The Eternal Wanders: Social Representations of Gypsy/Travellers

This research adds a unique insider perspective to the limited available data on the impact that (negative) social representations have on the ability of Gypsy/Travellers to access public services and provision on a basis of equality. Unlike traditional ‘writings of culture’ this research utilises a critical ethnography approach to give testimony to participants’ lived experiences and advocate for social change.<br/> <br/>Employing the concepts of social representation (Moscovici, 1963) and symbolic violence (Bourdieu, 1989) the research reveals the depth of the prejudice and discrimination experienced by Gypsy/Travellers and exposes the long lived, historical accounts – the Gypsy/Traveller as the criminal, the dirty, dangerous, and dishonest individual – which assist in the construction of a narrative that establishes individuals or groups as outsiders.<br/><br/>Having identified the drivers of, and the responses to, the persistent and prevailing negative attitudes towards Gypsy/Travellers, the research discusses the role of social representations in establishing, taken for granted, or doxic, ideas and attitudes towards Gypsy/Travellers, how those ideas and attitudes are embodied in policy making processes and how they shape interactions (and indeed policy and practice) between those responsible for service delivery and the Gypsy/Traveller community.<br/><br/>The research concludes with a summary of key findings and recommendations directed towards decision makers at local and national level.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Doctor of Community Learning and Development

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral Thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Dundee

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Tammi, Lynne

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Fernandes, Fernando
• Swinney, Ann
• Jackson, Sharon

• Gypsy/Travellers
• Social Representations
• Symbolic Violence

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

oai:discovery.dundee.ac.uk:studenttheses/619a2da6-35c0-4856-b102-2eb6c374e0b5

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:discovery.dundee.ac.uk:studenttheses/619a2da6-35c0-4856-b102-2eb6c374e0b5