims and survivors, but also for the prevention of future atrocities.
In a broader sense, I see the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute as a vital cultural and intellectual institution for the future of the country — one that strengthens national resilience, defends historical truth, and contributes to a more just and humane order. Its work is not only about commemorating what was lost, but also about shaping a future in which such losses are never repeated.
How important is it to you to maintain a connection with your alma mater? How do you see yourself doing so?
Maintaining a strong connection with AUA is quite important to me. The University played a formative role in both my intellectual development and professional trajectory. I am committed to giving back. I see great potential in strengthening institutional ties between AUA and the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, particularly through joint research projects, educational programs, student internships, and other initiatives.