Atrocity Prevention Lab
The Atrocity Prevention Lab is a project to strengthen innovation, collaboration, and impact of atrocity and conflict prevention work through the integration of spatial methods and technologies. Launched in 2023, this project was established by the Signal Program on Human Security and Technology at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative.
Harvard Humanitarian Initiative
14 Story Street, 2nd Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138
Asynchronous course
114
Students already enrolled
4-6
Hours of content
8
Modules
Free
To all participants
Course Objectives
This modular, asynchronous course is intended to introduce early warning and early action (EW/EA) practitioners, decision-makers, and humanitarian actors to spatial analytics and its use for conflict and atrocity prevention work. By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand what we mean when discussing ‘atrocities’ in this course.
- Define spatial analytics and comprehend relevant key concepts.
- Be able to identify differences and similarities between spatial and non-spatial analytics.
- Recognize the types of questions spatial analytics can answer.
- Understand the bias that can be introduced into spatial products.
- Identify software and tools relevant to conducting spatial analytics.
- Understand different types of spatial methods and how they could be relevant for atrocity prevention.
- Be able to discuss how to present data effectively for supporting the coordination of early response actions.
- Be able to critically think through scenarios and identify ways in which spatial analytics can be incorporated into EW/EA workflows.
Intended Audience
This curriculum is an online primer for EW/EA analysts and decision-makers who have little to no experience with geospatial analytics. While the course is intended for EW/EA practitioners, the course may be taken by anyone with an interest in spatial analytics and its application for EW/EA for conflict and atrocity prevention.
Format & Duration
This is an asynchronous modular course that consists of 8 modules. Six modules are required while another 2 are optional. You must complete the course at your own pace within a two-month timeframe to receive a certificate of completion. All modules are composed of videos that may be downloaded if needed for offline viewing and include several case studies and knowledge checks.
The total duration of the entire course is approximately 4-6 hours.
Laura Mills
Co-founder | Director of Data Science | Data Science for Sustainable Development (DSSD)
Josh Panganiban
Co-founder | Business Development | Data Science for Sustainable Development (DSSD)
Saira Khan
Info Management | UNICEF | South Sudan | (Formerly researcher and geospatial analyst for the Atrocity Prevention Lab)
Erica Nelson
Principal Investigator | Signal Program | Harvard Humanitarian Initiative
Madhawa Palihapitiya
Early Warning Consultant | Signal Program | Harvard Humanitarian Initiative