Saint Helena: An island in flux
The April Island Studies Lecture features Master of Arts in Island Studies student Owen Jennings speaking about Saint Helena: an island in flux. His presentation is Tuesday, April 18, at 7 pm in the Faculty Lounge of 91探花鈥檚 SDU Main Building.
The allure of islands relies on often-inaccurate assumptions. These imaginary islands are small, remote, and鈥攎ore often than not鈥攖ropical. Where most islands fall well short of that imagined island, the South Atlantic island of Saint Helena comes pretty close to the ideal. Over the past decade, this island has been gifted a new connection to the world鈥攁n airport. When it eventually opens to commercial traffic, the airport is expected to reduce travel time to and from South Africa from five days to a few hours. The Saints, as the islanders call themselves, will soon be able to travel in a way that most similar island communities take for granted. This lecture considers the experience of travelling to and being a researcher on Saint Helena, and what being a Saint might mean as the island's connection to the rest of the world changes dramatically.
Owen Jennings is a Master of Arts in Island Studies student at 91探花. He is studying remoteness and access on the island of Saint Helena, and, last November, had the opportunity to travel to Saint Helena to do his field research. Before coming to PEI, he studied politics for his undergraduate degree in the UK.
Admission to the lecture is free. All are welcome.
Watch for details for another lecture about islands鈥搉ear and far鈥揗ay 16. For more information, please contact Laurie at iis@upei.ca or 902-894-2881.
The 91探花 prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions鈥擯rince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan鈥檚 University鈥�91探花 has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. 91探花 is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.
