Symposium drives conversations on inclusion and belonging in Higher Education

Symposium drives conversations on inclusion and belonging in Higher Education

8 May, 2026

Queen's recently hosted a symposium on 'Advancing Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller Inclusion and Belonging in Higher Education'

Pictured L-R are: Professor Colin Clark from the University of the West of Scotland; Dr Joanne O'Keeffe from Queen's; Winnie McDonagh, Social Worker and Queen's Graduate; Dr Raluca Roman, symposium lead and from Queen's; and Martin McDonagh, Chair of the Traveller Thematic Group.

The symposium created a vital space for dialogue and action, bringing together researchers, policymakers, community organisers and practitioners to explore the structural barriers limiting participation in higher education, and to consider what meaningful, sustained institutional change looks like in practice.

Across the UK and Ireland, Roma and Traveller communities continue to face some of the deepest educational disadvantages, with systemic barriers limiting access to - and success within - higher education.

Organised by Dr Raluca Roman, Lecturer in Anthropology, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead in the School of History, Anthropology, Philosophy and Politics at Queen's, the event reflects a growing commitment to addressing limitations to diversity and inclusion in higher education through collaborative, community-informed approaches.

Speaking about the event, Dr Roman commented: "Despite clear discrepancies in accessing higher education, Roma and Irish Traveller communities in Northern Ireland have been largely invisible in education data and in policy conversations.

"This symposium was a first step in addressing that, also by learning from work being carried out in other parts of the UK and Ireland. We believe this to be the first research-based event of its kind in Northern Ireland, drawing on collaborative and comparative work, and hope this is the beginning of a much longer conversation. With a live consultation on the Framework for Race Relations closing next month, this conversation couldn't be more urgent."

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Colin Clark, Professor of Sociology & Social Policy at the University of the West of Scotland, who explored how structural inequalities are produced and sustained within higher education, and what meaningful institutional change requires.

Professor Clark said: "It is clear from what we have heard today that structural inequalities in higher education are not accidental - they are created and sustained through institutional cultures, that continue to marginalise and oppress Roma, Gypsy, and Traveller communities. Improving access requires a lot more than symbolic commitments to widening participation. It demands our time, increased resources, and better systems.

"We must, as educators, firmly embed anti-racist practices across our universities. We must invest in sustained outreach and support to ensure that Roma, Gypsy, and Traveller students are active decision-makers in their own futures. Change that makes a lasting difference depends on institutions having the confidence, and humility, to confront uncomfortable truths about the nature of exclusion, inequality, and power within higher education itself."

Panel sessions throughout the day examined policy responses, systemic barriers, and community-led approaches to widening participation, including discussions on how inequality is understood and addressed in practice, particularly through initiatives such as the GTRSB into Higher Education Pledge.

A roundtable focused on Northern Ireland brought together frontline voices from education, health, and community services, highlighting the need for stronger cross-sector collaboration and more culturally informed support.

The symposium also featured contributions from Martin McDonagh, Chair of the Traveller Thematic Group at The Executive Office.

Martin commented: "Participating in this symposium was an important opportunity to reflect on the barriers many Gypsy, Roma and Traveller students continue to face in education, particularly around exclusion, representation and belonging. Throughout the day, discussions reinforced the need to move beyond access alone and towards creating educational environments where Traveller students feel genuinely welcomed, valued, and supported. It was encouraging to see universities, researchers, policymakers and community representatives engaging seriously with what meaningful and lasting institutional change could look like in practice."

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Media enquiries to Zara McBrearty on email: [email protected]

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