Caravan to Classroom – Richard O’Neill MBE free public talk on early years literacy
When: 6-8pm, Wednesday 2nd April, 2025
Where: In person at the University of East Anglia in Norwich and Online
On 2nd April, as part of the umbrella Joyce Morris Forum, ROMLIT is holding a free hybrid Public Lecture at the UEA delivered by Romani Gypsy Richard O’Neill MBE, who will talk about his involvement in the ROMLIT project and his experience co-creating stories with Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Early Years children.
In his lecture, Richard O’Neill, a best-selling author, educator and advocate, will be delving into the myths and misconceptions surrounding modern Gypsy Roma and Traveller families and their relationship with education.
Drawing on his lived experience within a nomadic family and working in schools. Richard will share how cultural understanding and inclusivity can transform early years settings into welcoming, empowering environments for Gypsy, Roma, Traveller children and their families.
Book your place for free: bit.ly/Caravan2Classroom
For those attending in person: Free parking on campus, refreshments and networking after the lecture.
About Richard O’Neill
Richard O’Neill MBE is an acclaimed storyteller, educator, and author based in the North of England. Born into a traditional Romani family, his upbringing inspires his work promoting inclusion, diversity, and community cohesion.
An award-winning writer published by major publishers including HarperCollins and Bloomsbury, Richard has been recognised as a National Literacy Hero and received the Aesop Medal, a Royal Literary Society Award, and a Doctorate of Letters from the University of Sunderland.
Richard is a creative lead at Seven Stories (the national centre for children’s books), advisor to the Ready Generations intergenerational nursery, and Professor in Practice at Durham University. Through storytelling, he champions inclusion and celebrates diverse voices.
About ROMLIT
ROMLIT is an innovative project which develops Early Years Literacies through Gypsy, Roma and Traveller heritage. ROMLIT helps unlock the potential of all children’s literacies through context-specific, community-sensitive and relevant materials and practices it helps develop. We use participatory and children-led methodologies which are sensitive to the needs of parents, carers and children at the early years stage.
To find out more about the ROMLIT programme, please download and read the leaflet below:
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