Project Operations

The governance of the CaribData project has several components, designed to ensure strategic oversight, and stakeholder engagement.

Executing Agency

The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus serves as the Executing Agency, responsible for overall project implementation, including procurement, financial management, and reporting. Professor Ian Hambleton acts as the UWI project lead, and his time on the project is provided as UWI counterpart funding.

Project Steering Committee

A Project Steering Committee (PSC) provides governance and strategic direction. Each of the four beneficiary countries—Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago—appoints a National Focal Point from its National Statistical Office (NSO) to serve on the PSC. The PSC meets quarterly to guide project activities, approve strategic decisions, and ensure alignment with project goals. Representatives from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) participate in an advisory capacity. The UWI serves as Secretary to the PSC, which selects its own Chair and Vice-Chair.

Beneficiaries

Belize – Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB)

The Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), established in 2007, is the autonomous national body responsible for official statistics. It oversees the collection, analysis, and dissemination of data on demographics, the economy, health, and the environment. Headquartered in Belmopan, SIB operates district offices and is governed by a mixed board of public and private sector representatives. It maintains an online portal with up-to-date indicators to support national planning and public access to data.

Guyana – Bureau of Statistics (BoS)

Guyana’s Bureau of Statistics is the central authority for statistical coordination and production. It manages population censuses, household surveys, and key economic data, advising public and private stakeholders. Based in Georgetown, the Bureau provides vital statistics across trade, labour, prices, and social indicators to support national decision-making and international reporting requirements.

Jamaica – Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN)

STATIN is Jamaica’s official statistical agency, established under the Statistics Act and operating under the Ministry of Finance. It collects and publishes data on all major sectors, including the economy, labour, and population. STATIN follows international standards and regularly produces household surveys, GDP reports, and labour force data, helping inform both national policy and global comparisons.

Trinidad & Tobago – Central Statistical Office (CSO)

The Central Statistical Office is Trinidad and Tobago’s national statistics agency, functioning under the Ministry of Planning and Development. Established in 1952, it is responsible for conducting censuses and compiling statistics on trade, agriculture, prices, employment, and more. The CSO plays a key role in national planning and supports efforts toward SDG monitoring and digital data reforms.

Project Team

Prof. Ian Hambleton

A biostatistician and data handling expert with 30 years experience in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. Published 200+ articles, secured US$18M in health funding. Leads data handling, analytics, and secure online data collection. Collaborates with international universities and donor agencies. Holds degrees in Mathematics, Medical Statistics, and Statistical Epidemiology. Ian's has expertise in end-to-end data solutions for resource limited settings, data analytics for public health evidence. He has been design and analysis lead on a large number of health research projects. He develops data handling frameworks to ensure sustainable data quality, and low-maintenance database environments.

Dr. Selvi Jeyaseelan

Selvi Jeyaseelan is a PhD-level physiologist and clinical trialist, who has been involved in researcher and research group development for over 20 years, in the UK, Africa and the Caribbean. Throughout this time, Selvi has mentored researchers to effectively manage the demands of a research career, creating an environment for success without compromising on work-life balance. Selvi runs a consultancy firm providing individualised support, mentorship and strategic planning for individual researchers and research groups. She is passionate about research impact, effective dissemination, and public engagement, and these activities are central to her ongoing research activities with academic and non-academic partners. Selvi draws on her professional experience with international collaborations particularly in under-resourced settings, and her lived experience of equality, diversity, and inclusion to enable mentees and workshop participants to achieve their potential.

Jacqueline Campbell

Jacqui is a Barbados-based data systems expert and researcher with over 15 years of experience in data management, software support, and research development, particularly in public health and non-communicable disease surveillance. She currently serves as a consultant with the CaribData project, where she leads initiatives in REDCap user support, database design, and regional training. Her previous work includes supporting the development of Caribbean-wide non-communicable disease registries, designing databases for the International Atomic Energy Agency, and managing data systems and quality control processes across the University of the West Indies. With various clients, she has developed more than 60 REDCap databases, led training for multidisciplinary teams, and contributed to peer-reviewed publications on cardiovascular disease trends and health surveillance systems in small island developing states. Jacqueline is known for her ability to bridge the gap between technical teams and stakeholders to deliver practical, sustainable data solutions.

Dr. Ro-Ann Smith

Ro-Ann Smith is a strategic communicator and marketing professional with over 15 years of experience leading multi-stakeholder projects across the Caribbean and internationally. With a PhD in Marketing (awaiting examination) and an MSc in Management with Marketing from the University of the West Indies, she blends academic insight with practical expertise in communications, service design, and stakeholder engagement. Ro-Ann has held roles spanning business consultancy, academic tutoring, and regional project coordination, with a strong focus on people-centered service delivery, data-informed marketing strategies, and inclusive communication. Her work includes significant contributions to vocational training, educational technology, and public sector communications, as well as research into refugee services and consumer behavior.

George Helliar

George Helliar is a seasoned research consultant with nearly two decades of experience in both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, spanning public, private, and academic sectors. Based between Barbados and the UK, he has led and delivered a diverse portfolio of research projects across the Caribbean, with a strong focus on project design, data analysis, and actionable reporting. His expertise includes managing complex multi-country studies, designing REDCap and SPSS-based data systems, and generating insights through dashboards and storytelling. George has worked with clients ranging from Digicel and ANSA Merchant Bank to the University of the West Indies, SALISES, and UNDP, and is also a skilled copyeditor, currently supporting Avaaz's global campaigning efforts.

The Angry Health Team

Dr. Chris Hillier

Highly experienced executive, and consultant, with experience in the UK, US, and the Caribbean. Has extensive expertise in academia and industry, and brings specific expertise in business data science, analytics, visualization, strategy, sustainable business modelling, training, capacity building, culture change in large networks.

Dr. Sascha Ollinson

Highly experienced Project Manager and business educator, with extensive experience in managing large-scale, multidisciplinary projects, particularly in data-intensive environments. Expertise in agile and traditional project management methodologies, risk management, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable business development

Dr. Ali Yalcin (Data Scientist)

Award-winning senior academic with global consulting experience, 20+ yrs of online and hybrid teaching experience in linear systems, system dynamics, operations research, simulation, programming, and data analytics. Specific expertise in data analytics, ambient intelligence, time-series data mining, analytics applications in healthcare.

Mr. Kevin Maurer (Journalist)

Pulitzer Prize winning author and media specialist. New York Times bestselling co-author, distinguished career in journalism marked by expertise in data-driven storytelling and investigative reporting, >17yrs of experience working in internationally including Afghanistan, Iraq, Haiti, Africa. Has featured in GQ, Men’s Journal, The Daily Beast, The Washington Post.