The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Programme of the RSIS Centre for Non-Traditional Security Studies (NTS Centre) hosted the Singapore Humanitarian Network (SHINE) Workshop on 31 July 2019.
This workshop brought together academics focused on the study of humanitarianism in the Asia-Pacific, humanitarian policy research professionals and practitioners based in Singapore. Nineteen researchers from different disciplines and twelve practitioners came together to discuss transdisciplinary research collaboration in humanitarian affairs.
In her welcome remarks, Professor Mely Caballero-Anthony encouraged participants to share more about their research interests and areas of work, and to identify opportunities for collaboration with one another.
At the previous meeting in December 2018, the network established working groups focused on three key transdisciplinary areas: (i) Data Management and Modelling, (ii) Logistics, and (iii) Education. These working groups made presentations on the progress of their respective projects.
The Data Management and Modelling working group shared their assessment of the current state of humanitarian data management and modelling efforts in Singapore, and emerging research trends. The Logistics working group, comprising researchers from NUS, NTU, and SMU, presented a draft report on some of the key challenges in humanitarian logistics in Southeast Asia. More specifically, they examined issues surrounding planning, distribution, waste management, and education. Finally, the Education working group presented on some ways to translate research into educational material, as well as training proposals for various potential groups.
A World Café was also convened at the event to encourage discussion between members of working groups and practitioners. The participants highlighted some of the gaps that exist between academia and practitioners, and identified potential ways to bridge them. The workshop ended with reflections being shared, and a meeting to discuss the next steps for the network. Participants suggested the hosting of collaborative training courses, as well as embedding researchers in humanitarian organisations as potential markers of cooperation.
