Dr Bernard Rorke was born in Dublin and lives in Budapest. He has an MSc in Politics and Sociology from Birkbeck College, University of London and a PhD from the Centre for the Study of Democracy, University of Westminster. His PhD thesis was entitled ‘Beyond Friends and Enemies: The Politics of Irish Nationalism in the Twentieth Century’.
He worked as international research and advocacy director for the Open Society Roma Initiatives until December 2013. Prior to that he was director of the Roma Participation Program. He worked on Roma issues with the Open Society Foundations since 1998. He currently teaches the “Roma Rights” course at the Central European University in Budapest. He is a regular contributor and commentator on Roma issues.
Recent policy briefs/ reports
Bernard Rorke, Beyond First Steps: What Next for the EU Framework for Roma Integration?, Open Society Foundations, March 2013
Bernard Rorke (ed.) Review of EU Framework National Roma Integration Strategies, Open Society Foundations, February 2012.
Bernard Rorke, Beyond Rhetoric: Roma Integration Roadmap for 2020, Open Society Foundations, June 2011
Bernard Rorke, An EU Framework for Roma Integration by 2020: A New Departure or Much Ado about Nothing? European Policy Initiative, Policy Brief 31, May 2011
Recent articles
Bernard Rorke, Roma integration and 'a normal way of living’, Open Democracy, 1 June 2014
Bernard Rorke, What Future for the EU Framework? What Prospects for Roma Inclusion? Roma Rights, European Roma Rights Centre, 6 January 2014
Bernard Rorke, National Roma integration strategies failing Romani children, Open Democracy, 7 June 2013
Bernard Rorke, A Good Start: The Key to a Better Future for Roma Children, Open Society Voices, 14 June 2013
Bernard Rorke, Hate is where the heart is: Time for Europe to confront anti-Gypsyism, Open Democracy, 2 May 2013
Bernard Rorke, What Can the EU Do for Roma in the Face of Rising Populism and Prejudice? Open Society Voices, 20 March 2013
Bernard Rorke, Roma inclusion in 2012: no respite in prejudice, Open Democracy, 11 January 2013
Bernard Rorke, The Roma rights dilemma of the French left, Open Democracy,12 September 2012
Bernard Rorke, Killing Time: The Lethal Force of Anti-Roma Racism, Open Society Voices, 18 July 2012.
Bernard Rorke, The Ties That Bind: Common Belonging and Equal Citizenship, UNDP Development & Transition Opportunities for Roma Inclusion, Issue 19 June 2012.