Dr. Jayaka Campbell (Lecturer, Department of Physics), Adam Taylor (undergraduate student in Computer Science (General Physics Minor), and Rodane Samuels (undergraduate in Geography (Environmental Physics Minor), visited the University of Oxford from October 12 - 28, 2024. The visit focused on knowledge transfer, collaborative development, and specialized training to advance the Jamaica Systemic Risk Assessment Tool (JSRAT), designed to support national planning and adaptation strategies to address Jamaica’s systemic risk challenges, particularly in climate resilience and environmental risk.

The activities were organized around three main pillars: 

1. Knowledge transfer and collaboration which was aimed at enhancing understanding and technical capacity related to systemic risk assessment, specifically applied to tropical climates.

2. Intensive training sessions were held with Dr. Jayaka Campbell, Adam Taylor and Rodane Samuels. The sessions were geared towards making The UWI owners, maintainers and future developers on the Oxford driven aspects of the JSRAT.

3. Delivery of presentations on tropical storm impacts and coastal protection strategies that are essential components of the Jamaica Systemic Risk Assessment Tool.

This visit fostered a strong collaborative environment between the Jamaican and Oxford research teams and opened discussions for potential future collaborations to further support the Jamaica Systemic Risk Assessment Tool. Representatives from the Government of Jamaica, including personnel from the Planning Institute of Jamaica and the National Spatial Adaptation Planning Unit, attended select sessions virtually.

Photo caption: Adam Taylor (1st Left) and Rodane Samuels (2nd Left) with colleagues from Oxford University.

Follow the Faculty of Science and Technology on Instagram @uwimona_fst and on Facebook at The Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI Mona. For inquiries, WhatsApp us at 1-876-552-4691, call us at 1-876-927-1660-9, or email us at fst@uwimona.edu.jm.