UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A new book edited by Carleen F. Maitland, associate professor of information sciences and technology, explores the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by refugees and displaced persons. Titled “Digital Lifeline? ICTs for Refugees and Displaced Persons,” the book was published by the MIT Press this May.
Maitland’s research focuses on the use of technology, such as mobile phones, wireless networks and biometric authentication, for humanitarian relief and social and economic development. Written primarily for students, scholars and aid agencies, the book builds on this research to provide a forward-looking perspective on the problems faced by "digital refugees” and explores the research, policies and practices needed to understand the issues surrounding their use of ICTs.
“In the book, we articulate a research agenda that we hope will help to shape future technical designs, the organizational practices around the technology, and its use in mitigating the trauma of the refugee,” said Maitland.
In 2016, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees reported that the number of refugees, displaced persons and stateless persons due to war, oppression, economic collapse or natural phenomena like drought and famine neared 100 million worldwide. Maitland recognizes that the individual’s need to access technology and communicate with family members often precedes the ability to address the underlying issues of these displacement causes.
“The most fundamental need for a refugee is to communicate," said Maitland.
As humanitarian organizations have more recently adopted innovative practices to address the refugee crisis, they are now more commonly viewing ICTs as essential to their missions. With ICTs’ potential to both benefit and harm refugees, however, the book explores the scalability and sustainability of these innovations and speculates about emerging issues based on current research and practices.