Dr. Duane Edwards of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Guyana (UG) has been appointed President of the Caribbean Sociological Association (CASA), joining a distinguished line of Caribbean leaders who have previously guided the organisation, including professors, vice-chancellors, and deans from across the region.
Reflecting on his appointment, Dr. Edwards said sociology has always been his life’s passion and that leading the foremost sociological association in the Caribbean is both an accomplishment and a responsibility. “As President, I will be responsible for steering the Association toward its objectives, including mainstreaming sociology as a scientific discipline to better understand and develop Caribbean societies,” he stated.
Dr. Edwards’ plans as President include creating more opportunities for sociologists and social scientists in the region and diaspora to share research, strengthening connections between academia, policy, and society, and hosting CASA’s flagship annual conference. He confirmed that the 2026 edition of the conference will be held in Guyana.
At the recently held CASA Annual Conference at the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI), Dr. Edwards participated in plenaries and panels, including a roundtable on the state of sociology globally. He shared his perspective on the role of Caribbean sociology in shaping global sociology and presented a paper examining the shift in Guyana’s national development priorities since becoming a petroleum economy.
The University of Guyana was well represented at the conference, with faculty members contributing to discussions on Guyana’s socio-economic development and wider Caribbean issues. Attendees included FSS Dean Dr. Dianna DaSilva-Glasgow, former Dean Dr. Paulette Henry, Assistant Dean Ms. Dionne Frank, and other colleagues from the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Dr. Edwards noted that his appointment creates new opportunities for research collaboration, student and faculty exchanges, and stronger regional linkages to tackle shared challenges across Caribbean societies.
The 5th CASA Annual Conference, held from September 24–26, 2025, at UCCI as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, was the largest CASA gathering to date. The event featured more than 60 papers, along with roundtables and plenaries, and brought together scholars, students, policymakers, and practitioners from across the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. The conference served as a platform for advancing sociological research, dialogue, and collaboration across borders.
The University of Guyana congratulates Dr. Edwards on this achievement and extends best wishes for his tenure as President of the Caribbean Sociological Association.
