Message From the Dean

Image of Prof. David Tennant

Dr Heather Ricketts

On behalf of the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS), I welcome you warmly to our Faculty and the wider UWI!

You are commencing the 2022-2023 academic year at a historic moment in the life of the Caribbean as independent nation-states, and the life of the UWI as an independent university, delinked from the University of London. Both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago celebrated 60 years of political independence in August 2022, and the UWI will be celebrating its 75th anniversary as a full-fledged university in 2023.  It’s our diamond jubilee!

You are also entering or re-entering after two and a half challenging years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as we are attempting to get back to life as we knew it up to early 2020. You are therefore a special group that has brought back life to the campus and we are happy to have you!

Thank you for the resilience that you demonstrated throughout the pandemic and for taking this bold step to pursue higher education.  An investment in education is always something positive – it will have both pecuniary and non-pecuniary benefits. Your education will also have a profound effect on society. We know that many of you are socially and politically aware and are already engaged in community service and public life. I implore you to use your various platforms of engagement to be advocates for inclusion, civility, respect, integrity, and the upholding of the high ideals of the Faculty. Since we are the home of the Tiger, we expect that you will exhibit the Tiger spirit and show courage and strength. 

Within the Faculty, we take pride in preparing our students to be stewards of public interest and leaders within the public and private sectors. Please take full advantage of our Faculty’s resources, especially as we seek to expand access to internships and experiential learning opportunities for you. In addition, join one or more of the many Clubs and Societies which will make you well-rounded. It is important that you engage in these extra-curricular/co-curricular activities which will serve you well in the future.

Work hard. Get involved. Find your voice. Hone your talents. Be assured that the Faculty of Social Sciences will support your academic journey by offering a caring and supportive environment. 

Welcome!