Understanding humanitarian information infrastructure: An ethnographic case study of designing public health surveillance systems monitoring sexual violence and exploitation

Dean, Rebecca

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/15269 Copy

Description

Title

Understanding humanitarian information infrastructure: An ethnographic case study of designing public health surveillance systems monitoring sexual violence and exploitation

Author(s)

Dean, Rebecca

Issue Date

2009-02-08

Keyword(s)

• humanitarian information
• information infrastructure
• surveillance
• women

Abstract

Sexual violence and exploitation (SVE) in conflict settings is an under reported phenomenon that has challenged service delivery and humanitarian intervention. A proposed solution to this problem is to create a global SVE surveillance system to monitor and assess SVE in conflict settings. This requires large scale collaboration and technical systems design among many humanitarian actors including United Nation agencies, international non-governmental associations, and communitybased organizations. While the solution to design the SVE surveillance system has been initiated, little is known about the existing information infrastructure that these groups currently use. A better understanding of the information infrastructure will inform the design and increase the chances of success in implementing a SVE surveillance system. Related studies conducted in information studies by Susan Leigh Star of large scale information infrastructures has provided a relevant methodological theory for this particular study, known as an ethnography of infrastructure. Ethnography of infrastructure relies on qualitative and naturalistic investigative methods such as in depth interviews. The study lends itself to generalizable knowledge about data sharing, humanitarian information infrastructure, and complex systems design.

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/15269

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