By Dr. Susan Chand, Dean, School of Social Sciences
The World Anthropological Union (WAU) Congress 2024 took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 11–15, 2024, under the theme “Reimagining Anthropological Knowledge: Perspectives, Practices, and Power.” Dr. Susan Chand, Professor of Medical Anthropology and Dean of the School of Social Sciences at the University of the Southern Caribbean (USC), co-convened a panel (P19) titled “De-colonizing Ethnographic Method and Practice: Perspectives from Migrant/Displaced – Tribal, Indigenous, and Non-Indigenous Populations.”
- Dr. Chand’s presentation, “Storytelling as an Indigenous Research Approach to Healthcare Beliefs and Practices among Indo- and Afro-Trinidadians,” explored storytelling as a tool for understanding cultural health beliefs and practices. Read the abstract here.
- Dr. Clarke presented on “Storytelling as Recreating Cultural Stage for Legendary Bajan Characters: Ossie Moore and King Dyal.” His paper highlighted storytelling as a medium for cultural preservation. Read the abstract here.
Both presentations captivated the audience, showcasing the power of storytelling for data collection, analysis, and reporting. The discussions emphasized the collaborative role of researchers and participants in interpreting stories, enriching their cultural and symbolic meanings.
Dr. Chand and Dr. Clarke are active members of the Migration and Tourism Commission of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences (IUAES), the largest global forum for anthropologists and ethnologists, with members from 75 countries. This commission holds monthly meetings to discuss emerging topics in the field.
