The Roma in European Higher Education: Recasting Identities, Re-Imagining Futures

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Today, between 10 and 12 million Roma live in Europe, comprising the continents largest ethnic minority. However, only 1% participate in higher education. Although the Roma are widely dispersed across Europe, and beyond, they face similar social, political, and economic challenges throughout the continent. A major site of struggle has been access, attendance and achievement in the education sector for Gypsies, Roma and Travellers (GRT). This groundbreaking text explores the Roma in higher education, a topic of great importance since higher education is considered to be a significant pathway out of poverty and to social mobility. Why are participation rates so low What are the barriers and what are the enablers This edited collection brings together authors from diverse national and organisational locations including academics, activists and policymakers from Canada, Chile, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, the UK, and the USA. They share and critically analyse contemporary knowledge on research, policies, practices and interventions to promote Roma participation in higher education in a range of European locations. They cover key topics including the representation of Roma communities as living on the margins, but also racism, anti-Gypsyism, Romaphobia, hate crimes and discriminatory practices. The book offers insights into how to fight discrimination and re-distribute higher educational opportunities without objectifying the Roma or representing these rich and diverse communities merely as powerless victims.

Reviews

The Roma in European Higher Education is not only relevant to academic and applied knowledge on Roma HE participation; it is also a good initial starting point for the future body of knowledge on Roma in HE. Scholars and practitioners across many fields will find that the discussions in the book challenge the status quo and their perceptions. Future knowledge producers will be able to build upon these discussions from alternative or complementary perspectives. * Critical Romani Studies *
This original and innovative book is the first of its kind to focus on Roma participation in higher education, drawing on insights from a range of empirical contexts. It is vital reading for scholars, activists and policy-makers who seek to understand the complex issues of Roma exclusion and the promise of education. * Aidan McGarry, Reader in International Politics, Loughborough University London, UK *
The racist imagery of Roma as a people who do not value education has robbed Romani people of dreams, aspirations, rights, opportunities, and a sense belonging to participate in higher education for too long. This volume is a testament to the catastrophic consequences that anti-Roma racism, from ideology to discrimination, has had on countless generations of Romani people. But above all, this volume is a call for action: a demand for states to unequivocally say NO to racism and for teachers to embrace Romani children in their full humanity, as children, not as inferior children. A long-awaited and necessary contribution to the scholarship! * Margareta Matache, Instructor and Director of the Roma Program, Franois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, USA *

Author Bio

Louise Morley is Professor of Education and Director of the Centre for Higher Education and Equity Research (CHEER) at the University of Sussex, UK. Andrzej Mirga is Chair of the Roma Education Fund, Hungary, and former OSCE ODIHR Senior Adviser on Roma and Sinti Issues and chief of the ODIHR Contact Point for Roma and Sinti Issues. Nadir Redzepi is Executive Director of the Roma Education Fund, Hungary.