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Summary

The humanitarian sector has seen a range of innovations in the way aid isÌýdelivered. The aim of this module is to understand the impact of these, identify areas for improvement andÌýto provide you with a space toÌýdevelopÌýyour ownÌýideas for future technologies (in collaboration with the ).Ìý

You will look at the modes of innovation that are implemented and the actors involved - from mission oriented to demand driven approaches, and critically appraise their appropriacy using case studies from the field.

Whatever product innovation has occurred it is useless if it is not where it needs to be. You will look at the humanitarian supply chain and look at what technologies are changing the approaches used, such as localised manufacturing, digital services & fabrication, portable technologies and UAVs. You will understand the importance of follow up aspects of the value chain, such as repair and maintenance. Additionally, it is vital to understand the actual impact of technological innovation, so you will look at outcome measures for both established and fledgling technologies, in particular the importance of the ‘do no harm’ imperative, and the wider, systemic issues that arise from interventions such as inclusion or lack thereof.

The method of delivery

The module will be delivered through a combination of taught lectures and tutorials, with supported team-based project work. Students will be organized into groups of no more than 5 in the first 3 weeks of the course, once some background has been developed as a grounding in the subject topics, before a specific area is chosen by groups to work on a design project. The nature of the design project is open – it will likely comprise a conceptual design based on a real-life scenario or challenge, along with an analysis of how the design would need to be evaluated. Actual prototyping is possible and encouraged where appropriate, however not a requirement for this module.