Michael E. O’Neal is Senior Research Fellow at Island Resources Foundation, an organization with offices in Washington, D.C. and the Caribbean, whose central mission is to assist small islands to meet the challenges of social, economic and institutional growth while protecting and enhancing their environments.

Former President of the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Dr. O’Neal had previously served as the first Resident Tutor/Head of the University of the West Indies, BVI Centre. In addition, from 1997-2004, he held appointment as Core Professor at the Graduate College of the Union Institute in Ohio, where he supervised Ph.D. students in interdisciplinary studies.

Prior to his academic career, Dr. O’Neal was a managing director of the business enterprises of J.R. O’Neal Ltd (BVI). He has served on numerous boards and commissions, including the Public Service Commission, the Development Bank of the Virgin Islands, and as Chairman of the BVI National Parks Trust, 2003-2009. He is currently a director of JOMA Ltd, a closely-held, family-owned real estate management and development company.

Dr. O’Neal is a member of several professional associations and learned societies, and is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute (U.K.) and of the American Anthropological Association.