The University of the West Indies has learnt with profound regret of the passing of Professor Emeritus Alston Barrington (Barry) Chevannes on Friday, November 5, 2010 at the University Hospital of the West Indies.

Barrington (Barry) Chevannes,  first joined the University of the West Indies in 1973.  As a public scholar he was continuously engaged with issues dear to the hearts of the Jamaican and Caribbean people throughout his career at UWI. As a Masters student he was involved in the study of Afro-Caribbean culture and religion as well as one of the earliest scientific studies of the social impact of Ganja in Jamaica. He went on to do a PhD on Rastafari at Columbia University. From work in these areas, he published two books Rastafari: Roots and Ideology and Rastafari and Other African Caribbean Worldviews. He was also well known for his more recent work on socialization, the family, fatherhood, masculinity and sexuality; out of which came his book Learning to Be a Man: Culture, Socialization, and Gender Identity in Five Caribbean Communities. In 2006, he published Betwixt and Between: Explorations in an African-Caribbean Mindscape which provided his insights into the essence of Caribbean culture.

Prof. Chevannes’ association with the UWI spans the Institute of Social and Economic Research now The Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social and Economic Studies and the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social work where he served as Head. He was subsequently appointed Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, a position which he held until 2004 when he was appointed Director of the newly created Centre for Public Safety and Justice.  He played a leadership role in the University Township Project which built on work that he had done for many years in the surrounding communities of Greater August Town.

Barry was the recipient of several national, international and University awards: Commander of the Order of Distinction, the Institute of Jamaica Centenary Medal for work in the field of culture (1979); the Norman Manley Award for Excellence in the field of social development (1997); the UWI Guild of Graduates Pelican Award for contribution in the field of anthropology (1998); and the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in research, teaching, University service, and service to the wider society. He was also an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute.

His public service was exceptional. He we was Chair of the Council of the Institute of Jamaica, founder of Fathers Incorporated, and of Partners for Peace, and is recognized for his original contribution to Jamaican folk and religious music. He chaired the National Commission on Ganja in 2000-2001, was a member of the Peace Management Initiative of the Ministry of National Security, Chairman of the Jamaican Justice System Reform Task Force and Co-chaired the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development.

Barry Chevannes’ passing is a tremendous loss for the university to which he devoted almost a lifetime of service. The University extends its most sincere condolences to his wife Pauletta his two daughters Abena and Amba and to all the other members of his family.