New grant will support Gypsy Roma Traveller awareness efforts

Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month (GRTHM) has been celebrated each June in the United Kingdom since 2008.

If you didn’t know that, you’re not alone. According to Alex Barber in our Department of History, the month is seriously undercelebrated compared to other awareness months, in the UK and beyond.

Alex, who comes from an Anglo-Romani family, is seeking to correct this as part of his new AHRC-funded project.

Creating awareness

Over the next few years, Professor  Barber will investigate what makes a history month successful. He will also look at why GRTHM has not ignited the public’s interest, and what can be done about it.

He will do outreach with Travelling communities, so they are empowered to be involved. Then , he hopes to create open access and durable resources for GRTHM. He hopes these will help to break down barriers that keep GRT history and culture from becoming part of the public’s consciousness. 

Addressing community challenges

This work could have a great impact on members of the GRT community in the UK, who are more likely to face challenges like lack of access to education and healthcare.

A lack of awareness of GRT history and culture leads to the spread of harmful stereotypes and racist tropes. GRT issues are also often omitted from the equality, diversity and inclusion agenda, Barber says.

Putting GRTM  on the public’s radar could be a pivotal step in correcting these injustices, he adds. It all starts with marking your calendar.

Find out more

• Read more about Associate Professor Alex Barber and his work. 
• The project is part of our larger commitment to transformative humanities at Durham. Read more about our Transformative Humanities framework.
• Our Department of History is ranked fourth in the UK in the Complete University Guide 2025. Visit our History webpages for more information on our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.