Paper details

Abstract

This research uses three distinct methods to describe the processes and decisions made within the humanitarian data ecosystem, with the intent to highlight who is accountable for decisions made at different spatial scales and to improve transparency of data acquisition, management and analysis processes associated with internally displaced persons. The first method, referred to as the ‘institutional map’, illustrates the main institutional actors situated within the humanitarian sector and how they are interrelated and involved at various stages (top-down and bottom-up). The second method, known as the ‘data journey’, highlights the processes and decisions made at various stages of IDP data acquisition, management and analysis to determine who is accountable for decisions made at different scales and identify pivotal moments where vulnerabilities may be reduced/exacerbated. Finally, the third method denotes a record of the author’s reflections on the humanitarian data ecosystem, specifically the humanitarian data exchange and the humanitarian response online portal, to discuss issues associated with interoperability, usability and accessibility from a geospatial data science and visualisation perspective. Together, these three methods provide potential for improving our understanding of the existing humanitarian data ecosystem to i) address issues associated with accountability and transparency; ii) improve data ethics, accessibility and interoperability and; iii) expose and reduce vulnerabilities of marginalised groups.