Background

The event will launch our global report on the Humanitarian Research and Innovation Landscape, the culmination of two years of research and consultation activities through our Global Prioritisation Exercise (GPE) for humanitarian research and innovation (HRI). This work aimed to systematically capture the activity and views of the people working within the global HRI community. The resulting report provides the most comprehensive overview of the HRI landscape to date.

About the launch   

The launch of this major new report will provide a strategic platform to present the principal findings, conclusions and recommendations from the 16 regional, national, and country level research and consultations produced by multiple teams over the last two years. The event aims to stimulate a shift in how the global humanitarian system collaborates with scientific and innovation expertise.  

During the launch we will bring a particular focus on new evidence which points to the need and opportunity for a strategic move away from a pervasive overreliance on European and North American institutions, towards increased acknowledgement of the leadership, and strategic partnership and investment in institutions based within crises-affected regions. The event hopes to kick-start global action that can amplify and promote this encouraging trajectory and consider the specific policy and practice changes needed to bring it about.  

Themes we’ll explore:

• How can we optimise HRI funds to achieve more significant and sustainable impact for communities affected by crises? 
• How can the lack of coordination in the existing system be addressed? 
• How can relationships and partnerships beyond the traditional humanitarian sector be strengthened? 
• How can greater participation from diverse and affected communities in the humanitarian sector be ensured? 
• What strategies can be implemented to enhance the translation of research findings for better accessibility by operational practitioners? 

Meet the panel

Panellists:

• Jeannie Annan, Chief Innovation Officer, IRC
• Rhea Tariq, Trustee, Elrha 
• Ruba Hijazi, Middle East and North Africa Regional Manager, Response Innovation Lab

Presenters:

• Ziad Issa, Head of Policy and Research, Action Aid UK and report author 
• Nigel Timmins, Humanitarian Consultant and report author 
• Jess Camburn, CEO, Elrha

Chair: Mark Bowden, GPE reference group chair and Senior Research Associate, ODI

The event will be hosted online via Zoom.

Watch the event recording

The GPE is a landmark multi-phased initiative that aims to improve outcomes for people affected by crisis and address gaps in knowledge about how the humanitarian research and innovation system operates.