Signal Program

Print This Page

THE SIGNAL PROGRAM ON HUMAN SECURITY AND TECHNOLOGY

The Signal Program on Human Security and Technology at HHI utilizes the latest information and satellite technologies to conduct research and education projects that seek to understand how these technologies can be employed to protect vulnerable populations affected by both human and natural disasters. Signal was established to explore how technology can be used to document and prevent threats to human rights and human security around the world by bringing together leading technologists, organizations, and practitioners to develop innovation for the human security of vulnerable populations.

 

REPORTS

Forthcoming report to be published on Tuesday May 21st, 2012.

SELECTED MEDIA

"The Case Against Humanitarian Drones"  Open Canada, December 12, 2012  

"Crisis Mapping Needs an Ethical Compass"  Global Brief, February 6, 2012  

"Monitoring Humanitarian Crises in the Digital Age: Crisis Mapping, Crowdsourcing, and Satellite Imagery"  HPCR, December 13, 2012  

"Choosing Our Own Reckoning: Why Crisis Mapping Must Professionalize Itself"  HPCR, December 13, 2012  

"Crisis Spotting"  Berkman Center for Internet & Society Podcast, November 9, 2012  

"USAID Mass Atrocity Prevention Tech Challenge Winners"  USAID, March 2012  

signal pipeline 3

BACKGROUND

Through its participation in the Satellite Sentinel Project, HHI contributed to a watershed moment in the development of “protective humanitarian” technologies by employing the strategic collection and targeted presentation of data to deter and prevent mass atrocities. Nearly three dozen faculty, staff, and student interns worked at HHI to analyze satellite imagery and collect, catalogue and interpret reports from Sudan. HHI’s work for SSP related to the crisis in Sudan marked the first sustained, public effort to systematically monitor and report on potential hotspots and threats to security along a border. The training, methodology and tools designed by HHI for SSP are scalable so that they may be used in a diversity of rapid response, human rights, and human security contexts. The implications of this work are far-reaching; the methods and lessons learned during this period led to the creation of the Signal Program on Human Security and Technology at HHI.

Increasingly, institutions and individuals are using information communication technologies (ICT) and other tools to respond to complex humanitarian disasters. Signal provides teaching and research in the analysis of satellite imagery and the use of other data sources. It serves as a convener of experts to explore the development of ethics and standards in the use of these technologies for civilian protection. Additionally, Signal provides a forum for the discussion of innovative research methods designed to assess the impact of this analysis on the decision making process of key stakeholders.

CORE COMPONENTS

small size blue signal rotatedI.  Providing near real-time analysis of satellite imagery and ground sourced data to inform decision making related to civilian protection and the provision of humanitarian aid
 
II. Conducting retrospective analysis of archival satellite imagery that can be used by competent bodies to corroborate evidence for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity and to identify evidence of other alleged atrocities

III. Developing standardized procedures, and technological tools and platforms for the collection and dissemination of near real-time data and analysis through remote sensing and information communication technologies (ICT)

IV. Convening leading experts to facilitate the development of standards and ethics in the use of technology for civilian protection

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Nathaniel Raymond
Director

Benjamin Davies
Deputy Director
bdavies@hsph.harvard.edu

Isaac Baker
Imagery Analysis Manager
ibaker@hsph.harvard.edu

Brittany Card
Data Analysis Coordinator

Ziad Al Achkar
Data Analysis Coordinator

Steve Juntunen
Strategic Partnership Advisor