Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES)

The Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES) mourns the passing of Professor Selwyn Ryan on Saturday 12th March, 2022.  

At the time of his passing, Professor Ryan was Professor Emeritus attached to SALISES, The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine. 

Professor Selwyn Ryan received a BA (Hons.) degree in History from the University of Toronto in 1960 and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Cornell University in 1966.  Since obtaining his PhD, he taught at York University in Toronto, the University of Ghana, Makerere University in Uganda, and in the Department of Government in The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad.  Between 1976 and 1979, he was Head of the Department of Government, UWI, St. Augustine Campus.  Professor Ryan’s service extended beyond academia into public sector domains.  He was a member of two Constitutional Commissions established by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago.  He served as Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, and Deputy Chairman of the Caribbean Press Council.

Professor Selwyn Ryan was one of the early stalwarts responsible for promoting the virtues of participation in the Annual Conferences of the Caribbean Studies Association (CSA).  He has mentored countless younger CSA members who have excelled and broken barriers either as scholars or professionals in domestic, regional and international settings.  Professor Ryan was the President of the Caribbean Studies Association in 1989/1990. 

During 1986-2002, he was the Director of the SALISES, formerly the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER), UWI, St. Augustine Campus.  He also served in the capacity of University Director of the Institute and assumed responsibility for administrative and academic activities on the Institute across the Cave Hill, Mona, and St. Augustine Campuses.  He was one of the Directors that pioneered the transition from ISER to SALISES in 1999.

With heartfelt condolences, we wish that God's grace comforts his family in this time of grief. 

May his soul Rest in Peace.