A ɫƵ academic has been honoured with a rarely bestowed award in recognition of her ‘outstanding’ human rights research and advocacy.
Dr Sindy Joyce – a sociologist and lecturer ɫƵ, and Human Rights Defender (HRD) – has been presented with the prestigious Praeses Elit Award by Trinity Law Society, in acknowledgment of her “outstanding commitment to promoting the fair and equal application of the law”.
Presenting the award, the society outlined its “myriad reasons” for honouring Dr Joyce – in particular, how her contribution to Mincéirs’/Traveller access to justice has highlighted extremely important failures of the Irish justice system.
“Her contribution to the Irish Travellers’ Access to Justice report was essential in its research and findings, highlighting a number of issues that State-run institutions have created with the Traveller Community,” they stated.
“The report highlights the chronic mistreatment of the Traveller Community by the State, outlining potential solutions including a proposal for an independent complaints mechanism.”
The society went on to describe Dr Joyce’s advocacy for the Mincéirs/Traveller Community as “long-lasting” and “extremely important”.
“As the first Traveller to be awarded a PhD from an Irish university, she has used her expertise to stand up for Traveller rights. As the first Traveller member of the Council of State, she has been an outstanding example for young Travellers across Ireland on how they can advocate for their rights.”
Dr Joyce, from Newcastle West in Co. Limerick, has led ground-breaking research into the relationship between Travellers and the Irish criminal justice system. Her PhD thesis addressed the original question of how anti-Traveller racism shapes young people’s use of and movement through public space; and her research since has explored human rights, racism, hate crime, ethnicity/identity, and social/political constructions of Irish Travellers. A UL alumna, she also holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and History, and a Master’s in Sociology.
Dr Joyce is a member of President Michael D. Higgins’ Council of State as well as the anti-racism committee for the National Action Plan Against Racism. In 2019, she was part of the Irish delegation to present evidence to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on the treatment of Travellers in Ireland.
Dr Joyce said she was “deeply honoured” to receive the award.
“I am delighted to have my work and activity of championing for human rights, equality and a fair and just society acknowledged in such a way. It is fantastic to have the work of the Irish Travellers’ Access to Justice project recognised and our recommendations endorsed (including a proposal for an independent complaint mechanism) by such a prestigious law society.”
Originally founded by former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner Mary Robinson, the Praeses Elit Award is granted to “those who have advanced discourse in their line of work, and who have been a source of inspiration for young people everywhere”.
Previous recipients include film and TV director Lenny Abrahamson, musician and activist Sir Bob Geldof, journalist and diplomat Samantha Power, and actors Brian Cox and Ruth Negga.
Dr Sandra Joyce, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, congratulated Dr Joyce on being honoured with the award.
“I'm absolutely delighted to hear that my colleague, Dr Sindy Joyce, has been nominated for such a prestigious award. It is a well-deserved recognition of Sindy’s inspiring work over many years. Sindy’s dedication and compassion continue to make a meaningful impact, and this honour reflects the depth of her contribution.”