News Releases

UWI Scientists Bring Caribbean Voices to IPCC’s Seventh Assessment Report

For Release Upon Receipt - September 17, 2025

UWI


The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica, W.I. Wednesday, 17 September 2025— Six of the seven scientists from The University of the West Indies (The UWI) named among the authors for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC’s) Seventh Assessment Report (AR7) cycle are contributing for the first time. The six join returning climate expert Professor Michelle Mycoo of the St. Augustine Campus, who served as a Coordinating Lead Author in the sixth assessment report. Together, they will contribute across all four major AR7 reports: a Special Report on Climate Change and Cities and three Working Group reports focused on science, adaptation, and mitigation. Professor Mycoo takes on an extended role this cycle with appointments to Working Group II Review Editor on adaptation as well as Lead Author of the Special Report on Climate Change and Cities.

 

 Professor Michelle Mycoo

 The combination of new and experienced regional voices ensures representation from the Caribbean’s Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It reflects the broader trend regarding the composition of IPCC’s AR7 team of authors.

Notably, the IPCC continues its commitment to inclusivity, with a significant proportion of authors from developing countries. According to the Panel’s official announcement, “Of the 664 appointed experts, more than half (51 per cent) come from developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Nearly half of the authors are female scientists, constituting 46 per cent of the group. For comparison, in the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), the IPCC appointed 721 authors from over 90 countries. Of these, 44 per cent were from developing countries and countries with economies in transition, 53 per cent were new to the IPCC process, and 33 per cent were female.” This emphasis on diverse representation highlights the importance of integrating the experiences and knowledge of SIDS into global climate assessments and policy.

 The six new scientists joining the global efforts are Dr. Jhordanne Jones (Mona) contributing to the Working Group 1 report on The Physical Science Basis; Dr. Preeya Mohan (St. Augustine), Dr. Georgiana Gordon-Strachan (Mona), Dr. Rose-Ann Smith (Mona), and Dr. Natalie Dietrich-Jones (Mona) all appointed to Working Group II to report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability; and Dr. Randy Ramadhar Singh (St Augustine) who will contribute to the Working Group III report on Mitigation of Climate Change.

 

 Dr. Jhordanne Jones

 

 

 Dr. Preeya Mohan

 

 

 Dr. Georgiana Gordon-Strachan

 

 

 Dr. Rose-Ann Smith

 

 

 Dr. Natalie Dietrich-Jones

 

 

 Dr. Randy Ramadhar Singh

 

  According to UWI Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, “The UWI’s participation in the AR7 cycle highlights the rise of new Caribbean climate experts and the essential inclusion of regional perspectives in global climate science. Our representation ensures that the realities of small island nations are integral to shaping adaptation strategies and policies to combat climate change.

 We commend the IPCC for recognising these emerging voices and extend our gratitude to Professor Mycco on her appointment to two reports this cycle as well as her outstanding contributions, which continue to elevate our region’s critical work in this vital area.”

 As the United Nations’ recognised body for assessing the science related to climate change, the IPCC produces comprehensive assessment reports every 5 to 7 years. For the seventh assessment cycle, the IPCC received 3,771 nominations worldwide from governments and observer organisations before selecting experts for authorship. The inclusion of UWI scientists in this distinguished group signals the University’s ongoing commitment to advancing climate research of global relevance. In addition to its staff, several UWI graduates were also appointed as authors.  

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About The University of the West Indies

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has played a crucial role in Caribbean development for over 75 years, consistently contributing to the improvement of the well-being of people across the region.

Established in 1948 as a university college of London in Jamaica, with just 33 medical students, UWI has grown into an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students. Today, it boasts 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, along with international centres in partnership with universities across North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The UWI offers over 1000 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 leading university in the Caribbean, it is home to the largest pool of intellect and expertise in the region, dedicated to addressing the critical issues facing both the Caribbean and the wider world.

Validated by its inclusion in the Times Higher Education (THE) annual rankings since 2018, The UWI has affirmed its position as one of the top universities globally. It stands out as the only English-speaking institution in the Caribbean featured in four of THE's prestigious ranking lists. The World University Rankings evaluate over 2,000 research-focused universities worldwide, while the Golden Age University Rankings highlight institutions established between 50 and 80 years ago. The Latin America Rankings focus specifically on universities within Latin America and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Impact Rankings assess universities based on their contributions to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This recognition has also springboarded the establishment of The UWI’s International School for Development Justice (ISD), a global online graduate business school aimed at preparing future leaders for sustainable development.

The UWI is an SDG-engaged university consistently recognised among the best in the world. Discover more at www.uwi.edu.

 

 

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