David Kandrac BA (Hons), PgDip
Roma Consultant | Medical-Legal Interpreter | Professional Trainer
Born in Bystrany, Slovakia, and later living in Moravia in the Czech Republic before settling in the United Kingdom, my personal and professional journey has been shaped by multilingual environments, migration and long-term engagement with diverse communities across different social and cultural contexts.
Having lived in both South Wales and Sheffield, I developed an early awareness of the challenges many Roma individuals and families experience when navigating unfamiliar systems, language barriers and institutional environments. These experiences continue to inform my work across legal, healthcare, safeguarding and educational settings.
Fluent in Romani, Slovak, Czech and English, I combine lived experience with over fifteen years of frontline work across healthcare, legal, safeguarding, education and multi-agency environments throughout the United Kingdom. My work has involved supporting communication within sensitive and often high-risk situations, including matters relating to child protection, mental health, domestic abuse, SEND processes, school exclusion, police procedures and family proceedings.
Academic Background
The University of Sheffield
PgDip Psychology and Education (Distinction)
Sept 2022 – Sept 2023
The University of Sheffield
BA (Hons) Education, Culture and Childhood with a Foundation Year (First Class Honours)
Sept 2017 – Sept 2021
Publications & Research
- Kandrac, D. (2027). From the Ghetto to a Russell Group University: A Roma Man’s Journey Through Education and Financial Struggle. In Gypsies, Roma and Travellers in Higher Education: Contemporary Critical Perspectives. Routledge. View publication.
- Lehane, D., Kandrac, D., Walton, E. and Mitchell, C. (2020) ‘What influences Roma women attending NHS cervical screening? Knowledge, fear, and passive consent’, British Journal of General Practice, 70(suppl 1), bjgp20X711089. doi:10.3399/bjgp20X711089. Read publication.
- Kandrac, D. (2019) What is the experience of Slovak Roma children in state education in Slovakia and, since they have moved to South Yorkshire, what is the impact on their educational performance? British Conference of Undergraduate Research (BCUR), University of South Wales, p.114. Available here
- Research Collaboration, Participant Recruitment and Cultural Mediation for PhD Research Projects
Public Engagement & Media
- Guest Lecturer for Social Work and Medical Students at The University of Sheffield
- Guest Speaker on BBC Radio Sheffield with Toby Foster on Roma Education and Lived Experience
- Delivered Cultural, Educational and Safeguarding Training Across the United Kingdom
- Featured in The Sheffield Tribune (2023), contributing professional and lived-experience perspectives on Roma migration, education, community integration, and social inclusion in Sheffield. Read article.
- The Star (2019) Sheffield student’s mission to inspire the city’s Roma community. Featured in The Star, highlighting community engagement, educational advocacy, and work supporting Roma families and young people in Sheffield. Read article.
- TEDx (2017) Sheffield Speaker on Roma Identity and Lived Experience. Watch Here
Professional Values
✓ Professional Integrity
✓ Cultural Competence
✓ Safeguarding Awareness
✓ Ethical Practice
✓ Confidentiality
✓ Multilingual Communication
✓ Native Romani Insight
✓ Equality & Inclusion
✓ Advocacy & Representation
✓ Cross-Cultural Engagement
✓ Trauma-Informed Awareness
✓ Community Engagement
✓ Collaborative Working
✓ Professional Accountability
✓ Education & Awareness Raising
✓ Respect & Human Dignity
✓ Professional Expertise
✓ Evidence-Informed Practice
✓ Public Service Understanding