Congratulations to Dr Karen Bell and Ionut Cioarta (Urban Studies), and Professor Mark Banks (School of Culture & Creative Arts), who have received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) for the project ‘Gypsies Forging Sustainable Futures: Representing Romani Environmental Knowledge and Practices Through Traditional Metal Artwork and Dance’.   

The 36-month long project aims to learn from, and make visible, Romani values, heritage and practices in order to enhance understanding of how to address climate change and other environment crises.  It seeks to reduce stereotypes of Romani communities as being detrimental to the environment by increasing knowledge and understanding. 

Principal Investigator Dr Bell said “This is a really important opportunity to research and draw attention to the centuries-old sustainability knowledge and traditions of Romani communities.  Learning from and celebrating their culture will help to breakdown ongoing racist stereotypes”. 

Academics from the University of Glasgow, University of Almeria, and University of Coventry will work closely with community partners throughout the project. 

First published: 24 January 2024

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Dr Karen Bell (Principal Investigator)

Professor Mark Banks (Co-Investigator) 

Ionut Cioarta (Co-Investigator) 

Arts and Humanities Research Council