<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>This paper is largely autobiographical: I chart my own intellectual journey across the history, culture and identity of so-called `small` islands, with a special reference to the Caribbean. To do so, I reflect on my own forays into literature that discussed Caribbean history and culture; my own research experience in Barbados in connection with my doctoral research; and coming up to the present with insights that have emerged in the pursuit of an island studies imagination in my professional work. The paper concludes with a calling, and a justification, for the pursuit of island studies.</p></abstract>

This paper is largely autobiographical: I chart my own intellectual journey across the history, culture and identity of so-called `small` islands, with a special reference to the Caribbean. To do so, I reflect on my own forays into literature that discussed Caribbean history and culture; my own research experience in Barbados in connection with my doctoral research; and coming up to the present with insights that have emerged in the pursuit of an island studies imagination in my professional work. The paper concludes with a calling, and a justification, for the pursuit of island studies.

History and identity across small islands: a Caribbean and a personal journey

Department of Sociology,
University of Malta, Malta
Vice-President, International Small Islands Studies Association (ISISA)

Miscellanea Geographica

{"article-title":"History and identity across small islands: a Caribbean and a personal journey"}

This paper is largely autobiographical: I chart my own intellectual journey across the history, culture and identity of so-called `small` islands, with a...

History and identity across small islands: a Caribbean and a personal journey

Published Online: Jun 27, 2013

Page range: 5 - 11

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10288-012-0038-x

Keywords
Caribbean, decolonisation, island studies, Malta, Norwell Harrigan, Virgin Islands

This content is open access.

History and identity across small islands: a Caribbean and a personal journey

Published Online: Jun 27, 2013

Page range: 5 - 11

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10288-012-0038-x

KeywordsCaribbean, decolonisation, island studies, Malta, Norwell Harrigan, Virgin Islands

This content is open access.

Keywords
Caribbean, decolonisation, island studies, Malta, Norwell Harrigan, Virgin Islands