Investigators

Principal Investigator

Karen Bell, Professor of Social and Environmental Justice, University of Glasgow. Formerly a community development worker and of Romani heritage, her research focuses on sustainability and environmental justice.

Co-Investigators

Dr Ionut Cioarta, Research Associate, University of Glasgow. An academic and social activist, he is of Roma heritage and a former community development worker at Ando Glaso.

Mark Banks, Professor of Cultural Economy, University of Glasgow. His interest is in culture-economy relations, participation and social justice, with a particular interest in the visual arts, music and media industries.

Dr Rosemary ‘Rosa’ Cisneros, Associate Professor, Coventry University. Rosa is a dance historian, Roma scholar, sociologist and flamenco historian, engaged with the Coventry University Centre of Dance Research.

Pilar Rodríguez Martínez, Professor of Sociology, University of Almería, Spain. Pilar works on social values, gender and inter-cultural dynamics and is a member of the Centre for the Study of Migration and Intercultural Relations (CEMYRI). 

Dr Antonio Jesus Segura Sanchez, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Almeria. He is working on values and attitudes and has recently carried out research with Romani groups in Almería regarding stigmatization.

Researchers

Dr Rhona Ramsay, Research Associate, University of Glasgow. Rhona completed her PhD on the absence and presence of Gypsy Travellers in Scottish museums and has research interests in the traditional skills of Romany Gypsy and Traveller communities.

Róisín Mullins-Jacobs, Research Assistant, University of Glasgow. Róisín is of Romani and Irish heritage. She is a dance artist and choreographer. Whilst working in the media, she researched and interviewed the British and Irish Gypsy, Roma, Traveller community. 

Manuel Martinez Martinez, Research Assistant, University of Almería. Manuel was awarded the 2024 Research Award from the Institute of Gypsy Culture. He is part of the Chachipen Project of the European Union for the recognition and historical reparation of the Roma people in Spain and in Europe.

Dr Juan Manuel Bellido Cáceres, Research Assistant, University of Almería. Juan’s research focuses on disadvantaged populations, Romani communities, hate speech, and socio-educational intervention.

Estela Torres Amador, Research Assistant, University of Almería. Estela is a social educator in a foundation that works for the promotion of the Romani people. She has experience in the field of juvenile justice, in socio-educational intervention with minors at risk of social exclusion and/or poverty and in training Roma adults to obtain a secondary education qualification.

Collaborators

1. Friends, Families and Travellers, a national organisation, based in Brighton, with a remit to work to end racism and discrimination against Romany Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people

2. Hermandad Gitana, a Romany Gypsy group that works to combat discrimination in Almería

3. Ando Glaso, a Roma arts organisation that celebrates and promotes Roma cultural heritage

4. The Gypsy Media Company (GMC), led by Jake Bowers, will work on the sculpture in Sussex and the film

5. Manuela Rios and Pedro ‘El Granaino’ will work on the dance aspects of the project in Almeria

Advisory board partners

These are key representatives of the most relevant organisations who will advise on all aspects of decision-making throughout:

• Karen Irving, Principal Social Researcher – Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

• Sherrie Smith, Co-Chair, Drive to Survive UK Gypsy and Traveller Campaign Group

• Tania Gessi, Project Lead, Roma Support Group, UK

• Dr Eva Kourova, Roma engagement researcher and activist, University of Strathclyde

• Zarina Ahmed, Head of Programmes, UK Women’s Environmental Network

• Josefa Santiago Oliva, President, Camelamos Naquerar, Almería Romani Women

• Juan Diez-Nicolas, Director, Centre for Research in Social Values, UCJC, Madrid

• Paula Valdez, Project Coordinator, Plataforma Khetane: Representative Movement of Gypsies in Spain