Faculty

Dr. Phil Scher, Professor of Anthropology and Folklore, Divisional Dean of the College of Arts and Science. His research area is the Caribbean and Caribbean diaspora, with primary research interests in the politics of heritage and cultural identity, popular and public culture, tourism and transnationalism. He began his research career in the Caribbean in 1993 in Trinidad and Tobago where he researched the Trinidad Carnival and its relationship to cultural identity, migration, and tourism. He has a longstanding interest in the folklore and expressive cultural practices of the Caribbean.

Dr. Fitzpatrick specializes in the archaeology of island and coastal regions, particularly in the Pacific and Caribbean. Much of his research focuses on colonization events, seafaring strategies, adaptations to smaller islands, exchange systems, chronometric techniques, and human impacts on ancient environments. He has active field projects in Palau and several islands in the Caribbean, including the Grenadines and Nevis.

Dr. Alexana J. Hickmott is a biological anthropologist and primatologist specializing in behavioral ecology and molecular anthropology. Her research is focused on the evolution of primate diets and the co-evolution of primate gut microbiomes. Her research includes projects with aging marmosets, vervet monkeys, and bonobo gut microbiomes.

Dr. Francis White, Professor & Department Head of Anthropology. As a biological anthropologist and behavioral ecologist, Dr. White’s research interests examine the evolution of human sociality using comparative studies of non-human primates. Her research focuses on the complex interplay between ecology, female sociality, and sex-based social and mating strategies in the evolution of social systems. Dr. White conducts research with bonobos in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and free-ranging lemurs on St. Catherine’s Island, GA. She directs the UO Primate Osteology Lab which houses the UO Primate Osteology Collection along with the Primate Data Lab.

Staff

Jehroum Wood, Director of Research & Development:  Jehroum is an Environmental Management professional.  His whole approach is about finding solutions that strengthen people, the planet, and our pockets.  From spatial planning to video production; he applies a natural science lens to assessing problems and creating sustainable solutions for various local, regional, and international organizations.  He has also worked on communication & capacity building projects of various scales with specific focus on training and education in environmental and natural resource management.

Meike Joseph graduated from the UWI Cave Hill Campus with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology.  During her time at UWI she completed a research project on Remnant Wetlands on the West Coast of Barbados.  This fueled her passion to work on mangrove restoration throughout the island and has also motivated her to work towards more regenerative practices for Barbados.  She also developed a love for beekeeping and has since been working with the Walkers Reserve Apiary Programme (WRAP).  Meike also has over 10 years of experience within the tourism industry, which has greatly increased her communication skills as well as tour and camp managing skills.  Her love for the environment motivates her to find ways in which she can improve environmental awareness, protection and sustainability in Barbados.