What began as a shared recognition of the need to better preserve and access Caribbean biodiversity data has now resulted in a significant research milestone for The University of the West Indies (UWI).
Dr Tannice Hall, an Entomologist and Lecturer in the Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), The UWI Mona, together with collaborators from The UWI St. Augustine and Cave Hill campuses, has been awarded €30,000 by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The funding supports the project “Strengthening the Capacity of The University of the West Indies in Biodiversity Data Management and Mobilisation” (BID-LAC2025-INS-295).
At the heart of the project is the arthropod collection housed within the Department of Life Sciences. Over time, these collections at the Mona and St. Augustine campuses have grown into important scientific resources, yet much of the information they contain has remained accessible only in physical form. Dr Hall’s project seeks to change that by leading the digitisation of these collections, ensuring that the data they hold is preserved and more easily shared.
As the specimens are digitised, the resulting datasets will be published through GBIF, placing UWI’s arthropod records within a global biodiversity data network. This step will allow researchers, educators, and other users to access and use the information more efficiently, increasing the visibility and value of UWI’s biodiversity holdings.
The award also reflects the strength of cross-campus collaboration at The UWI, bringing together expertise from Mona, St. Augustine, and Cave Hill in a shared effort to improve biodiversity data management. Through this project, Dr Hall and her collaborators are helping to strengthen institutional capacity while contributing to broader regional and international efforts to mobilise biodiversity data.
Photo caption: Dr. Tannice Hall
