News Releases

UWI Prof. Sonjah Stanley Niaah Appointed to Global Expert Panel on Restitution of Cultural Heritage

For Release Upon Receipt - August 19, 2026

St. Augustine


The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I., Wednesday, August 19, 2026—The University of the West Indies (The UWI) proudly announces the appointment of Sonjah Stanley Niaah, renowned Scholar and Professor of Cultural Studies, Director of the Centre for Reparation Research and Interim Director of the Indigenous and Maroon Studies Institute at The UWI, to the distinguished panel on Restitution of Cultural Heritage.  

The groundbreaking panel was established following the High-Level Consultative Conference on the Next Steps to the United Nations Resolution on the Trafficking of Enslaved Africans, held in Accra, Ghana, in June 2026. It marks a bold step toward reparatory justice and restoring Africa’s cultural heritage. 

The initiative draws momentum from UN General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/80/250), which declared the trafficking of enslaved Africans and racialised chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. The panel also builds on recent high-level discussions between His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, and Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, during the Presidential Visit to The UWI Regional Headquarters in Jamaica earlier this month.  

Commenting on her appointment, Professor Stanley Niaah said, “I am standing squarely within my purpose to make a difference in the lives of people of African descent through a life of service in education, research, and activism, from which we can see real change. I am honoured to be invited to serve in this global capacity for restitution of cultural heritage, a reparatory justice issue which is very close to my heart.”  

The inaugural gathering of global experts will convene on August 20, 2026. Professor Stanley Niaah joins a distinguished assembly of 11 global experts, representing diverse fields and nations across Africa and the African diaspora, including Egypt, Peru, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal, Benin, Mauritius, and the United States of America. United in purpose, they will offer strategic and policy guidance to drive forward structured, timely, and accountable processes for the restitution of cultural heritage. 

The Panel is tasked with spearheading a comprehensive programme of action, expanding global databases to trace cultural artefacts held overseas and crafting standardised frameworks for restitution claims by original states and institutions, setting clear and achievable timelines for phased returns, and ensuring transparency and accountability, while empowering countries to strengthen museums, archives, and cultural institutions to receive, preserve, and interpret returned artefacts. At the same time, the Panel aims to elevate restitution as a pivotal issue in international diplomacy, cultural collaboration, and global justice, shifting from symbolic acts to meaningful, large-scale repatriation. 

Professor Stanley Niaah is a leading Caribbean intellectual whose influential work in cultural studies has propelled regional and global dialogues on heritage, identity, and justice. Her distinguished career seamlessly weaves together scholarship, advocacy, and leadership. As Director of the Centre for Reparation Research and Interim Director of the Indigenous and Maroon Studies Institute, she champions reparatory justice, cultural sovereignty, and indigenous heritage. Professor Stanley Niaah also serves as Editor of the Journal of Caribbean Sound & Music Cultures, a trailblazing publication devoted to Caribbean expressive cultures. Her international impact is further highlighted by her role as Jamaica’s Representative and Member of the International Scientific Committee of UNESCO’s Routes of Enslaved Peoples Project, where she helps document and elevate the histories and legacies of enslaved Africans worldwide. 

Her appointment reflects the international esteem for her expertise and the profound impact of her work on cultural sovereignty and reparatory justice. Through her extensive research, teaching, and public engagement, Professor Stanley Niaah has shaped the conversation around Caribbean cultural life and its significance in global heritage debates.  

This appointment provides a strong regional voice on the international stage, ensuring that the unique heritage and interests of Caribbean communities are robustly represented and protected in global discussions and restitution processes. It also opens new opportunities for collaborative initiatives, access to resources, and enhanced cultural exchanges, supporting the growth and international recognition of local museums, institutions, and heritage practitioners. Professor Stanley Niaah’s involvement highlights The University of the West Indies’ leadership in championing cultural sovereignty, historical justice, and global reparatory initiatives. The UWI takes great pride in having one of its distinguished members contribute to this transformative global effort. 

 

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Note to the Editor 

Photo Caption: Sonjah Stanley Niaah, Director, Centre for Reparation Research, Interim Director, Indigenous and Maroon Studies Institute, and Professor of Cultural Studies at The UWI.   

 

 

About The University of the West Indies  

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.  

Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda, and its Global Campus, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. 

The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world. 

Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

This recognition has also springboarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISDJ), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development. 

The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu.  

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