The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Tuesday, June 24, 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.
