The Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) includes the Centre for Policy Studies in Sustainable Development led by the Alcan Chair in Sustainable Development, the Centre for Environmental Management and the Disaster Risk Reduction Centre. ISD supports several international networks, chairs the Caribbean UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and hosts the Violence Prevention Alliance. ISD supports research and postgraduate study with students reading for MSc, MPhil, and PhD degrees. ISD has collaborative links with other universities and research institutes and The UWI-SUNY Institute for Leadership and Sustainable Development, and offers a joint postgraduate certificate with Empire State College at SUNY.
During the period, ISD focused on strategic objectives AC3, AC4, AL1 and AG1. The global COVID-19 pandemic seriously hampered progress in all areas of teaching and research. The ISD was able to operate on changed staff routines while allowing staff to operate from home. IT resources were up to the task from The UWI standpoint; staff were able to access the IT resources required to function. However, many students in taught and research programmes have insufficient access to IT resources such as broadband to operate effectively in this context.
Nineteen students are in the taught master's programme offered by the Centre for Environmental Management (CEM). The CEM operates an MSc programme; enrolment in the two-year course for the period was 19 students, due to graduate in 2021. ISD staff teach or examine in several postgraduate degree programmes and courses in other departments and universities. In addition to the MSc in Environmental Management, staff lecture or examine courses in the: Advanced Certificate in Leadership for Sustainable Development; BSc Gender and Development; MSc in Tourism and Hospitality Management; MSc in National Security and Strategic Planning; an MSc programme in Occupational and Environmental Safety and Health at The UWI; the MSc in Sustainable Energy and Climate Change at the University of Technology, Jamaica; and the Masters in Development Practice offered by Trinity College, Dublin.
Twenty-four research students are supervised by ISD staff; staff supervise, advise, or teach students at other universities within the Caribbean and the United Kingdom. Most MPhil students intend to upgrade to PhD. The fortnightly postgraduate seminar series migrated to BlackBoard Collaborate and average attendance increased by about 300%.
The completed Zero Energy Building (ZEB) has been handed over to the Mona Campus which will cover the operational and maintenance budget. The building will be used for research and teaching in renewable energy and energy innovation. The process of officially certifying it as a net zero energy building was started.
The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) awarded ISD a grant of CAN$1 million to address resilience to multiple hazards in Dominica. The three-year project will be implemented with the Office of Disaster Management in Dominica and the newly established GICSR. The project team comprised Dr. Barbara Carby, Mr. Jeremy Collymore, Dr. Innis-Springer and Dr. David Smith (Principal Investigator). During the period, Dr. Carby led efforts to increase resilience of communities to hazards and develop the MSc in Disaster Management to be offered in 2022. Mr. Collymore led the efforts to design and establish the Global Institute of Climate Smart and Resilient Development.
Professor Anthony Clayton continued briefing and training sessions for the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Jamaican Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency; and other Jamaican government agencies, as well as regional police and security forces. He currently serves as Deputy Chairman of the JCF Oversight Committee and is a member of the National Crime Plan Committee.
The ISD continues to work at the science-policy interface staff to promote sustainable development and support the achievement of the SDGs at the national, regional and international levels. Staff participate in intergovernmental, academic, scientific, and civil society organizations at the highest levels. This may have increased during the pandemic as participation in international events did not require the time and expense of international travel.
ISD adjunct faculty and staff are members of the Steering Committee for the Association of Commonwealth Universities Commonwealth Climate Resilience Network. ISD works with Dr. Stacy Kennedy, Director of the Office of Global Partnerships and Sustainable Futures to support The UWI in the International Association of Universities cluster on SDG 13. ISD coordinates the Caribbean chapter of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).
International Science Council
CDEMA
GOVERNMENT OF JAMAICA
JAMAICA RED CROSS
The ISD led the development and signing a Memorandum of Understanding between The UWI and Missouri State University. The MOU will last for five years and focuses on sustainable development in communities and will provide opportunities for joint research and teaching. The ISD collaborates in research and teaching with the US Naval War College, the University of Surrey, Florida International University, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, Avon and Somerset Constabulary, the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and the Jamaica Defence Force.
Professor Clayton is a founding editor and member of the editorial board of The Caribbean Journal of Strategic and Security Studies.
Dr. Smith is an Associate Editor for Environmental Policy and Law and a member of the editorial board of Caribbean Quarterly.
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