The Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), UWI Mona, proudly congratulates two of its academics, Dr. Jhordanne Jones (Department of Physics) and Dr. Rose-Ann Smith (Department of Geography and Geology), on their appointment as authors in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Seventh Assessment Report (AR7).
Both scientists are serving in the IPCC process for the first time. Dr. Jones will contribute to Working Group I: The Physical Science Basis, which addresses the scientific evidence of climate change, while Dr. Smith will join Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability, focusing on climate impacts and resilience strategies for communities like those in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
Their appointments demonstrates the Faculty’s excellence in advancing climate research of global relevance and ensuring that Caribbean voices inform international climate science and policy.
They join five other distinguished UWI scholars selected for the AR7 cycle:
Dr. Preeya Mohan (St. Augustine Campus) – Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.
Dr. Georgiana Gordon-Strachan (Mona Campus) – Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.
Dr. Natalie Dietrich-Jones (Mona Campus) – Working Group II: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability.
Dr. Randy Ramadhar Singh (St. Augustine Campus) – Working Group III: Mitigation of Climate Change.
In all, six of the seven UWI scientists are contributing for the first time, a historic achievement for the University.
Vice-Chancellor of The UWI, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, praised the development, noting: “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.”
The Faculty of Science and Technology extends special commendation to Dr. Jones and Dr. Smith, whose appointments reinforce the Faculty’s mission of producing world-class scholarship with real-world impact. Their contributions will ensure that Jamaica and the wider Caribbean remain central to global discussions on climate change.
Published on 26 Sep, 2025
Our 7 faculties and 12 professional schools offer more than 200 programmes to some 18,000 graduate, undergraduate and continuing studies students.
The UWI, Mona ranks first in Jamaica among accredited tertiary-level programmes. In 2012, the University was again one of Jamaica’s Top 100 Employers.
