Dr. Driton Maljiqi is an Assistant Professor in Sociology at the Institute for Sociological, Sociological, Political and Juridical Research at “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University in Skopje. His research interests are focused on educational sociology, multiculturalism, social conflict, and interethnic relations. “The Persistence of Hope,” a collection of 100 stories about the refugee crisis, is his first book. He has been involved in numerous research projects, participated in many international conferences, and coordinated several initiatives for humanitarian and legal assistance for refugees. During the refugee crisis in Macedonia from 2015-2017, he was the coordinator of the psycho-social support project for refugees led by the NGO La Strada. He was also the coordinator of the legal assistance project for refugees led by the NGO LEGIS. In addition to being part of the European Social Survey (ESS) team, he also works on the social conflict project in the Western Balkans led by the Institute for Sociological, Political, and Juridical Research.