SIDS FUTURE

Carl-Ann Blackman is an accomplished International Trade Policy Consultant with a background in Political Science and Law. She currently specializes in international trade policy and has over 10 years ‘experience in trade facilitation. Her journey in this domain commenced with a pivotal role as a Legal Review and Policy Development Officer in the Ministry of Finance in Grenada, where she honed her expertise in legal and policy frameworks

Carl-Ann holds a bachelor’s degree in law and political science and a master’s degree in International Trade Policy from the University of the West Indies – Cave Hill. Her academic pursuits have significantly contributed to her deep understanding of the intricacies of international trade, particularly as they apply to Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Driven by a passion for development in SIDS and a commitment to addressing climate change, Carl-Ann’s work is deeply influenced by her Caribbean roots. Growing up in a region where nature is not just a backdrop but a vital part of daily life, she developed a profound connection with the ocean and the environment. This connection has shaped her professional approach, infusing her work with a unique perspective that values nature and seeks sustainable solutions for the challenges faced by SIDS in the global trade arena.

Dr Daniel Hammett is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geography, University of Sheffield, UK and a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Geography, Environmental Management and Energy Studies, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He has over 20 years of international research experience working on issues relating to citizenship, civil society, political participation, development and geopolitics. He has particular expertise in the everyday politics and practices of citizenship and nation-building in transitional societies, as well as in capacity building and governance strengthening for civil society in the global south. His research has been published in leading academic journals, books published by Routledge, Palgrave, and Bristol University Press, and has been covered in national and international print and broadcast media.

Denyse is based at the Grantham Research Institute/LSE with research interests broadly centred on better understanding and using climate information for adaptation, disaster risk reduction and resilience. Her active research projects focus on (1) perspectives of climate information use within the Caribbean, (2) preparedness, adaptation and risk perceptions by organisations within the UK, and (3) building a community of practice and researching behavioural insights of climate risk management in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to a multi-disciplinary academic background in economics, climate science, development studies and international relations, Denyse has gained practical programmatic and policy insights through work opportunities with the Inter-American Development Bank, UNDP, UNDESA, the Permanent Mission of Trinidad and Tobago to the UN in New York, and as a researcher for several Caribbean development practitioners. She has a deep and vested interest in evidence-led research and practical action relating to Caribbean sustainable development efforts, owing to her roots in Trinidad and Tobago, and has also assisted WB/ADB research through the compilation of climate change risk profiles for Pacific small islands.

Gareth Byatt is an independent consultant working in urban resilience, disaster risk, resilience for industry and the private sector. He is an Ambassador for the Institute of Risk Management(IRM), and he regularly understand research work independently and also with academic institutes around the world.

José Lopes is a full time lecturer at the Higher Institute of Business and Economic Sciences (ISCEE) in Praia, Cabo Verde, where he teaches ESP and research methodology courses. He is also an invited lecturer at University of Santiago, in Praia, where he lectures Public Policy Design and Evaluation for students pursuing their Master degree program in Public Policy and Local Development. His research interests include governance, civil society, environmental justice, equitable societies, and public policy process. José holds a PhD in Public Policy, completed at the University Institute of Lisbon, ISCTE-IUL.

Born and raised in Mauritius, Karuna Rana is an award-winning social entrepreneur and environmental activist focused on tackling plastic pollution and advancing an inclusive, sustainable blue economy in Big Ocean States (BOS). She has 13+ years of career experience working at the intersection of science, policy, business, and community engagement across multiple organizations and geographies. She co-founded SYAH in 2013, the only regional youth-led organization focused on advancing sustainable development across 7 African and Asian SIDS. Most recently, she set up the Big Ocean States Initiative (BOSI) aimed at closing the “blue” funding gap for Big Ocean States by developing programs that put local communities at the center of blue innovation. By way of background, Karuna is a Fulbright Scholar with a Master’s degree in Environmental and Energy Policy. She is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s Business Agenda for Climate Change Adaptation community and the Editor of the 5th Global Environment Outlook for Youth publication by UNEP. Owing to her extensive experience, Karuna is often invited to share her work in high-level forums such as the Davos meeting and by key media platforms such as the BBC.

Sarah is a research fellow in the Centre for Global Development at Northumbria University, UK. Her work is centred around interests in civic space, migration and global development and collaborative research methods.

William Waqavakatoga is a PhD Candidate in Politics and International Relations at the University of Adelaide. His research project is titled, ‘Pacific Island Countries in International Relations: A case study of Fiji, Samoa and Tonga’. William is a former teacher assistant at the University of the South Pacific and worked as a broadcasting journalist in Fiji.