Professor Barry Chevannes, a graduate of St George’s College, gained his B.A. (Philosophy) and M.A. from Boston College, his Master's in sociology at the University of the West Indies (UWI), and his doctorate in applied anthropology from Columbia University, where he defended his thesis on the Rastafari movement in Jamaica. His publications in this area have made him one of the leading international scholars on the Rastafari. They include Rastafari: Roots and Ideology and scores of articles in learned journals. His edited collection, Rastafari and Other African Caribbean Worldviews was nominated for the 1995 Katherine Briggs Award in the United Kingdom.

Professor Chevannes's academic interests also include Caribbean culture and male gender issues, on which he has also published. His book, Learning to Be A Man: Culture, Socialization and Gender Identity in Five Caribbean Communities, won the Principal’s Award for the best publication in 2001. His most recent, in 2006, is Betwixt and Between: Explorations in an African-Caribbean Mindscape.

Barry Chevannes has served the University of the West Indies in various capacities since 1973 as Lecturer, Senior Lecturer and Professor of Social Anthropology. In 1994 he was appointed Head of his Department and later served as Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Professor Chevannes is well known for his public service. He chairs the Council of the Institute of Jamaica, is the founder of Fathers Incorporated, and of Partners for Peace, and is recognized for his original contribution to Jamaican folk and religious song heritage. He chaired the National Commission on Ganja in 2000-2001, is currently a member of the Peace Management Initiative of the Minister of National Security, Chairman of the Jamaican Justice System Reform Task Force and Co-chair of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development.

He is the recipient of several awards: the Institute of Jamaica Centenary Medal for work in the field of culture (1979); the Norman Manley Award for Excellence in the field of social development (1997); the UWI Guild of Graduates Pelican Award for contribution in the field of anthropology (1998); the Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in research, teaching, University service, and service to the wider society, Commander of the Order of Distinction, and Honorary Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute. Professor Chevannes currently heads the Centre for Public Safety and Justice at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.

He is married to Pauletta and is the father of two daughters.