The Faculty of Science and Technology, The UWI Mona in collaboration with Island City Lab (and partners), invites submissions for the ‘Seeing Heat’ Photography Competition and Exhibition. This initiative aims to visually represent the often-invisible effects of rising temperatures on urban environments and communities across Jamaica. The competition is open to all UWI students and  staff.

The competition is open to both amateur and professional photographers and encourages participants to document the impact of extreme heat on people, infrastructure, and the natural environment. Submissions should reflect individual perspectives and offer meaningful insight into the realities of living in a warming climate.

 Prizes:

• First Place – USD 2,000

• Second Place – USD 1,000

• Third Place – USD 500

• Thematic Prizes – USD 300

Application Deadline: September 30, 2025

Visit the competition website at: https://islandcitylab.ac-page.com/seeing-heat

Photo Walks:

To support participants in developing their submissions, two photo walks will be hosted:

• September 11 – The UWI Campus (Start point: Juici Beef) at 2:00 pm

• September 20 – Downtown Kingston (Start point: National Gallery) at 2:00 pm

 In 2023, Kingston became the second city globally to reach climate departure—a threshold where average temperatures consistently exceed historical extremes. Unlike storms or natural disasters that cause visible damage, heat waves exert a slower, more pervasive toll—straining healthcare systems, increasing energy demand, and contributing to heat-related illnesses and deaths.

This competition seeks to bring these impacts to light through photography, creating awareness and dialogue around the challenges of urban heat in Jamaica.