Dr. Edward Bethel
Co-Chair · Education and Academic Leadership
Dr. Edward Bethel is an educator and academic leader whose professional experience encompasses higher education, educational technology and institutional development.
The Wilson Prize
Honouring Knowledge. Celebrating Excellence.
The Wilson Prize recognizes outstanding completed scholarly work that makes a significant contribution to understanding The Bahamas.
Presented every five years, it honours research distinguished by originality, intellectual rigour and relevance to Bahamian national development.
The Wilson Prize medal
Purpose
A Distinction of National Importance
The Prize recognizes scholarship that advances knowledge, offers new perspectives and contributes to the nation’s intellectual heritage.
Eligible work may explore Bahamian history, society, culture, contemporary challenges or other matters of national significance.
By celebrating exceptional scholarly achievement, the Prize also encourages future generations to pursue research that contributes meaningfully to the country’s development.
The Award
$50,000
Presented every five years
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The Wilson Prize carries a monetary award of $50,000 in recognition of outstanding completed scholarly work.
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The recipient also receives an artist-created commemorative object symbolizing the significance of the achievement.
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In addition, the University of The Bahamas supports dissemination of the winning work in an appropriate form, helping make important research accessible to a wider audience.
Selection
Selection and Scholarly Excellence
The Wilson Prize is awarded following a rigorous evaluation process.
The Wilson Awards Review Board draws upon independent scholarly and expert assessments to inform its deliberations and uphold the academic standards associated with the Prize.
Eligible submissions are assessed for
Originality
Scholarly quality
Contribution to existing knowledge
Relevance to Bahamian national development
The Inaugural Wilson Prize · 2026
The beginning of an enduring tradition
The inaugural Wilson Prize will be presented on November 21, 2026, at Government House in Nassau, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the University of The Bahamas as a university. The first award recognizes eligible scholarly work completed and published between 2021 and 2025. The occasion marks the beginning of what is intended to become an enduring tradition of recognizing exceptional scholarship concerning The Bahamas.
- Date
- November 21, 2026
- Venue
- Government House, Nassau
- Occasion
- Tenth anniversary of the University of The Bahamas as a university
- Eligible work
- Scholarly work completed and published between 2021 and 2025
Eligibility
Eligibility and Future Awards
Closed
Submissions for the inaugural Prize closed on January 31, 2026.
Eligibility requirements and deadlines for future awards will be announced through the University of The Bahamas.
The inaugural Wilson Prize considered
Original, substantially researched scholarly work completed and first published in English between 2021 and 2025.
Submissions authored by one or two individuals.
Work assessed for scholarly merit and relevance to Bahamian national development.
Governance
Wilson Awards Review Board
The Wilson Awards Programme is supported by a distinguished Review Board whose members bring expertise spanning law, education, academic research, public policy and national development. The Board’s collective experience supports the evaluation of scholarly work and the standards of excellence associated with the Wilson Grants and Wilson Prize.
Co-Chairs
Mr. Sean McWeeney, KC
Co-Chair · Law and Public Service
Sean McWeeney, KC, is a distinguished Bahamian attorney and former Attorney General of The Bahamas whose career has encompassed senior public office, constitutional and commercial law, and legal advisory work.
Members
Mr. Michael Stevenson
Member · Law and Higher Education
A legal academic and educator whose career has included contributions to legal education and the development of academic programmes in The Bahamas.
Read biographyMr. William Fielding
Member · Academic Research and Institutional Development
An academic and researcher whose work has contributed to the development of higher education and scholarly inquiry in The Bahamas.
Read biographyDr. Marie Sairsingh
Member · Literature and Cultural Scholarship
An academic and literary scholar with expertise in Caribbean and African diaspora literature, literary criticism and cultural studies.
Read biographyMr. Deon Stewart
Member · Environmental Sustainability and Development
An environmental and sustainable development professional with experience in community-based environmental initiatives, conservation and development programmes.
Read biographyFormer Chair / Ex Officio
Dr. Marjorie Brookes-Jones
Former Chair · Academic Leadership and Scholarship
Dr. Marjorie Brookes-Jones is an educator and former academic at the College of The Bahamas, now the University of The Bahamas.
Archive
Prize Recipients and Research
2026
Inaugural Prize
To be announced November 21, 2026
[Recipient Name]
[Research title]
[Following the inaugural presentation, feature the recipient’s photograph, research title, summary, official award citation and links to published work where available.]
For scholars and researchers
Wilson Awards Programme Inquiries
The Wilson Awards Programme is administered by the University of The Bahamas. For information about Wilson Grant and Wilson Prize eligibility, application requirements and future opportunities, please contact the University.