Commonwealth Climate Resilience Network Grantees 2023

The University of the West Indies

Tracy-Ann Hyman is a geoscientist who has developed a keen interest in researching climate change vulnerability and adaptation in SIDS. She is not only focused on climate change, the problem, but solutions that can combat it. As a PhD Candidate at the University of the West Indies, Jamaica, she works on flood models to assist in a reduction in the lives lost, and damage from hazards. With this grant she will engage youth through the development of climate gaming resources.

Kenyatta University, Kenya

Dr Jackline Nyerere is a Senior Lecturer of Educational Policy and Director of International Programmes and Collaborations at Kenyatta University, Kenya. Her work focuses on education for sustainable development, and internationalisation of education. She is currently a co-investigator for the Transforming Universities for a Changing Climate (Climate-U) project. Through this project, Kenyatta University will formulate an institutional policy which will provide a framework within which the University can identify, implement and monitor climate action.

Teesside University

Dr Kerry Pettigrew, a Lecturer in Biomedical Science at Teesside University, applied for a climate resilience grant to organize a hybrid seminar, bringing together experts to address the impacts of increased salination in Bangladesh. The funding will support travel expenses to maximize participation. Dr Pettigrew’s research interests include epidemiology, genomics, and analysing global health trends, especially surrounding non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries. This project aligns with her passions for global health and sustainability.

University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh

Dr Samiya Selim from Bangladesh is a Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh. She has studied in the fields of environment conservation, climate change, and sustainable development and has been working for more than 15 years. Her research interests include climate change adaptation and resilience, ecosystem services, science-policy interface, etc. This grant will develop short courses for early career practitioners and students benefiting both the university and the community.