Personally Speaking

Between getting my hands on must have gadgets and creating my own, my trekkian spirit led me to become quite involved with web development since about age 15. Coupled with a curiosity for and decision to pursue a career in psychology a few years earlier, web science represented a perfect marriage of my passions.

I entered the field via study in cyberpsychology, as I had a deep sense of responsibility and hunger to understand how Web technologies affect people and vice versa. This thirst for knowledge and awareness of duty led me to take a leap into the domain of Web risk management.

Being situated in this sphere allows me to effectively work towards managing the negative impact and increasing the benefits of this amazing resource. Fingers crossed, I am going to be embarking on a PhD voyage in the area from October 2012 with a great university.

Academic Career

In 2004 I began my undergraduate studies at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, where I graduated with a 2:1 Psychology degree. My first of its kind research at the institution explored cyberpsychological subject matter by investigating personality impressions based on online social networking site, hi5, user profiles.

Continuing on this path, I pursued graduate studies at Nottingham Trent University in the UK, enrolled in their MSc in Cyberpsychology programme. Here I gained a deeper understanding of the virtual world and human behaviour online, and graduated in 2009 with a commendation (merit).

Master’s training assisted me in developing the skills and qualities necessary to excel in research, policymaking, teaching, and business roles in the field. Very important to me, it also taught me how I could predict and analyse the impact of Web technologies on society. My research focused on online platforms (e.g., Facebook) that combine multiple conflicting audiences (e.g., parents, bosses and friends), and investigated how such platforms impact self-presentation and interpersonal communication online.

Following my masters study, I took up the post of part-time tutor for an undergraduate psychology course at the UWI. Also, I guest lectured for an occupational psychology course on the topic of ‘Organisational Communication’ for 2 years, at the same institution.

Currently, as a part-time lecturer, I deliver an undergraduate course at the UWI for final year students on the BSc Education programme and at affiliated tertiary level institutions across the Caribbean. The course introduces a range of modern instructional media and technologies, and explores their potential to create effective environments for learning. A special effort was also made to incorporate contemporary issues in the field, such as health and safety online, copyright, privacy and the digital divide into the course.

Industry Career

As principal partner at Bernard Browne, a web consultancy, my responsibilities include the firm’s digital strategy business, with particular focus on web analytics, planning, eResearch, Web policymaking and offering strategic insight.

After over 6 years in the web design and development business, I have gained a great deal of experience advising C-level executives in a wide range of areas, including online corporate communications, online product strategy and digital marketing. I often work alongside marketing and communications professionals helping their organisations connect better with its online audience and build lasting and valuable relationships with them.