Allison DaSantos is a Research Fellow with RISE Caribbean in the Caribbean Educational Research Centre (CERC) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill. She obtained her PhD in Public Health from the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the (UWI) Cave Hill Campus, with research interest in psychological issues concerning the diagnosis, treatment and management of chronic illnesses in persons in the Caribbean. Allison also holds an Associate’s Degree in Pharmacy from The Barbados Community College and is a registered pharmacist with over 15 years experience; she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2006 along with a Masters in Education (with a concentration in psychology) in 2009, from the UWI Cave Hill Campus. Allison is dedicated to expanding her expertise so that she may serve to inspire, encourage, and empower others.
Session Descriptions
The presentation will seek to describe the current state of the issue of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean, illustrate the effects that the burden of NCDs can have on adolescents in the Caribbean, and the probable impact that this may have on educational attainment. Further, an exploration of the potential methods of investigation that are aimed at gathering pertinent information on this important topic; as well as a discussion of the viable benefits research into this issue may yield.
The session will explore the concept of wellbeing and its western expression as characterized by individualism and self-expression, which can be contrary to the cultural values of community and interdependence within the Caribbean. A review of wellbeing framed within the Caribbean environment will further be explored and an ensuing discussion on the preliminary literature review findings regarding the importance of wellbeing and its significance in the classroom educational context.