The Institute for Gender and Development Studies (IGDS) is a dynamic Unit within The University of the West Indies that is engaged in a programme of teaching and research in Women’s/Feminist/Gender Studies, Sexuality Studies, Critical Studies on Men and Masculinities and Gender and Development Studies; and outreach aimed at transforming Caribbean societies.
The mission of IGDS is to produce and disseminate knowledge to transform gender relations in the Caribbean in support of The UWI’s mission to enhance regional and international development.
IGDS was originally established as the Centre for Gender and Development Studies (CGDS) in 1993, arising out of the initiatives of the Women and Development Studies Group. CGDS was later institutionalized through an outgrowth of the path-breaking work of the Women and Development Studies Group and a Project of Cooperation in Teaching and Research in Women and Development Studies between the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Institute of Social Studies at the Hague. The regional coordinating unit is based at the Mona Campus in Jamaica with units on three of campuses of the University (Cave Hill, Mona, and St Augustine).
In 2008, the Centre for Gender and Development Studies attained Institute status and was renamed the Institute for Gender and Development Studies. The IGDS: NBU offers undergraduate minors in the Faculties of Social Sciences and Humanities. Since 2007 it has offered Master and Doctor of Philosophy degrees and a taught Master of Science degree since 2016. Graduates of our PhD programme teach in Gender and Cultural Studies departments in the Caribbean and North America. Among our MSc students are recipients of Organisation of American States and Canada/CARICOM leadership scholarships. IGDS: NBU faculty research and publish in the areas of intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, feminist methodology, feminist pedagogy, transnational mothering, migration, sexualities, feminist theory, women’s/feminist organizing and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organizing
The Caribbean Institute in Gender and Development, the only regional training programme of its kind stands out as the marquee outreach programme of the IGDS: NBU, inaugurated in 1992. Rounding out our outreach portfolio is the European Union funded LIVITY Project: Enhancing Eastern Caribbean CSOs for Social Change and PATHs to Character: Promoting Agency Trust and Hope among incarcerated youth in Barbados.
The Unit offers several undergraduate courses and a minor in Gender and Development Studies. Postgraduate students can pursue an MPhil, MSc. and PhD in Gender and Development Studies.