The first Traveller in Ireland to graduate with a PhD has been conferred at the University of Limerick
Dr Sindy Joyce, human rights activist & doctoral graduate of the Department of Sociology at UL, is among the 67 students being conferred with PhDs at UL this week.
Photo Credit: Sean Curtin True Media
Over 1500 student graduated from UL this week.
Dr Joyce's PhD thesis was awarded a number of competitive awards during the course of her studies at UL including an Irish Research Council postgraduate scholarship, UL’s FAHSS Dean’s Scholarship and AHSS Registrar’s Scholarship Award.
Her thesis examines how young Travellers’ movements through, access to and use of public and commercial urban space are shaped by their ethnicity and by anti-Traveller racism.
The Co-Director of Pavee Point congratulated Dr Joyce saying;
The research that Sindy Joyce carried out for her Doctorate gives important visibility to the Traveller perspective, in this case the perspective of young Travellers in Galway, Travellers, down through the years, have often been researched and documented – but usually by people outside our community. It is an important step for Travellers that we have our own academics who can decide what is important from a research point of view – and what is ethical in carrying out this research. Sindy Joyce, on a personal level, is a great role model and an inspiration. Her hard work and determination in her studies shows that all Travellers are missing are the opportunities to succeed. The Irish Traveller Movement is delighted to pay tribute to Sindy Joyce, PHD for her outstanding achievement. This PHD compliments her reputation as a committed human rights defender and passionate educationalist, whose community is to the forefront of her focus. Given her ongoing research interests she is a deserved education ambassador especially for anyone who advocates for equality through the difficult lens of experience.
