Call for Applications: Workshop on Robust Socio-technical Architectures in Support of Displaced Persons

A Call for Applications has been posted for a Workshop on Robust Socio-technical Architectures in Support of Displaced Persons (DPEW ‘13), to be held in Cape Town, South Africa, Dec 4-5.

Population displacement is a growing problem, with 41.3 million persons displaced globally in 2011. Whether driven from their homes by armed conflict, natural disasters, or climate change, the displaced experience acute demands for connectivity, communication and connectedness.

This workshop will define a research agenda with the goal of helping displaced persons meet their information and communication needs. By defining research goals in areas spanning technical designs, theories of information needs and organizational IT governance, the resulting socio-technical architecture will promote development of robust and rapidly deployable technologies.  We seek talented and imaginative academics and practitioners from a variety of scientific disciplines, including computer, information, organization and geographic information sciences, communication and refugee studies, as well as practitioners with experience related to shelter or refugee camp management.

Applications are due September 5th, and should include

1) a 1-page, single-spaced position paper highlighting their intellectual contribution to the workshop, 2) a 1-page biography or 2-page CV, including a website link where available, and 3) up to three published articles.

Travel reimbursement will be provided (see the full call for details). The workshop is made possible and funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation. Thanks to Andrea Tapia for passing this along!