The academic year 2020/2021 was a challenging one. However, SALISES staff rose to the occasion and their output is significant in respect of the strategic objectives for the fourth year of The UWI’s and SALISES’ Strategic Plans.
In terms of Access, the transition of the MSc in Development Studies to online delivery mode yielded a 360% increase in student enrolment. SALISES academic staff continued to contribute new publications to the scholarly community. Academic staff across the three SALISES campus units reported thirty-five peer-reviewed publications.
Don Marshall, Director of SALISES Cave Hill, was promoted to The UWI’s highest academic rank of Professor in International Political Economy and Development Studies in May 2021.
Dr. Dacia Leslie, SALISES Mona, received the Principal’s Award for Best Faculty of Social Sciences Publication for the academic year 2019/2020 for her book, Recidivism in the Caribbean – Improving the Reintegration of Jamaican Ex-prisoners, and Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee, University Director, received the esteemed Vice-Chancellor’s Award for All Round Excellence in Research, Teaching and University Service. Professor Henry-Lee was also inducted into the Virtual Hall of Honour for 100 Saint Lucian Women by the Saint Lucia National Reparations Committee (NRC) for her contribution to the island’s educational achievements.
SALISES’ research work continues to be aligned to the needs of small island developing states (SIDS). Numerous conferences and 32 seminars were held that addressed developmental issues affecting SIDS.
SALISES' culture is driven by principles of transformation, excellence, accountability and mission-driven work (TEAM). Great agility was shown by SALISES’ academic staff as they continued to make their mark with regard to winning national, regional and international projects and attracting research funds, all of which, have been instrumental in advancing The UWI’s ranking among tertiary institutions regionally and internationally. Staff-centred activities were also pursued to foster a creative, caring, accountable, motivated and professional team.
SALISES team members are to be highly commended for their work and tireless effort during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
Access
Improving the quality, quantity and impact of research, innovation and publication.
Number of research publications in ranked refereed journals:
SALISES academic staff continued to contribute new publications to the scholarly community. Staff reported thirty-five peer-reviewed publications across the three campus units: St. Augustine – 16, Cave Hill – 7 and Mona – 12.
ALIGNMENT
Promoting greater activism and public advocacy.
SALISES continued hosting events despite the setback associated with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Numerous conferences and 32 seminars were held that addressed developmental issues affecting small island developing states (SIDS). These included:
SALISES Mona Staff presented at SALISES staff seminars and other conferences/seminars. They made a total of 16 presentations.
- the jointly hosted Vice-Chancellor's Forum/Distinguished Arthur Lewis Virtual Event on June 21, 2021. The Prime Minister of Barbados, The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley, QC, MP, and Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Director of the Centre for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, were the featured speakers where they engaged “A Conversation on Sustainable Islands Futures”.
- Hosting of the Annual Conference of the Caribbean Sociological Association under the theme “Disruption and Confusion: COVID-19 and Children in the Caribbean”, June 12, 2021
- SALISES’ 21st Annual Conference, held virtually during the period December 10–13, 2020, at the Mount Irvine Bay Hotel and Resort, Tobago, under the theme “The Rise of Global Populism and its Policy Impact on Caribbean Development”.
- The 15th Annual Caribbean Child Research Conference (CCRC) held virtually in partnership with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) from November 25–26, 2020, under the theme “Pandemics and Children’s Rights – UN Convention on the Rights of the Child”.
Increasing and improving academic/industry research partnerships
SALISES continued to forge academic and industry research partnerships on regional and global issues. Commissioned research projects included:
- International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) – Development of a Comprehensive Wealth Index for Trinidad and Tobago, SALISES, St. Augustine.
- Rights of Children and Youth Partnership, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), Canada – Strengthening Collaboration in the Americas (RCYP)
- International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Canada – Tracking Progress in the SDGs Initiative, SALISES, Cave Hill and Mona
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Project – Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19 on Jamaica, SALISES, Mona
- Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) – Situational Analysis of persons with Disabilities in Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. SALISES Mona and St. Augustine
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was entered into between The UWI, SALISES St. Augustine and the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC). The project, entitled “Discrimination Experienced Among Persons with Disabilities in Trinidad and Tobago: Assessing Complaints Lodged with the Equal Opportunities Commission”, commenced in June 2021.
- SALISES Mona also entered into an MoU with the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission (JTECH) to establish a robust intelligence system for the conduct of research and data gathering to advance research and policy recommendations in the higher education sector of Jamaica. The partnership is for two years.
AGILITY
Fostering a creative, caring, accountable, motivated, professional (CAMP) teamI
SALISES’ culture is driven by principles of transformation, excellence, accountability and mission-driven work (TEAM). The following staff-centred activities fostered a creative, caring, accountable, motivated and professional team:
- WhatsApp groups were created to improve communication and create camaraderie among staff.
- Campus/Regional staff meetings were held each semester.
- Administrative, Technical and Service members of staff were eligible for the Employee of the Semester Award, which is given to staff who have performed ‘exceptionally’ during the period.
- Academic members of staff were eligible for the SALISES Outstanding Teacher Award, which is given to the lecturer with the highest teaching score in the MSc Development Studies programme.
- Academic members of staff were eligible for the SALISES Top Researcher Award, which is given to the Fellow with the highest publication output.
- Staff achievements professionally and personally were celebrated and highlighted at staff meetings and retreats.
- Staff members were celebrated, for example, at birthdays, retirement/resignation functions.
- Condolences were expressed publicly to bereaved members of staff.
- Functions were held to celebrate holidays, for example Christmas.
- Staff members were encouraged to attend training sessions facilitated by The UWI or the department.
