St Helena Research Institute hosts first ever island research conference
The St Helena Research Institute, in partnership with the University of Manchester, hosted an online conference on 27–28 November 2024: “St Helena – A Unique Environment, A Rich Tapestry.” The event brought together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from St Helena and around the world to explore the island’s vibrant biodiversity, rich history, and urgent challenges delivered by 33 speakers. The conference provided a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, weaving together research, conservation, and community perspectives. It helped foster a deeper understanding of St Helena’s unique environment, heritage and society and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for its future.
Panel One
Anthropology, history.
(5 papers, 15 minutes each) Panel Session Chair – Adam Sizeland, Director of the Museum of St Helena
- Protecting an earthly paradise: St Helena’s 1993 Sustainable Environment and Development Strategy, Isobel Akerman, University of Cambridge
- Saint Music, James Fantom & Louis Youde
- Saintly Names: People through the centuries, Jesse Hillman
- Creative and Community Collaboration with Colonial Archives, Professor Ruth Simbao, National Research Foundation Chair in Geopolitics and the Arts of Africa, Rhodes University, South Africa
- Connecting the hidden gems – Caroline Moss-Gibbons, Parasol Librarian, University of Gibraltar
Panel Two
Social science, culture & economy.
(5 papers x 15 minutes each) Panel session chair – Joey George, Former Managing Director Bank of St Helena
- Voices from St Helena, Sam Phippard
- State of the Nation, Neil Fantom
- Equiano, a bridge or a bypass?, Andrew Whitworth & Gareth Drabble
Panel Three
Medical, health and telemedicine
(5 papers x 15 minutes each) Panel session chair – Wendy Benjamin, Education Consultant, Education, Skills & Employment Portfolio, St Helena Government
- Mental health and resilience in young people – Tara Murphy
- Developing a diabetes registry – Selvi Jeyaseelan
- It started with a phone call – Ian Rummery
- Health behaviour change in isolated communities – Wendy Maltinsky
- Economic development in small islands – Mike Pretes
- Plenary: Towards a Smarter Island – Rebecca Cairns-Wicks
Panel Four
Invertebrate fauna.
(4 papers x 15 mins) Panel session chair – Martina Peters, University of Exeter
- Spiky Yellow Woodlouse Action Plan – Vicky Wilkins
- Protecting and monitoring native invertebrates – Natasha Stevens & Liza Fowler
- Transforming St Helena’s spider fauna – Danni Sherwood & Daryl Joshua
Panel Five
Flora and lichens.
(5 papers x 15 minutes) Panel session Chair – Alan Gray, Plant Ecologist UKCEH
- iRecord St Helena – Selene Gough
- Oceanic island museomics – Annabelle de Vries
- A study of tree disease – Amy Webster
- AtlantAves: reviving ancient island wildlife – Antoine Louchart
- Endemic lichens – Laurens Sparrius
Panel Six
Geology and the geological context
(3 papers x 15 minutes) Panel session Chair – Derek Henry, Head of Infrastructure St Helena Government
- Land use influences on bryophyte and soil microbiology – Tsvetoslav Georgiev
- Seabed mapping and maritime obligations – Mia Henry, Devlin Yon & Kerrie Howard
- Mapping soils and vegetation – Samuel Pike & Katie Medcalf
- Improving grasslands – James Fantom
Panel Seven
Ecosystem management.
(4 papers x 15 mins) Panel session Chair – Rebecca Cairns-Wicks, Coordinator, St Helena Research Institute
- Biocontrol: Wasps v Wild Mango – Chloe Wainwright
- The critical role of soil in island ecosystems – Gareth Clay
- The importance of cloud forest habitat for water supply – Robert George
- How can St Helena develop sustainable systems – Ayat-Allah Bouramdane
- Final Plenary: Areas of future research interest/priority, impact, opportunities – Rebecca Cairns-Wicks