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
Spatial literacy & analysis
Spatial analysis provides a powerful framework for understanding and interpreting complex spatial relationships. By harnessing the potential of spatial data, patterns, and modeling techniques, it facilitates evidence-based decision-making, resource optimization, early warning systems, and so much more. Its interdisciplinary nature and ability to visualize data in geographic contexts make it an essential tool for addressing various challenges and creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable solutions. Want to learn more? Check out the resources below.
APL Guide to Learning Spatial Methods
Documents
Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping
This field guide was produced by MapAction to help humanitarian organisations to make use of mapping methods using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related technologies
The Language of Spatial Analysis
An interactive handbook that establishes a foundation for thinking spatially, developed by Esri
Webinars and lectures
New Recording! GIS Day Webinar
This webinar, hosted by the Signal Program, celebrates GIS Day and features insights from leading experts in geography and conflict analysis.
Data, Maps, and Spatial Analysis for Conflict and Atrocity Prevention
A webinar hosted by the Signal Program, featuring diverse perspectives, that discusses the challenges and potential of data and maps for conflict and atrocity prevention
Enhancing Peacebuilding Through GIS
A practical discussion hosted by PIND about how GIS can be used for peacebuilding and conflict prevention applications
Advancing the Use of GIS in Peacebuilding
How can GIS tools and methods enhance peacebuilding? This webinar delves into this question and others. Hosted at the Emerging Technologies in Peacebuilding and Prevention Virtual Practitioners Worksh
The Technical Feasibility of Conflict Prediction for Anticipatory Action
A webinar hosted by UN OCHA’s Centre for Humanitarian Data. This discussion considers the use of conflict prediction for anticipatory action
Websites
Humanitarian GIS Hub
An ESRI website to explore how GIS solutions have been and can be used for humanitarian research and response.
GIS 4 Peace
GIS for Peace is a community engagement platform meant to accelerate the uptake of GIS by peacebuilders. The platform features spatial datasets, tools, applications, and examples of how GIS solutions
Conflict Observatory
Explore how the Conflict Observatory fuses satellite imagery analysis and open-source investigation techniques to document war crimes, mass atrocities, and other abuses of power
Publications
Space-Time Cube Approach in Analysing Conflicts in Africa
Osman A et al., 2023 | This analysis demonstrates the value of using three-dimensional space-time cubes to analyze conflict to better understand consecutive, sporadic, oscillating, and new violent hotspots.
A Review and Assessment of Spatial Analysis and Conflict: The Geography of War
Raleigh C et al., n.d | As conflict analyses increasingly incorporate geography as a variable, it is important to examine pre-existing biases and assumptions to ensure that the role of geography is accurately represented. This book chapter does just that and examines the role of GIS tools and methods in conflict analysis.
Introducing the Spatial Conflict Dynamics indicator of political violence
Walther O et al., 2020 | While conflict is known to vary in time in space, it remains a relatively understudied phenomenon. This article seeks to understand how the intensity and distribution of political violence can be understood in North and West Africa to demonstrate how the geography of conflict can change over time.
Sub‐National Violent Conflict Forecasts for Sub‐Saharan Africa, 2015‐2065, Using Climate‐Sensitive Models
Witmer F D W et al., 2017 | How will climate change impact conflict dynamics? This study develops climate-sensitive models to forecast violent conflict in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Spatial Analysis in Political Geography
Linke A and O’Loughlin J, 2016 | This study uses spatial analysis to understand spatial dependencies in aggregated violent events and public opinion in the North Caucasus of Russia.
Predicting Conflict in Space and Time
Weidmann N and Ward M, 2010 | How do geography and time influence political violence? This analysis demonstrates that both these variables are important in the prediction of future conflict, as exemplified in the case of Bosnia between 1992 and 1995.