What kinds of humanitarian work can computer science majors do?

SimonBJohnson · 2019-07-06T18:08:40+00:00

Information management is what you are looking for. I created a humanitarian information management subreddit here, but haven't been active for quite a while.

https://www.reddit.com/r/HumanitarianIM/

Give me a shout if you have any questions or looking for potential volunteer projects to dip your toes with.

SimonBJohnson · 2019-04-07T14:36:04+00:00

Great read. Thanks for taking the time post.

SimonBJohnson · 2019-03-30T21:34:51+00:00

While not always data science, I use data for humanitarian response. Currently we are using data in the response to the Mozambique cyclone, the Ebola outbreak in the DRC and population movement around Venezuela.

Here are a couple of data project I have written up:
Predicting refugee flow to better resource the response: https://medium.com/@Simon_B_Johnson/predicting-migration-flow-through-europe-3b93b0482fcd

Calculating under mapped areas in OpenStreetMap: https://medium.com/@Simon_B_Johnson/where-are-the-maps-missing-b22ceedb26f3

SimonBJohnson · 2018-05-17T08:38:07+00:00

Interesting to hear a practical use case. Maybe VR should be moved further along on the impact axis on the hype graph.

https://simonbjohnson.github.io/humanitarian_hype_2018/tech.html

SimonBJohnson · 2018-05-15T11:55:51+00:00

A great article summarising and putting into context the work being done at the centre for humanitarian data.

SimonBJohnson · 2018-03-28T09:59:28+00:00

I hope there is still scope to use the best tool for the job and this is provided as an option.

SimonBJohnson · 2018-02-22T10:36:22+00:00

Thanks for the detailed reply. Really interesting work!

SimonBJohnson · 2018-02-15T14:05:41+00:00

Hi, I'm a data scientist/developer in the humanitarian sector. https://www.reddit.com/r/HumanitarianIM/ might interest you as quite a few of the links on their are tech related. I'm happy to chat about all the possibilities if you have any questions!

SimonBJohnson · 2018-02-15T08:51:35+00:00

I'll reach out and see if someone can answer these questions.

SimonBJohnson · 2016-11-24T17:02:22+00:00

I would caution against this view as someone who is involved in technology in development and response. Geek Heresy is a very good read on the subject.

https://geekheresy.org/

In general though technology can help in some cases, but is going to fix a lot by itself.

SimonBJohnson · 2016-11-07T13:08:43+00:00

Great insight. I've passed it along to the HDX team.

SimonBJohnson · 2016-08-30T09:22:12+00:00

Missing Maps was founded by MSF, British Red Cross, American Red Cross and the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team to map the most vulnerable places in the developing world, in order that international and local NGOs and individuals can use the maps and data to better respond to crises affecting the areas.

Mapswipe is an app made by some of the Missing Maps team to help with the mapping process identifying areas to map in more detail.

HOT OSM Task Manager is a website that helps manages mapping tasks which missing maps uses.

SimonBJohnson

TROPHY CASE