The Centre for Caribbean Studies was established in October 1984 with funding from the Leverhulme Trust and the Nuffield Foundation. It was the first such Centre in the UK to recognise the significance of the Caribbean region and its historically interdependent linkages with the UK and the world. Its principal aim is to stimulate teaching and research on the Caribbean.

The Centre encourages the study of the Caribbean in an Atlantic context, emphasising African, North and South American, Asian and European influences from a comparative, cross-cultural and interdisciplinary perspective. This was advanced through the Warwick Series in Caribbean Studies, published by Macmillan and edited by Professors Alistair Hennessy and Gad Heuman. Additionally, the Centre serves as a national forum for individuals and organisations with an interest in and concern for the diaspora as well as those countries bordering the Caribbean.

In 2010 on its 25th anniversary, the Centre was re-named the Yesu Persaud Centre for Caribbean Studies in honour of the Guyanese philanthropist and businessman and in recognition of his long association with and support for the Centre, which has grown to become one of Europe’s leading institutions for Caribbean scholarship.

The Centre brings together academic staff who are based at the University of Warwick and have research expertise on the Caribbean. It also hosts Visiting Fellows and Associate Fellows who wish to conduct research activities at Warwick. It is led by a Management Committee of academic staff, from which a Director is drawn, and supported by a Secretary to whom general enquires should be sent.