Professor Tannecia Stephenson of Jamaica is one of the Caribbean’s foremost climate scientists. Professor Stephenson is pursuing actionable research that shapes how the Caribbean understands and responds to the urgent realities of climate change. She is Co-Director of the Climate Studies Group Mona and has led landmark studies that assess historical climate change across the region. She has contributed to regional efforts to develop digital platforms that make climate data accessible to policymakers.
Prof. Tannecia Stephenson
She has ensured that Caribbean priorities such as heat-related impacts and rising sea levels are prominently represented on the world stage, strengthening the region’s voice in climate finance and resilience-building negotiations.
Professor Stephenson has also been a trusted mentor to many early-career climate scientists now leading climate initiatives throughout the region. In collaboration with regional colleagues, she has coordinated projects to update tools that enable scenario planning for hurricanes to improve disaster preparedness and save lives. She has earned numerous awards from The University of the West Indies.
For ensuring that climate change research priorities are Caribbean-led and helping to position the region as a critical voice in climate negotiations, Professor Stephenson is our 2026 Joint Laureate in Science & Technology.