Exploring the application of emerging technologies in humanitarian and development contexts

Emerging technologies, such as machine learning, remote sensing, virtual reality, big data, artificial intelligence, robotics, and 3D printing, are offering new and interesting opportunities for the humanitarian and development sectors. Remote sensing imagery and machine-learning might, for example, be used to improve disaster resilience or to assess damage after a disaster [1]. Virtual reality might be used to improve empathy towards refugees [2], to allow people to experience climate chance [3] or to simulate humanitarian training, e.g. to prepare staff for deployment during an Ebola crisis [4]. Big data might be used to improve disaster response [5], robotics can be used in demining [6], and 3D printing might help overcome supply chain challenges and allow the development of humanitarian technologies to be done in a more participatory way [7].

While emerging technologies offer a range of opportunities, the question is how the humanitarian sector ensures that these opportunities are translated into solutions that provides benefits for people on the ground. One important challenge is that citizens of low-income countries, where regulation is often lacking, might be negatively affected by experimentation with emerging technologies [9]. Innovators will, therefore, need to ensure that their innovations bring actual benefits [10]. Another challenge is the limitations of the sector’s innovation eco system. As Ramalingam et al. have argued, the humanitarian sector’s financial and other resources constraints, lack of information, and capacity, poses a barrier to innovation [8].

This project will explore the spectrum of opportunities offered by emerging technologies in the context of humanitarian and development, and investigate the ways in which they currently are, and how they might, provide real and practical benefits on the ground.

References

[1] Quinn, J.A., Nyhan, M.M., Navarro, C., Coluccia, D., Bromley, L. and Luengo-Oroz, M., 2018. Humanitarian applications of machine learning with remote-sensing data: review and case study in refugee settlement mapping. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences, 376(2128), p.2017036

[2] Keating, B., 2017. Changing Hearts and Minds, using Virtual Reality to Improve Empathy towards Refugees. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 32(S1), pp.S86-S86.

[3] Suarez, P., 2017. Virtual reality for a new climate: Red Cross innovations in risk management. Australian Journal of Emergency Management, The, 32(2), p.11.

[4] Ragazzoni, L., Ingrassia, P.L., Echeverri, L., Maccapani, F., Berryman, L., Burkle, F.M. and Della Corte, F., 2015. Virtual reality simulation training for Ebola deployment. Disaster medicine and public health preparedness, 9(5), pp.543-546.

[5] Meier, P., 2015. Digital humanitarians: how big data is changing the face of humanitarian response. Routledge.

[6] santana, P.F., Barata, J. and Correia, L., 2007. Sustainable robots for humanitarian demining. International Journal of Advanced Robotic Systems, 4(2), p.23.

[7] Loy, J., Tatham, P., Healey, R. and Tapper, C.L., 2016. 3D printing meets humanitarian design research: Creative technologies in remote regions. In Creative Technologies for Multidisciplinary Applications (pp. 54-75). IGI Global.

[8] Ramalingam, B., Rush, H., Bessant, J., Marshall, N., Gray, B., Hoffman, K., Bayley, S. and Warren, K., 2015. Strengthening the humanitarian innovation ecosystem.

[9] Searle, M., 2019. Striking a Balance: Emerging Technologies, Humanitarian Needs, and Other Public Goods. Policy Report. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technical University, Singapore.

[10] Searle, M., 2019. Striking a Balance: Disaster Responder's and Affected Communities' Interests in New Technologies. Policy Report. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technical University, Singapore.

Supervisors

Dr Peter Stasinopoulos

Dr Tanja Rosenqvist

Dr Nick Brown

How to apply?

Find information more the application process here.

Want to learn more?

For specific questions about the project and funding opportunities, please contact:

Tanja Rosenqvist - tanja.rosenqvist@rmit.edu.au