Persistent structural racism and intergenerational trauma stemming from educational discrimination are among the barriers that Traveller and Roma students continue to face in higher education, according to a new study.
The analysis of the experiences of Traveller and Roma students was conducted by four higher education institutions, in partnership with the National Traveller Women's Forum and supported by Pavee Point.
It calls for the development of a Traveller and Roma Higher Education Inclusion Strategy.
The chair of the NTWF Maria Joyce said the findings made clear that inclusion cannot be "left to chance".
"We now need the political will and institutional leadership to implement these recommendations and ensure they lead to real and lasting change," she said.
The study found that both Traveller and Roma communities face substantial financial barriers which hinder their access to and success in higher education, and that low expectations from educators is another difficulty that students sometimes face.
Thirty-two Traveller and Roma students took part in the study.
Some describe concealing their cultural identities at college, with one student calling this "a defence mechanism".
Other participants in the study described a lack of belonging and uncertainty about their right to access support.
The study - 'A Community Needs Analysis with Traveller and Roma Students on Their Experiences of Higher Education’ - has called for anti-racism and cultural awareness training to be made mandatory for all staff and students.
It has recommended the implementation of a national, coordinated approach to supporting Traveller and Roma higher education students; for more flexible access routes to be developed, with tailored skills programmes to help develop essential academic skills.
It has also recommended the development of partnerships with employers to include paid internships, job placements and career development programmes designed specifically for Traveller and Roma students.
Welcoming the report, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin said it "highlights that although we have made positive progress in recent years in creating better conditions and more opportunities for Traveller and Roma students to access and succeed in higher education, we still have much work ahead in this regard".
She said the report would assist Government departments in fulfilling commitments outlined in the new Traveller and Roma Education Strategy (TRES) 2024 - 2030.
Maynooth University, Dublin City University, Dundalk Institute of Technology and Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest were all involved in conducting the study.
Director of Access at Maynooth University Dr Rose Ryan said: "This report gives us a clear call to action. Traveller and Roma students are not just asking for individual supports - they are calling for systemic change that values their identity, addresses racism, and supports their right to succeed in higher education."
