Anthea Henderson
Communication Specialist
Anthea began her training as a communicator in earnest at the Caribbean School of Media and Communication, UWI Mona, where she studied mass communication and proceeded to complete a PhD with high commendation in 2008. She has been a sought-after lecturer in communication and media courses spanning a fifteen-year period, developing a didactic style using vivid illustrations, dialogue and in-class engagement – at both undergrad and graduate levels. She has delivered presentations in North America, the Caribbean and Europe on topics related to global culture, digital childhoods and parental mediation. She also gives in-person and remote talks in empowerment and life-skills settings.
DMIL Framework Stakeholder, Jamaica
As Jamaica has embarked on developing a digital media and information literacy (DMIL) policy adequate for a technological society, Anthea has played a key role as a representative of the education sector. She has contributed to discussions on risks and opportunities faced by children in the digital ecosystem, providing insights on safeguards for minors that are contextually relevant. Inputs from her specialisation as a child and media researcher have been incorporated into the DMIL Policy report, a publication of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica. She has been interviewed on national media in discussions on parental responsibilities in a digital age.
“Things can get better!”
No stranger to setback, Anthea has integrated her passion for Biblical truth with strategies for life success. Snatching Victory is a podcast birthed during a time of extreme upheaval and difficulty, an attempt to make meaning of a series of disappointments that came fast and furious. But things can get better. The podcast is a space where she explores the enduring principles of resilience and purpose from the lives of Biblical characters, interwoven with theology. She offers a three-pronged premise through this platform, firstly that victory is possible, secondly that victory is difficult, and thirdly that victory is just the beginning. The podcast is rich with vignettes from her own life of suffering, perseverance and triumph.
Creative Collaborations
Working alongside multi-location teams of songwriters, Anthea has honed skills of creative collaboration and project management. Collectively, she and her teams have brainstormed themes, co-written, edited and prepared CCM originals at industry-pitch quality. As she navigates the musical arena as an emerging artiste, seeking to leverage and manage synergies within creative hubs will continue to be a priority.
Partnerships in Media Research
Research and the application of its findings to real life problems is integral to national development. To augment the depth and reach of research activities Anthea has participated in programmes of study with other researchers within the UWI Mona community. The output has resulted in multi-authored journal articles in such topics as mixed methods research and ICT provision for children with disabilities. These partnerships and the resources produced have contributed to the fund of knowledge within academia while also building a climate of joint research in the tertiary system.
Living with Mission
Using her training, skills and talents at full throttle for the benefit of others is a guiding principle of Anthea’s life. The motif undergirding this decision is her faith in Jesus Christ and a deep sense of appreciation for the privileges she has enjoyed, which has included living among and getting know people of varied backgrounds and cultures since childhood. This exposure has expanded her compassion for people from all walks of life, equipping her for friendship and service. Nevertheless, she is painfully aware that there is much heartache and loss in the world, and suffering should not be sugarcoated. As such, encouraging others is her modus operandi. Believing every word that Jesus has said, she accepts each experience as a canvas of possibility, painting with brushstrokes that are courageous and expectant.
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