The American Historical Association voted to select Vice- Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles as its Honorary Foreign Scholar for 2023.

The Association has annually recognised a foreign scholar since 1885, and the list includes the most acclaimed international historians.

Past President of the Association and Distinguished Professor at University of Wisconsin, James H. Sweet, commended the contribution of Professor Beckles to historical scholarship, his efforts to internationalise historical study, and his crucial role as a mentor to other scholars.

The award was presented at the Association’s 2023 ceremony in Philadelphia on January 5. In response, Professor Beckles noted, “This award by my American peers is among the greatest of academic honours, which I accept on behalf of The UWI that gave me the opportunity as a young historian to develop and contribute at the global level.”

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles is the second Caribbean scholar to receive the award, following the legendary Cuban historian Manuel M. Fraginals in 1998.