Hamad Bin Khalifa University ‘s (HBKU) Qatar Computing Research Institute (QCRI), and the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UNDPPA) convened a design lab, entitled “E-Analytics.” Group of collaborators including UN political analysts, computer scientists, journalists, designers participated wherein they focused on re-purposing new technologies for preventing conflicts and building sustainable peace processes and resilient societies.
QCRI Executive Director, Dr. Ahmed Elmagarmid said: “We are excited to bring the UNDPPA Innovation Cell and our pool of experts back to Doha for the second time, especially since the pandemic separated us from our colleagues for almost two years. The collaboration between QCRI and the UNDPPA has helped us develop solutions for challenging problems in the field of peace. For example, with the ‘Diplomatic Pulse’ search engine, any user can analyse foreign ministry statements rapidly, saving precious time whenever a crisis breaks. This demonstrates the benefit of having specialists from different fields join forces.”
This is the fifth E-Analytics gathering, and “this year has been truly exceptional,” disclosed UNDPPA Innovation Cell in the Policy and Mediation Division Cell Lead, Martin Waehlisch. He added: “We had over 300 applications for just around 30 seats. The selection process was difficult, as the level of expertise was outstanding. This year’s lab has shown again just how much innovation potential the UN has; Doha is a perfect place to share, develop, and expand ideas into real innovation.”
Diving deep into topics such as social media analysis, open-source investigations, natural language processing, and geospatial analysis, the course enhances core analytical skills. While this year, the pandemic placed unprecedented constraints on the organisers, they adapted in response. UNDPPA UN Innovation Cell in the Policy and Mediation Division Cell Co-leader, Daanish Masood Alavi disclosed: “This year we tried a hybrid structure for the course, doing deep dives on course topics virtually and before convening our peers for an in-person lab to stress test and iterate actual projects that harness innovation for peace.”
QCRI Social Computing Group Research Director, Dr. Ingmar Weber, Research Director said: “Our vision at HBKU is to be an innovation-based, entrepreneurial university leading in solving critical challenges facing the world. This gathering offers an opportunity to do precisely that.”
