The Telegraph can reveal that £810,703 worth of taxpayers' money has been pumped into a study into how “sustainable” lifestyles for Roma and Gypsy communities can help fight the environmental crisis.
A three-year project from the University of Glasgow argues that Roma people are “often portrayed as the cause of environmental degradation” and therefore “may experience 'environmental racism'”.
But the researchers argue that Roma people have contributed “sustainability ideas and practices”, from “recycling, reusing and repairing” to “the use of plants and herbs for health and hygiene”.
Titled “Gypsies Building a Sustainable Future: Expressing Roma Environmental Knowledge and Practices through Traditional Metalcraft and Dance,” the project aims to “identify, highlight and amplify sustainability practices and perspectives.”
The researchers then plan to “create a Roma metalwork sculpture and two dance events that represent the sustainability traditions and everyday practices of Roma and Roma Gypsy communities in the three constituent countries of England, Scotland and Spain, with a particular focus on Sussex, Lanarkshire and Almería.”
“These visual and dance arts will highlight the Roma contributions to sustainability ideas and practices (e.g. the 'circular economy' of recycling, reusing and repairing, 'tiny house' living, use of local materials, the use of plants and herbs for health and hygiene, emphasis on community and sharing, and sustainable production techniques including metalworking),” the summary adds.
“The deliberations and artistic process involved will be professionally documented on film.”
“Policy and Practice”
The project, which began in April, is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which is part of the taxpayer-funded UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The Department of Housing and Community Equalisation (DLUHC), which was run by the Conservatives when the project began, is listed as a “project partner”.
The researchers say their study could ultimately inform DLUHC “policy and practice”.
But the Taxpayers Alliance said money should only be given to projects that deliver real benefits, not bogus research with no scientific merit.
“Taxpayers are tired of seeing their money being spent on these pointless projects,” said Joanna Markong, the group's research campaigns manager.
“Such research, whether it deserves the name or not, will be paid for by hard-working British people.”
“Countering stereotypes”
A spokesman for the University of Glasgow said: “Research by the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that 44% of British people surveyed openly express more negative attitudes towards Roma and Traveller communities than any other protected characteristic group.”
“The project aims to counter negative stereotypes about Roma people harming the environment by raising knowledge and awareness about the environmental history, traditions and values of Roma populations in England, Scotland and Spain.
“This research is vitally important to the University of Glasgow as part of our commitment to social justice and climate justice.”
A UKRI spokesman said: “UKRI invests in a diverse portfolio of research and innovation.”
“Funding decisions for the research projects we support are made through a rigorous peer review process by relevant independent experts across academia and the business world.”
