By The UWI
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has reaffirmed its commitment to centering reparatory justice and sustainability in research, teaching, and learning, as it officially launched the One-UWI Research Cluster on Reparatory Justice on Friday, January 24, 2025. The launch occurred during an online ceremony, setting the stage for fostering a global impact on these critical issues.
Marking the pivotal moment, Dr Sonjah Stanley Niaah, director of the CRR and chair of the Cluster, outlined the Cluster’s core objectives. Among them is to create a multidisciplinary research hub that unites scholars, students, and other key stakeholders to explore the historical, legal, economic, scientific, and cultural dimensions of reparations and engage in international advocacy that fosters dialogue, public events and advocacy efforts locally, regionally, and internationally.
In his address, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, praised the timing and significance of the Cluster, emphasising its relevance to the broader project of higher education globally. He highlighted the link between sustainability, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reparatory justice. He congratulated the Cluster organisers for spearheading this cutting-edge initiative and advancing the critical conversation in the global search for equality for all.
Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Graduate Studies and Research, underscored that the Research Cluster demonstrated The UWI’s profound commitment to addressing the historical injustices that have shaped the socio-economic landscape of the Caribbean. She reaffirmed the university’s mission to contribute to transforming the Caribbean into a region where justice, equity, and sustainable development are fully realised.
Sandrea Maynard, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs, highlighted that the establishment of the Cluster further solidified the long-standing work of the CRR and The UWI. She urged researchers to prioritise the legal implications of reparatory justice in their research agendas.
Other speakers at the launch event included Professor Silvia Kouwenberg, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Education and a member of the Research Cluster and Lucy Gaffney, company director at The Repair Campaign.
Professor Kouwenberg stressed the importance of recognising language in the pursuit of reparatory justice, while Gaffney cautioned that the SDGs could not be fully realised unless the ex-colonial powers took responsibility for repair.
The creation of this Research Cluster is part of The UWI’s broader strategy to enhance the quality and impact of its research, which will directly inform curriculum development and teaching across the institution. Notably, the Cluster’s work complements initiatives such as The UWI/University of Glasgow Master of Arts in Reparatory Justice which welcomed its first cohort in the 2023/2024 academic year.
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