UCCI’S PROFESSOR LIVINGSTON SMITH ELECTED PRESIDENT OF CARIBBEAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION

The University of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) has today announced that Professor Livingston Smith, Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs and Workforce Education, has been elected as the new President of the Caribbean Sociological Association (CASA). This honor took place during CASA’s recent conference at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica.

Professor Smith has been an active member of CASA, serving as Vice-President for the past two years. Now, as President, he will lead the association’s mission to highlight the important role that sociology plays in solving key issues in the Caribbean. CASA focuses on improving the quality of life in the region through research, education, and advocacy.

“It is an honor to lead such an impactful organization,” said Professor Smith. “Sociology is key to understanding and addressing the challenges we face as a region, and I look forward to continuing our work in bringing practical solutions through research and collaboration.”

At the conference, Professor Smith joined a panel of experts discussing how sociology helps us understand Caribbean society. He was joined by Professor Ian Boxill from the University of the West Indies, Professor Vilna Bashi Osborn from Northwestern University in the USA, and Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana.

Several other UCCI faculty members also took part in the conference, showcasing the university’s strong commitment to research in the Caribbean. They presented the following topics:

• Dr. Kadeshah Swearing: “Financial Crimes in the Caribbean: Challenges, Impacts, and Strategic Responses”

• Professor Eustache Placide: “Re-imagining Development for a Sustainable and Just Global Community Through AI and Technology”

• Dr. Erica Gordon: “Decolonization Through Education: The Role of the Caribbean Examinations Council in Reshaping Secondary Education in Jamaica”

• Dr. Stephanie Fullerton-Cooper: “Re- and Deconstruction of Black Beauty in Creative Spaces”

Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Graduate Studies and Research at UWI, hosted the event.

Looking ahead, Professor Smith is excited to bring the next CASA conference to the Cayman Islands in 2025. He encourages sociologists from various fields to submit papers on topics such as Cultural Sociology, Medical Sociology, Criminology, Sociology of Education, Economic Sociology, Gender Studies, and more. This conference will provide a valuable platform for sociologists to share their work and contribute to addressing pressing issues in the Caribbean.

For more information or to join the Caribbean Sociological Association (CASA), contact Professor Smith at LSmith@ucci.edu.ky .