Gypsy, Roma, Traveller Youth: mitigating exclusions using the digital?

This project will explore the digital capital and digital citizenship of Gypsy, Roma, Traveller (GRT) young people and its impacts on social inclusion.  

Why is this important?

GRT communities experience significant discrimination and poor educational, economic, and health outcomes. GRT young people have the highest temporary and permanent school exclusion rates of any ethnic group and are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system.  

Digital engagement is increasingly vital for social participation, accessing services, finding information, socially connecting, and participating in society. Digital engagement includes the use of electronic technology, online resources, social media, and networking platforms.   

A review of literature on GRT communities and digital life showed: 

• An absence of large-scale or mixed-methods research on GRT communities’ digital use, with existing studies being geographically limited. 
• Studies are non-inclusive, focusing on Gypsy-Traveller or Roma communities or targeting non-settled GRT communities.  
• There are no in-depth studies examining the role of digital technologies in mitigating GRT communities’ social exclusion in the UK.  

What does it involve?

The research team will fill the knowledge gap on GRT young people through the following: 

• A review of existing literature and practice information. 
• Interviews with online GRT young people and GRT youth organisations.  
• Analysing oral diaries to understand how GRT young people use digital tools to negotiate day-to-day issues, including public services, civic engagement, leisure, and social purposes.  
• A UK-wide survey to capture how GRT young people access, use, and benefit from digital technology across the UK. 

Research will be conducted collaboratively with Drive2Survive, a GRT-led voluntary organisation, and GRT equality organisations and networks will be consulted. A group of GRT young people will be invited to act as advisors throughout the project.  

How will it make a difference?

Policy and community engagement is a key part of the research and will include online discussion and solution-focused sessions. Audiences for the research includes senior policy makers, regional and local public sector practitioners, academics, GRT voluntary groups and organisations, and youth and other voluntary, community, and social enterprises. The aim is to help stakeholders understand if and how GRT young people utilise digital capital and its impact on social inclusion, and therefore, how policies and services can improve digital inclusion.