National Academies Press: OpenBook
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×

SENSING AND
SHAPING EMERGING

CONFLICTS

image

Report of a Workshop by the
National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace
Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding

image

Andrew Robertson and Steve Olson, Rapporteurs

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING
OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS

Washington, D.C.

www.nap.edu

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS    500 Fifth Street, NW    Washington, DC 20001

NOTICE: This publication has been reviewed according to procedures approved by the National Academy of Engineering report review process. Publication of signed work signifies that it is judged a competent and useful contribution worthy of public consideration, but it does not imply endorsement of conclusions or recommendations by the National Academy of Engineering. The interpretations and conclusions in such publications are those of the authors and do not purport to present the views of the council, officers, or staff of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding, the sponsor of the workshop on which this report is based, is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (JDDM-3663-1), Qualcomm, National Science Foundation (ENG-1136841), U.S. Department of Agriculture (59-0790-2-058), U.S. Department of State, and CRDF Global. Any opinions, findings, or conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the workshop participants.

International Standard Book Number-13: 978-0-309-28611-4

International Standard Book Number-10: 0-309-28611-5

Copies of this report are available from the National Academies Press, 500 Fifth Street NW, Keck 360, Washington, DC 20001; (888) 624-8373 or (202) 334-3313; online at www.nap.edu.

For more information about the National Academy of Engineering, visit the NAE home page at www.nae.edu.

Copyright 2013 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering and Medicine

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Charles M. Vest is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Ralph J. Cicerone and Dr. Charles M. Vest are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council.

www.national-academies.org

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×

image

UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE

Center of Innovation for Science, Technology, & Peacebuilding

The United States Institute of Peace is the global conflict management center for the United States. Created by Congress in 1984 to be independent and nonpartisan, the Institute works to prevent, mitigate, and resolve international conflict through nonviolent means. USIP operates in the world’s most challenging conflict zones, and it leads in professional conflict management and peacebuilding by applying innovative tools, convening experts and stakeholders, supporting policymakers, and providing public education. The Institute translates its on-the-ground experience into knowledge, skills, and resources for policymakers, the US military, government and civilian leaders, nongovernmental organizations, practitioners, and citizens both here and abroad.

The Institute’s permanent headquarters and conference center are located at the northwest corner of the National Mall in Washington, DC. The facility also houses the Academy for International Conflict Management and Peacebuilding and the Global Peacebuilding Center.

www.usip.org

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×

WORKSHOP STEERING COMMITTEE

Prabhakar Raghavan (Cochair), Vice President of Engineering, Google

Lawrence Woocher (Cochair), Research Director, Science Applications International Corporation

Dennis King, Senior Humanitarian Affairs Analyst, Humanitarian Information Unit, US Department of State

Neil Levine, Director, Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation, US Agency for International Development

Patrick Vinck, Research Scientist, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative

Duncan Watts, Principal Researcher, Microsoft Research

Staff

Genève Bergeron, Research Assistant, US Institute of Peace

Sheldon Himelfarb, Director, US Institute of Peace

Greg Pearson, Senior Program Officer, National Academy of Engineering

Proctor P. Reid, Director, NAE Program Office

Andrew Robertson, Senior Program Officer, US Institute of Peace

Frederick S. Tipson, Special Advisor, US Institute of Peace

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×

This page intentionally left blank.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×

Acknowledgments

This summary has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen with procedures approved by the National Academies. The purpose of the NAE in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We thank the following individuals for their review of this report:

Dennis King, Senior Humanitarian Affairs Analyst, Humanitarian Information Unit, US Department of State

Jason Matheny, Program Manager, Open Source Indicators Program, Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity

Joseph Bock, Director of Global Health Training, Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame University

Rita Grossman-Vermaas, Senior International Policy Advisor, Logos Technologies Inc.

Patrick Meier, Director of Social Innovation, Qatar Computing Research Group

Sharon Morris, Director, Conflict Management Group, Mercy Corps

Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×

Although the reviewers listed above provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the views expressed in the report, nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Venkatesh (Venky) Narayanamurti, Benjamin Peirce Professor of Technology and Public Policy, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Science, and director, Science, Technology and Public Policy Program, Harvard Kennedy School. Appointed by NAE, he was responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authors and NAE.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Page R1
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Page R2
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Page R3
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Page R4
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Page R5
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Page R6
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Page R7
Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Page R8
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Page R9
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering. 2013. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/18349.
×
Page R10
Next: 1 Introduction and Themes »
Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Workshop by the National Academy of Engineering and United States Institute of Peace Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding Get This Book
×
Buy Paperback | $32.00 Buy Ebook | $25.99
MyNAP members save 10% online.
Login or Register to save!
Download Free PDF

Technology has revolutionized many aspects of modern life, from how businesses operate, to how people get information, to how countries wage war. Certain technologies in particular, including not only cell phones and the Internet but also satellites, drones, and sensors of various kinds, are transforming the work of mitigating conflict and building peaceful societies. Rapid increases in the capabilities and availability of digital technologies have put powerful communications devices in the hands of most of the world's population.

These technologies enable one-to-one and one-to-many flows of information, connecting people in conflict settings to individuals and groups outside those settings and, conversely, linking humanitarian organizations to people threatened by violence. Communications within groups have also intensified and diversified as the group members use new technologies to exchange text, images, video, and audio. Monitoring and analysis of the flow and content of this information can yield insights into how violence can be prevented or mitigated. In this way technologies and the resulting information can be used to detect and analyze, or sense, impending conflict or developments in ongoing conflict.

On October 11, 2012, the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) and the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) held a workshop in Washington, DC, to identify "major opportunities and impediments to providing better real-time information to actors directly involved in situations that could lead to deadly violence." The workshop brought together experts in technology, experts in peacebuilding, and people who have worked at the intersections of those two fields on the applications of technology in conflict settings, to consider uses of technology to sense emerging and ongoing conflicts and provide information and analyses that can be used to prevent violent and deadly conflict. Sensing and Shaping Emerging Conflicts: Report of a Joint Workshop of the National Academy of Engineering and the United States Institute of Peace: Roundtable on Technology, Science, and Peacebuilding summarizes the workshop.

  1. ×

    Welcome to OpenBook!

    You're looking at OpenBook, NAP.edu's online reading room since 1999. Based on feedback from you, our users, we've made some improvements that make it easier than ever to read thousands of publications on our website.

    Do you want to take a quick tour of the OpenBook's features?

    No Thanks Take a Tour »
  2. ×

    Show this book's table of contents, where you can jump to any chapter by name.

    « Back Next »
  3. ×

    ...or use these buttons to go back to the previous chapter or skip to the next one.

    « Back Next »
  4. ×

    Jump up to the previous page or down to the next one. Also, you can type in a page number and press Enter to go directly to that page in the book.

    « Back Next »
  5. ×

    Switch between the Original Pages, where you can read the report as it appeared in print, and Text Pages for the web version, where you can highlight and search the text.

    « Back Next »
  6. ×

    To search the entire text of this book, type in your search term here and press Enter.

    « Back Next »
  7. ×

    Share a link to this book page on your preferred social network or via email.

    « Back Next »
  8. ×

    View our suggested citation for this chapter.

    « Back Next »
  9. ×

    Ready to take your reading offline? Click here to buy this book in print or download it as a free PDF, if available.

    « Back Next »
Stay Connected!