Meet Shannon, a graduate of the University of Sussex
This month we meet Shannon Phillips, who has Romani Gypsy heritage and graduated in the Summer with a BA in English and Law from the University of Sussex. Shannon is currently working as a Teaching Assistant at Steyning Grammar School.
What inspired you to go to university Shannon? Had anyone in your family been before?
I’m very lucky because my mum read to us every night and inspired a real love of learning in me. Although no-one in my family had ever been to university before, pursuing that route almost felt like a need. I knew that if I didn't, my love for academia would just halt, and I couldn’t imagine my future without learning being a huge part of it.
Did you encounter any barriers along the way?
I had lots of people telling me that university wasn’t the right route. Some teachers were very supportive, but others weren’t and there were also people in my own community telling me that going to university would make me ‘less Gypsy’. Even my Dad was strongly against the idea of me going to university. I had to fight to convince him for years.
But I never saw going to university as turning my back on my heritage. I’m proud of who I am and where I’ve come from. I just wanted to continue to learn and to broaden my opportunities.
What has it meant to your family to see you going to university?
It has been amazing. Graduating in the Summer was the best feeling. My Dad, who had been so against the idea, was really proud of me and my nephews and nieces came to the graduation and haven’t stopped talking about it. My niece is obsessed with reading too and I feel proud to have shown her that pursuing your educational dreams is possible.
It feels like I opened a door. My brother is now studying Marine Biology at Bangor University, and my Mum who has been a care assistant all her life, is studying for a nursing degree in palliative care at Canterbury Christ Church University.
I’m so happy that the love of learning that she inspired in me has led me down a route that has now inspired her. It’s come full circle and that makes me so happy.
What was your experience of university like?
I loved my studies from the moment I arrived at the University of Sussex, but I always felt that I had two identities – my university self and my Romani Gypsy self.
It’s only when I discovered all the work the Widening Participation team at the University of Sussex was doing to celebrate my heritage and to welcome students from my community, that I finally felt that I could just be me. I’m so grateful to them for all they do.
Helping the team with their work has been one of my proudest achievements because it’s so important.
What work have you been doing to promote GRT inclusivity in higher education?
I’ve had the opportunity to work with some amazing and dedicated acadmemics and to collaborate on hugely progressive and recognised projects within university Widening Participation teams. Chris Derbyshire, Dr Emily Danvers and Dr Tamsin Hinton-Smith at the University of Sussex are all so passionate about encouraging greater GRT involvement in education and have so many pioneering projects going on.
I’ve worked with them to create a school facing resource to support GRT inclusion in schools, I helped to pull together the GRT History Month celebrations across campus in June and contributed to a HEPI GRT panel event in July.
I also did a webinar with the Anne Frank Trust to build understanding of GRT culture amongst non-GRT students. It’s so rewarding to know that what I’m doing is helping turn around perceptions and creating more positive experiences for GRT learners.
Is there anything you’ve found challenging about the work you’ve been doing?
When you love learning as much as I do, it’s hard to remember that the route I’ve followed isn’t for everyone. But it’s important that everyone is treated as individuals and everyone is able to pursue the route that feels right for them.
What aspect of this work have you most enjoyed?
I love engaging with younger learners and seeing the difference you can make. I was involved in a Romany folklore literacy project with local schools and it was amazing to see how engaged the young people were. Non-GRT students were really interested to learn about our culture and GRT students were so pleased to be able to talk openly about their culture in school.
I also love helping to challenge stereotypes. One Year 7 student couldn’t believe it when she realised I have Romani Gypsy heritage. She said ‘but Gypsys don’t go to university’. It’s important to have programmes that challenge ingrained perceptions and that help GRT young people see that higher education can be for them if that’s what they want to do.
What would be your message to any younger GRT learners?
I’d say follow your gut. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you higher education is out of your reach or not for you. If you’re determined, know deeply that this is what you want to do, and have at least one supportive family member, harness it and keep building blocks to path the way.
Also, do your research, because finding a supportive college or university environment is everything.