KINGSTON, Jamaica — The University of the West Indies, Mona today announced the promotion of Dr Donna P Hope, to the rank of professor with effect from October 4, 2017.

Dr Hope, who served as senior lecturer in the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS), Faculty of Humanities & Education, is internationally recognised as one of the most insightful and original scholars of contemporary Jamaican music, especially Dancehall.

She has specialised in academic areas such as cultural studies, Caribbean studies, media and communication, popular culture, Jamaican popular culture, creative/cultural industries, gender and sexuality, politics and youth development.

Assessors have pointed to Hope’s solid theoretical grasp of relevant academic theory combined with an insider’s knowledge of Jamaican society.

The assessors said she is an impressive scholar who is making a fine contribution to the study of Jamaican music and culture and to related fields of gender studies and popular culture.

Hope holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Mass Communication and Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) in Government from UWI and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Cultural Studies from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, USA.