Educator Dr. Deon Edwards-Kerr has been appointed Dean of the Faculty or Education and Humanities, University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona. She replaces Professor Silvia Kouwenburg, who is retiring.

Dr. Edwards-Kerr who will take up her appointment on August 1, 2025, is a senior lecturer at The UWI’s School of Education, has a distinguished academic profile in
educational research, policy and assessment. Her career reflects a deep interdisciplinary foundation, beginning with a BSc in Economics and Management with Honours (1988– 1991) and an MSc in Economics (1992 – 1995) from The UWI, Mona.

Motivated by a passion for educational development, Dr. Edwards-Kerr transitioned into the field of education, completing a Diploma in Teacher Education at Sam Sharpe

Teachers’ College, in collaboration with The UWI (1997 – 1999). She went on to earn an MSc in Educational Research (2000–2001) and a PhD in Educational Studies (2002– 2005) from the University of Manchester, UK, further deepening her expertise in educational systems, methodologies, and reform.

Dr. Edwards-Kerr has led and contributed to numerous regional research initiatives, resulting in the authorship of 17 technical reports addressing special education policy, curriculum renewal, and education transformation across the Caribbean. These projects were conducted in partnership with ministries of education, international development agencies, and regional education bodies, underscoring her impact on policymaking and educational strategy at systemic levels.

Her scholarly output includes influential texts such as Re-Imagining Education in the Commonwealth Caribbean and the forthcoming Right Start – Performance in Early Childhood Education in Jamaica. Her peer-reviewed articles, such as Locating School Violence in Urban Inner-City Schools in Jamaica and Transitioning from Basic School to Grade One: Early Identification of Students at Risk for Reading Difficulties, highlight her commitment to equity, access, and early intervention in education.

The incoming dean has also contributed to several co-authored monographs and book chapters, reinforcing her standing as a collaborative scholar and thought leader in regional education. Her work is widely recognised for blending rigorous research with actionable insights for improving educational outcomes.