Open KE Fellowship to support evidenced-based policymaking for resilient recovery in the Caribbean

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During the 2017 Hurricane season, several islands in the Caribbean sustained considerable damage, particularly Dominica, Barbuda, the British Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sint Maarten, Cuba, Turks and Caicos, and Puerto Rico. These devastating impacts seriously compromise positive development trajectories in the region. Exposure to risk is extreme and disaster impacts deepened by economic fragility, weak governance and social inequalities. The period following disaster events, when political attention is heightened and key decisions are being made on rehabilitation, can be a chance to radically reduce future risk. Disasters can destroy decades of development gains, but they also offer an opportunity for increasing resilience. Political willingness to engage with radical change in the Caribbean is strong, particularly in Dominica, where Prime Minister Skerrit has established his ambition for Dominica to become the first climate resilient nation. Implementing this vision in a post-disaster setting will require continued political support, financing and, most importantly for this KE Fellowship, the use of NERC science. Capital investment decisions are being taken now to restore the natural and built environments; new policies to promote economic resilience are being considered in the recovery period (with a risk of these not addressing ecosystem restoration and sustainability); risk financing products are being developed (that may not consider non-climate-related risks); and new initiatives to promote risk assessment, preparedness and early warning systems are being rolled into recovery planning. NERC science can play a pivotal role in informing these decisions, but it needs to get into the hands of decision-makers in the right form and in response to their specific needs. Collaboration is needed between policymakers, researchers and practitioners (including the private sector) to plan for long-term recovery and build back better.The UK has a strong record of collaborative research in this region, but this is currently as fragmented as the myriad problems that beset Small Island Developing Stated in general, and small Caribbean islands in particular. There is however strong willingness within the UK research community to take the time to learn about the network of projects already embedded in the region, collaborate and engage with Caribbean stakeholders to understand and address critical knowledge gaps.Through this Knowledge Exchange Fellowship, I will respond to the demand expressed by Caribbean governments and regional stakeholders for greater use of science to build back better; and to growing interest in the UK to support recovery through demand-driven research.