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.
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.
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.
Dr. Natalie Dietrich-Jones
Dr. Georgiana Gordon-Strachan
Dr. Jhordanne Jones
Dr. Preeya Mohan
Dr. Randy Ramadhar Singh
Dr. Rose-Ann Smith
Professor Michelle Mycoo
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 Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and the wider world.
The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). Since The UWI’s 2018 debut in THE’s rankings, it has performed well in multiple schemes—among them including World University Rankings, Golden Age University Rankings (between 50 and 80 years old), Latin America Rankings, and the 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 Well-being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.
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