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Bridget Brereton is Professor of History at UWI, St. Augustine. She is the author of several books, the best known being Race Relations in Colonial Trinidad 1870-1900, A History of Modern Trinidad 1783-1962, Social Life in the Caribbean 1838-1938 and An Introduction to the History of T&T. She has also edited or co-edited several books, notably Volume V of the UNESCO History of the Caribbean, The Twentieth Century. She is a past President of the Association of Caribbean Historians, a former Editor of the Journal of Caribbean History, and was the first woman to win the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence (in teaching, administration and research—1996). She was Head of the History Department at St. Augustine for 8 years, was Deputy Principal of the St. Augustine Campus from 1999-2002, and has just taken up office as Interim Campus Principal.
What was your initial response when you were offered appointment as interim Principal?
First, surprise: I was not aware that Dr. Tewarie was to be transferred to Pro Vice Chancellor (Planning and Development), with responsibility for the whole UWI system. Second, some mixed feelings. I felt honoured to be asked by the Vice Chancellor, but realized that it would mean postponing my long awaited Sabbatical leave which I had been awarded for 2007/08. But I am grateful that the Vice Chancellor, and by extension UWI, felt I was suited for the responsibility.
Although your tenure as acting principal commenced officially on August 1, has there been any preparation by you for the transition?
Certainly; I spent much of July meeting with the outgoing Principal and other key members of Campus Management, and reading important documents such as the new Strategic Plan.
Did UWI assist with the transition?
Of course. The Vice Chancellor met with me and discussed many issues, Dr. Tewarie and the Deputy Principal also made themselves available for consultation. My Department and Faculty facilitated the transition by arranging for a colleague to undertake my undergraduate teaching while I am Interim Principal (and during my postponed Sabbatical leave).
Will this stint as interim Pro Vice Chancellor and Principal for the next few months have any impact on your research, teaching and writing?
Realistically, I do not anticipate I will be able to do any serious research or writing for the next five months. I will, however, be conducting post-graduate seminars for History MPhil and MA students, and continuing to supervise my research students (MPhil and PhD).
You have had experience as deputy principal, and you know the university system well. What challenges do you anticipate?
Periods of transition are always challenging, but I hope to provide continuity and calm as we move from the dynamic, six-year Principalship of Dr. Tewarie, to a new Principal in January 2008, and as we begin the implementation of the new Strategic Plan (2007-2012).
What are some of the things that you consider important to get done over the next few months?
To begin implementation of the new Plan, with support from all sections of the Campus community.
After the Principalship, what are your next goals?
To make best use of my sabbatical year’s leave, by writing a long-planned and already extensively researched book about Caribbean society between the 1830s and the 1930s; and developing my current plan for a book on contesting national narratives of Trinidad & Tobago history.
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