News Releases

One-UWI Transdisciplinary Disaster Risk Management and Resilience Research Cluster

For Release Upon Receipt - June 27, 2025

UWI


The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Friday, June 27, 2025 — The University of the West Indies (UWI) proudly announces the launch of the One-UWI Transdisciplinary Disaster Risk Management and Resilience Research Cluster—a groundbreaking initiative that underscores the critical need for multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to solving complex research problems tied to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in the area of disaster management. The launch coincided with the 19th anniversary of the University’s Disaster Risk Reduction Centre (DRRC).

 Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Aldrie Henry-Lee commended the establishment of the Cluster, emphasizing that resilience must be viewed not only as a response to disasters but as a proactive, data-informed strategy—rooted in equity and guided by long-term planning, monitoring, and evaluation. The Research Cluster will be co-led by Dr. Evangeline Inniss-Springer, Director of the DRRC, and Mr. Jeremy Collymore, Chair of the DRRC Advisory Board. Its membership includes DRRC staff, UWI faculty, lecturers, graduate students, and selected participants from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) system, as well as other higher education institutions within and beyond the Caribbean.

 In his address, Dr. David Smith, Director of The UWI’s Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD), stressed the need to reframe research to reflect the severe and interconnected nature of regional challenges. He encouraged a shift beyond typical disaster indicators such as cyclones and rainfall to include issues like coastal infrastructure, ecosystem vulnerability, tourism and economic interdependencies, water security, food systems, health, and climate-induced disease spread. He also highlighted the impact of extreme temperatures on vulnerable populations.

 Dr. Inniss-Springer who serves as Chair of the Research Cluster, noted that this initiative has long been a goal of the DRRC. She emphasized that addressing the region’s systemic risks requires a collaborative, cross-disciplinary team. The cluster will foster a culture of knowledge transfer, especially to younger researchers. Over the next two years, the team will pursue research projects, host forums, enhance curricula, co-create with communities, and influence both policy and public behaviour. She also stressed the importance of identifying gaps in data collection and implementation to improve disaster management outcomes.

 Mr. Jeremy Collymore underscored that disasters present critical learning opportunities and can be drivers of regional development. He affirmed that the creation of the Cluster reflects The UWI’s ongoing commitment to supporting long-term, impactful research that strengthens Caribbean resilience and development.

 For more information or to join the One-UWI Research Cluster, please visit https://www.uwi.edu/gsr/oor/programmes/clusters or email drrcuwi@uwimona.edu.jm. This initiative aims not only to respond to existing disaster risks but to push research into new, transformative areas—ensuring that efforts remain community-centred, forward-looking, and free from unintended harm.

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About The University of the West Indies

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years.

 From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Global Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action. In 2024, The UWI launched a first-of-its-kind global online graduate business school focused on leadership within the context of supporting the SDGs.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu  

 

 

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