The Office of Research and Innovation at USC is at the forefront of advancing our research initiatives. We support faculty, students, and researchers in building research skills, managing campus research policies, and overseeing internal and external research projects. We also assist in securing external funding, foster partnerships with various communities, and promote the dissemination of research benefits.
Vision
The Department of Research and Innovation (DRI) seeks to foster an attitude of excellence in scholarly inquiry within the community of the University of the Southern Caribbean.
Mission
To serve the community by providing an environment for excellence in scientific and innovative research endeavours and academic/creative scholarship.
Our Goals
- To develop a strong community of scholarly researchers.
- To foster innovative research strategies and applications in various disciplines across the
- University of the Southern Caribbean.
- To encourage innovative scholarship that transforms the intellectual capacity of the university community into extraordinary scholars and servants of God.
- To disseminate innovative knowledge and scholarship locally, regionally, and internationally.
Services we Provide
- Grant-Writing: Connect with funding agencies, develop grant proposals, and facilitate publication.
- USC Institutional Review Board (IRB): Approve research projects within the USC community and the local region.
- Training Sessions: Enhance research skills through training on literature review, research design, data analysis, report writing, presentation techniques, ethics, and integrity.
- Publication: Publish research in the USC Journal of Research, a peer-reviewed scholarly journal.
- Networking and Collaboration: Collaborate with local, regional, and international research institutes and institutions.
- Research Support: Access support through Writing Lab sessions and personalised assistance.
- Innovative Research Forums: Engage in monthly Academic Forums to share groundbreaking research and innovative ideas.
Collaboration
The University of Southern Caribbean Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The IRB safeguards the rights, privacy, and dignity of all research participants. Its mission is to ensure compliance with internationally recognised ethical principles.
Key Functions:
- Education, review, approval, and monitoring of research projects.
- Mandatory Research Ethics Training via CIRTification Online (University of Illinois, Chicago).
- Step‑by‑step IRB approval process, including submission of consent forms, instruments, and certificates. Access Forms Here.
IRB Leadership:
- Chairperson: Dr Susan Chand
- Co‑Chairperson: Dr Dave Cassie
- Secretary: Makeda Thomas
- Members: Dr Jeremiah Eaton, Dr Cyril Marshall, Dr Terencia Joseph, Mrs Feona Charles, Dr Grace Eversley‑Jacott
Steps to Obtaining IRB Approval
- Education, review, approval, and monitoring of research projects.
- Mandatory Research Ethics Training via CIRTification Online (University of Illinois, Chicago).
- Step‑by‑step IRB approval process, including submission of consent forms, instruments, and certificates. Access Forms Here.
Complete Mandatory Research Ethics Training via CIRTification Online (University of Illinois, Chicago) and save your certificate.
Gather all required documents and complete with your supervisor. Access Files Here.
Submit all files for review. A complete application form and supporting documents must be submitted here.
Expect preliminary feedback within 2 weeks and an approval letter within 30 days.
Research Activities:
- Annual USC Research Conference – Showcasing diverse research fields, fostering collaboration, and translating findings into action.
- Webinar & Seminar Series – Highlighting faculty and staff research, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting student projects.
- Publications Record (Coming Soon) – A comprehensive archive of faculty and staff research outputs.
The Office of Research and Innovation at the University of the Southern Caribbean is affiliated with the following:
- Professional Development Institute
- USC Research Association
Meet the Team
Director of Research, Contracts & Grants
Administrative Assistant
Makeda Thomas