Moving Through the Policy Environment: The Political Life of the Nomadism Definition

The main aim of the fellowship is to build on the achievements of the PhD, in order to combine my professional aspirations for an academic career with research that is groundbreaking in terms of its anthropological and methodological approach, and its real-world impact. To achieve this, the intention is to conduct follow-up fieldwork, engage with a range of different audiences, increase the policy impacts of my research, and build professional networks. Through employing digital and conventional face-to-face methods, my research seeks to examine the social and political life of the category of Traveller nomadism as it moves between the offices of local councils, and private and third sector organisations, into assembly committees; through court rooms, and onto Travellers' encampments. The aim of this follow-up research is to provide fresh insights into the inner workings of public, private, and third sector organisations, to examine how the operations of these institutions affect Travellers and Gypsies, and to explore the potential methodological innovations involved in researching how this policymaking environment is enacted online.
In order to further understand these areas of policymaking, and to examine how improved policy outcomes can be achieved for Travellers and Gypsies, I will also consult relevant experts at Oxford University's Centre on Migration, Policy, and Society, and from the University's Policy Engagement Network. Additionally, the fellowship will be used to work with and expand my network of scholars, NGO employees, and Travellers and Gypsies, to establish an advisory group. Here, the aim is to combine our research materials and compile an evidence base that can be accessed by Travellers and Gypsies and those acting on their behalf. These resources would also be used in consultations with local councils, the Greater London Authority, and for academic research. The fellowship will also be used to work with NGOs, engaging in and examining the London Mayor's progression towards implementing a modified definition of Traveller nomadism into the London Plan. Additionally, during the fellowship I aim to work with (and conduct investigative research on) the organisation that conducts the majority of Traveller and Gypsy needs assessments in the UK, to design research materials that better reflect the circumstances and requirements of these communities.
As the fellowship will be used to build my professional reputation, I intend to engage with a range of audiences by disseminating my research through different platforms. This will consist of publishing in renowned academic journals, co-editing a book with a preeminent scholar of Travellers and Gypsies, and presenting my research at international conferences. Regarding real-world impact, during the fellowship I will submit reports based on my findings to human rights organisations, as well as presenting a policy-oriented paper at a conference hosted by a Traveller/Gypsy NGO. To ensure that it reaches wider audiences, I also plan to disseminate my research on media platforms and outlets. A further aim of the fellowship is to enlist the help of my mentor to build relationships with those working at regional and local levels of government, expand my professional network, and move towards my goal of attaining a permanent academic position.
Finally, as the overarching aim of the fellowship is to launch an academic career, I will devote time to developing new research topics and questions, applying for further early career positions, and teaching courses at Oxford's School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, and at the Centre on Migration, Policy, and Society.