A hidden community: justifying the inclusion of Roma as an ethnic identity in the 2021 Scottish census

Hay, N., Campbell, L. , Kowalewska, M., Clark, C., Tammi, L. and Balogh, B. (2020) A hidden community: justifying the inclusion of Roma as an ethnic identity in the 2021 Scottish census. Critical Romani Studies, 3(1), pp. 46-71. (doi: 10.29098/crs.v3i1.62)

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Abstract

This article investigates the invisibility of Roma communities within Scottish census ethnic monitoring categories and broader empirical data. Consistent negative stereotyping as well as systematic oppression within social policy, dominant discourses, and data collection processes excludes Roma from participatorycitizenship. This article identifies precise forms of marginality and invisibility within official government data – permeated through social and education policy – that thereby limit the effective targeting of resources to marginalized communities. Specifically, the article argues that omitting Roma as an ethnic category from past data gathering processes limits understanding of the commonalities and differences within and amongScottish communities, rendering entire populations invisible within broader empirical data and therefore restricting both identification of needs and effective resource allocation. Thus, the article presents a timely argument for the inclusion of Roma as an ethnic category in the 2021 Scottish census, while addressingissues within the census approach to data collection – including the impending digitization of the process. Through discussing and advancing the case for the inclusion of Romani communities in the 2021 Scottish Census, the paper also seeks to establish the current social context by chronicling the history of Romanimigration and marginalization within Europe.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Di Marco Campbell, Mr Luke Ray
Authors: Hay, N., Campbell, L., Kowalewska, M., Clark, C., Tammi, L., and Balogh, B.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Education > Creativity Culture and Faith
Journal Name:Critical Romani Studies
Publisher:Romani Studies Program at Central European University
ISSN:2560-3019
ISSN (Online):2630-855X
Published Online:11 December 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 The Authors
First Published:First published in Critical Romani Studies 3(1): 46-71
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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