The University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) is set to host the Caribbean Sociological Association (CASA) Annual Conference 2025 from Wednesday, September 24 to Friday, September 26. The event will take place at UCCI’s campus and marks a major highlight of the institution’s golden jubilee celebrations, commemorating 50 years of academic service and leadership in the Cayman Islands.
Themed “Mobilising Caribbean Sociologies: Bridging Theory, Method, and Fields of Sociology for Sustainable Caribbean Development,” the three-day conference will bring together leading scholars, researchers, and policy experts from across the Caribbean, North America, and Europe. More than 20 universities and institutions will be represented, including the University of the West Indies, Toronto Metropolitan University, California Lutheran University, and UCCI.
The conference will officially begin on Wednesday, September 24 at 12:30 p.m., with sessions scheduled throughout each day, including panels, workshops, and student forums. The programme addresses a wide range of issues shaping Caribbean societies today, from gender justice, migration, and public health to artificial intelligence, digital inclusion, and economic transformation. Discussions will also focus on youth development, incarceration, indigenous knowledge systems, and community resilience.
A major highlight of the conference is the public keynote address by Dr. Alissa Trotz, Professor of Caribbean Studies and Director of Women and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto. Dr. Trotz will speak on Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. in UCCI’s Vassel Johnson Hall, delivering a talk titled “Transnational Migration, Remittances, and Diaspora Engagement.” The keynote is free and open to the public.
Additional distinguished speakers include Dr. Dacia Leslie, Senior Research Fellow at SALISES; Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee, Director at SALISES, UWI; Dr. Roy McCree, sociologist and researcher; Talia Esnard, Head of Behavioural Sciences at UWI; Dr. Russell Stockard of California Lutheran University; and Dr. Patricia Robinson, Registrar at UCCI. More than 60 academic papers will be presented over the course of the conference.
Reflecting CASA’s commitment to youth empowerment, senior high school and tertiary-level students in the Cayman Islands can attend free of charge. For members of the public, the registration fee is CI $50, which includes lunch for all three days. Delegates will also enjoy networking sessions, a welcome reception, and an optional island tour.
“This is an opportunity for our local community to engage with important research and regional policy conversations,” said Dr. Livingston Smith, President of CASA and Acting President and CEO of UCCI. “We are honoured to bring together such a diverse and distinguished group of thinkers. The insights generated here will resonate far beyond the academic sphere.”
