Deron Maitland, a finalising PhD student in the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona, recently participated in a high-level, interdisciplinary course on Coastal Resilience to Sea Level Rise, held from November 24 to December 19, 2025. The course was organised and delivered by the Future Earth Research School of the Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate Change (CMCC) Foundation, in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO).

 

 

Designed for early- to mid-career researchers and professionals, the programme comprised over 90 hours of intensive training delivered in a hybrid format, combining online and in-person engagement. The course began with three weeks of online lectures and tutorials starting on November 24, followed by an immersive on-site component held at the Centro Universitario di Bertinoro, part of the University of Bologna, Italy, from December 15 to 19, 2025.

 

The curriculum emphasized developing a strong understanding of the physical processes driving sea level rise and coastal risk, complemented by practical training in sea level rise data analysis and coastal vulnerability assessment. Participants also examined real-world case studies from Italy, which provided valuable insights into the design and implementation of comprehensive, context-specific sea level rise adaptation strategies.

 

Deron Maitland’s participation is particularly significant within the Caribbean context, where more than 70% of the population resides in coastal areas, and many major towns are located at or near sea level. The knowledge and skills gained through this programme are therefore directly relevant to strengthening regional capacity to address increasing coastal risks associated with climate change.