Humanitarian technology: a critical research agenda

The authors argue that while digital technologies offer opportunities for efficiency in crisis response, they are not neutral and can compromise core humanitarian principles. The paper identifies five analytical prisms for future research: the politics of humanitarian space, the rise of public-private partnerships, new methods of aid distribution (such as e-transfers), the reorganization of relationships between aid providers and recipients, and the emergence of new data-driven vulnerabilities. It concludes that the 'do no harm' imperative requires a more reflective approach to technology to ensure that digital divides do not marginalize the most vulnerable and that data collection does not create new security risks.

• The authors argue that technology is not a neutral tool but is 'both constituted by and constitutive of humanitarian practice,' meaning it actively shapes and is shaped by the political and social contexts of crisis management.
• The narrative of 'shrinking humanitarian space' often leads to an instrumentalist view of technology as a means for remote management, but the authors suggest humanitarian space is actually a 'social arena' where various actors negotiate outcomes.
• Digital divides create 'blind spots' in humanitarian action, where populations lacking connectivity or those whose life patterns do not generate 'digital breadcrumbs' may become invisible to big-data-driven aid efforts.
• The proliferation of public-private partnerships in humanitarian technology introduces risks, as private companies may prioritize brand and market access over humanitarian principles, and may be subject to national security politics that compromise data protection.
• The shift toward 'digital food' and e-transfers, while potentially more cost-effective, can create new dependencies and risks, including technical failures, lack of financial literacy among recipients, and security issues at cash-out points.
• Remote management enabled by technology can lead to a 'distancing tendency' and 'bunkerization,' where international staff withdraw into secure compounds, effectively re-allocating risk to local organizations and beneficiaries.
• The emergence of Volunteer and Technical Communities (V&TCs) introduces actors who may lack the contextual understanding or training in humanitarian principles (neutrality, impartiality, independence) necessary to adhere to the 'do no harm' imperative.
• Humanitarian data collection creates systemic vulnerabilities, including the 'mosaic effect,' where the aggregation of anonymous data can lead to the re-identification of individuals, posing extreme risks in conflict zones.
• The authors conclude that technology can potentially conflict with the principle of humanity by stripping assistance of respect for people in need and a contextual understanding of their predicament due to the remoteness it enables.

APA

Sandvik, K. B., Jumbert, M. G., Karlsrud, J., & Kaufmann, M. (n.d.). Humanitarian technology: a critical research agenda. Peace Research Institute Oslo. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/161a6d68-57d2-4730-8a4d-13c017c84132/Humanitarian technology a critical research agenda.pdf?inline=true

Chicago

Sandvik, Kristin Bergtora, Maria Gabrielsen Jumbert, John Karlsrud, and Mareile Kaufmann. Humanitarian technology: a critical research agenda. Peace Research Institute Oslo, n.d. https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/161a6d68-57d2-4730-8a4d-13c017c84132/Humanitarian technology a critical research agenda.pdf?inline=true.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sandvik |first1=Kristin Bergtora |last2=Jumbert |first2=Maria Gabrielsen |last3=Karlsrud |first3=John |last4=Kaufmann |first4=Mareile |title=Humanitarian technology: a critical research agenda |publisher=Peace Research Institute Oslo |url=https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/161a6d68-57d2-4730-8a4d-13c017c84132/Humanitarian technology a critical research agenda.pdf?inline=true |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sandvikndhumanitarian, author = {Sandvik, Kristin Bergtora and Jumbert, Maria Gabrielsen and Karlsrud, John and Kaufmann, Mareile}, title = {{Humanitarian technology: a critical research agenda}}, institution = {Peace Research Institute Oslo}, url = {https://cdn.cloud.prio.org/files/161a6d68-57d2-4730-8a4d-13c017c84132/Humanitarian technology a critical research agenda.pdf?inline=true}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }