"Psychology of Caribbean People: At Home and Abroad" is the theme of the 8th annual Psychology Conference being held March 11-13, 2009 at the Old Dramatic Theatre, UWI, Mona.

The Conference begins with an Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 5 pm. Professor Elsa Leo-Rhynie, former principal of UWI, Mona will be the guest speaker. She will address the historical development of the psychology programme at the UWI, Mona.

The event features two keynote addresses by Dr. Michael Lambert, a Jamaican psychologist who has worked in the United States for two decades, and Dr. Sharon Gopaul-McNicol, a Trinidadian psychologist. Dr. Lambert’s address is titled Two Decades: Footprints of a Jamaican Researcher and speaks to key research he has done developing measures that are suitable for Caribbean children, adults, and families living in the United States. His presentation is scheduled for March 12 at 4:30 pm.

Dr. Gopaul-McNicol will present on the Caribbean political system using data collected from 400 past and present political activists in the 13 CARCIOM countries. Her address titled The Psychology of the Colonialism and the Politics of Psychological Transformation of Key Social Systems in the Caribbean, examines the impact of colonialism on the present day policies and practices of our Caribbean leaders. The presentation will also highlight the fundamental changes that are needed in the Education, Economic, Social, Health and Legal systems and the role that psychologists could play in bringing about this much-needed transformation. Dr. Gopaul-McNicol’s presentation takes place on March 13 at 5:45 p.m.

The Conference also features a Psychology Expo on March 11 from 12 noon to 4 pm to highlight career opportunities in psychology and related areas. There will be a special career panel on March 12 at 12:30 with Mrs. Yvonne Davis from the Jamaica Employers Federation’s, Human Resources Consultant, Ms. Brigitt Hoo Sang, and Dr. Leahcim Semaj from the Job Bank. This year the conference features six (6) panel presentations where researchers will share work done in various areas of Psychology in the Caribbean. Presentations will cover a range of topics such as marital relationships, sports psychology, counselling techniques, and self-esteem issues among Caribbean adolescents.

A new addition to this year’s conference is a demonstration of clinical techniques, Ending Your Phobias, by Dr. Rose Johnson on March 13 at 2:30pm.

The Conference is being hosted by the Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work, UWI, Mona.  It is designed to highlight the work researchers have done with Caribbean persons living within the region or from the Diaspora.

For further information interested persons may telephone 512-3341 or e-mail uwipsychconf200809@gmail.com.