UCCI HOSTS 17th BIENNIAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCATION OF CARIBBEAN WOMEN WRITERS AND SCHOLARS

The University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) recently hosted over 50 creatives and academics for the 17th Biennial Conference of the Association of Caribbean Women Writers & Scholars (ACWWS), a premier event that brought together leading academics, writers, and scholars from across the globe.

The conference, themed ‘Global Feminist Leadership in a Time of Crisis: Scholarship, Advocacy, Activism, Creativity, and Pedagogy,’ was held from June 12 to 14, 2025, at UCCI’s Sir Vassel Johnson Hall, with additional cultural events taking place off-site.

The conference featured a diverse range of keynote speakers and presentations. Merle Collins, Professor Emerita at the University of Maryland, delivered the keynote address titled ‘Unknown Bards: Community Philosophers, Political Thinkers’. This was followed by a myriad of high-profile speakers from global educational establishments including City University New York (CUNY), Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University and Rutgers University.

The event also included a packed schedule of breakout sessions covering various topics such as Caribbean women’s activism, female leadership, gender power, and feminist literature. Some notable presentations included:

• Reimagining Women’s Labour and Advancement in Times of Crises by Dr. Daniele Bobb, The University of the West Indies, Cavehill.

• Heels on the Glass: Power, Pettiness, and Gender Politics #TheOtherGlassCeiling by Dr. Kadeshah Swearing, UCCI

• Surfacing Women’s Work: Female Leadership, Conflict, and Erasure in Colonial Latin American Documents by Dr. Karen Graubart, University of Notre Dame

• Caribbean Queens: How the Public Remembers Women’s Revolt by Dr. Rosamond S. King, Brooklyn College, City University of New York

• Female Flight & Fright: Boo-Hags as a Figure of Resistance in Eden Royce’s Root Magic by Dr. Giselle Anatol, University of Kansas

• Compounded Islamophobia: The Impact of Anti-Black Racism and Gender-Based Discrimination on Black Women’s Mental Health by Dr. Fatimah Jackson-Best, York University

The conference also included a cultural event at The National Gallery, Cayman Islands, and an island tour that visited historical sites such as Pedro St. James, the National Museum and Minds Eye.

The conference was made possible through the support of various local organizations, including the Cayman Islands National Museum, Cayman Islands Monetary Authority, National Gallery of the Cayman Islands, Cayman National Cultural Foundation, Ministry of Education, and Department of Tourism, Tortuga Rum Company, Lions Club of Tropical Gardens, Goddard Catering and Lindo’s Tours and Transport.

By hosting this international event, UCCI and the Cayman Islands demonstrated their commitment to promoting Caribbean women’s scholarship, advocacy, and creativity on a global stage. The conference not only highlighted the region’s rich cultural heritage but also fostered a climate of cooperation among linguistic and cultural groups of the Caribbean.

Event organiser Dr. Stephanie-Fullerton-Cooper, commented, “The 17th Biennial Conference of the Association of Caribbean Women Writers & Scholars was a resounding success, bringing together leading academics and writers from across the globe. The conference provided a platform for critical examinations of Caribbean women’s literature and multidisciplinary research. It was an honour to host this event at UCCI, showcasing our commitment to promoting Caribbean women’s scholarship and creativity.”

Professor Bailey, President of The Association of Caribbean Women Writers & Scholars (ACWWS), continued, “The Association of Caribbean Women Writers & Scholars continues to play a vital role in advancing creative writing and critical work about Caribbean women. The 17th Biennial Conference was a testament to the power of feminist leadership and scholarship in our region.”

The success of this event underscores the Cayman Islands’ growing reputation as a hub for cultural and academic excellence in the region

This year, as UCCI celebrates “50 Years of Empowering Dreams, Transforming Lives,” the university continues to embrace opportunities that highlight its role in advancing education, culture, and regional collaboration across the Caribbean and beyond.