To mark Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) Month in June, join our ‘In Conversation’ event, centred on the ways GRT communities continue to challenge exclusion while shaping new political, intellectual, and collective self-determined futures.

This event is open to students, university colleagues, community members, and allies for a conversation that moves beyond symbolic ‘awareness’ towards questions of justice, resistance, belonging, and solidarity. 

The event will be opened by Professor Toni Haastrup, Academic Lead for EDI Race, followed by a conversation between Prof Colin Clark and Community Activist Ramona Constantin moderated by Professor Andreja Zevnik.

Colin Clark is a Professor of Sociology & Social Policy at the University of the West of Scotland, who has explored structural inequalities within Higher Education for GRT communities and will discuss exclusion and inequalities: What do higher education institutions need to do to move beyond the symbolic, to confront uncomfortable truths and progress towards meaningful change and inclusion?

Community Activist Ramona Constantin has worked with the Big Life Group, The Black Health Agency, and as an interpreter and vital community link with Romanian Roma, including collaborating with University of Manchester researchers on engagement strategies.

Andreja Zevnik is Professor of Critical Global Politics at the University of Manchester. An interdisciplinary scholar, whose main areas of research expertise fall in the intersection of political violence, politics of protest and political action, psychoanalysis and postcolonial theory and critical race theory. 

Event details

Date: Monday 8 June 2026
Venue: Blended Theatre 1 (GA.056), The Nancy Rothwell Building, The University of Manchester, M13 9QS

Event Schedule
4.00 – 4.15pm. Arrival.
4.15 – 4.25pm. Welcome, housekeeping introductions by Professor Toni Haastrup. Chair in Global Politics and Academic Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Race. 
4.25 – 5.05pm. In conversation with Prof Colin Clark and Community Activist Ramona Constantin moderated by Professor Andreja Zevnik.
5.05 – 5.25pm. Q & A.
5.25 – 5.30pm. Close by Professor Nalin Thakkar, Vice President for Social Responsibility. 
5.30 – 6.00pm. Reception.

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