The Department was thrilled to host our very first MPhil/PhD gathering on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. The theme was “Inspiring Academic Leadership through Research in Information Studies”. The aim was to encourage both current and potential research students in presentations and conversation that will foster interest in graduate research in Information Studies, as well as build a new cadre of researchers in the Department. 

There were two sessions for the gathering: the morning session for invited persons with an interest in graduate research and the afternoon session for registered MPhil and PhD candidates. Several distinguished guests gave excellent presentations on the relevance and value of doctoral research during the morning session as follows: Professors Silvia Kouwenberg (topic: Research in the Humanities), Jeannette Bastian (Research in the Information Domain), Marcia Roye (research at the UWI), Donna Hope (research and public life) and Dr. Paulette Kerr (Research and Information Leadership). Ms. Sparkle Ferreira (PhD candidate) chaired a lightening talk session in which all eight (8) MPhil and PhD candidates shared highlights about their research projects.

The afternoon session focused on the current MPhil/PhD candidates. The candidates as well as their supervisors, Dr. Stanley Griffin and Professor Jeannette Bastian returned for another round of presentations which included Deputy Dean, Graduate Studies and Research, Dr. Schuyler Esprit’s presentation on “Procedural Process and Research Networking.” Ms. Sandra Stubbs (DLIS PhD candidate) presented on “Research Resources” and Professor Bastian presented on “Publishing: Preparation, Expectations, and Outlets”.

The Department took the opportunity to thank Dr. Paulette Kerr (retired Mona Campus Librarian) and Ms Rosemarie Runcie (Retired Departmental Liaison Librarian) for her exemplary service to the Department and wished her a happy retirement by gifting her with gift baskets and plaque respectively.

Left: Mrs. Peta-Gaye Richards (Lecturer); Right: Dr. Paulette Kerr (Past Head of Department & Retired University of the West Indies, Mona Campus Librarian)

This gathering is the first of several initiatives to encourage a research culture in the DLIS, grow a cadre of academic researchers in the domain of Information Studies and stop the departmental practice of sending research applicants to other disciplines/departments in the Faculty. A second research-level session will be held, and graduate-level (MA) and undergraduate sessions are being planned for semester II.