This 2-unit workshop focuses on the complex field of disaster communications with a necessary introduction to the larger field of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR). It will include Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), Socio-Technical Information Operations (STIO), as well as reviewing observations and lessons learned from the instructor’s participation in numerous recent disasters and crises. The workshop will involve hands-on lab work with wireless networking equipment (to learn how to rebuild degraded ICT infrastructure in rapid fashion using Hastily Formed Networks (HFNs) as well as learning how these HFNs are typically used in disaster scenarios by the international humanitarian community (IHC).

Specifically, this workshop will include examples of how a multi-agency team conducts the creation of, participation in, and development of new techniques, tactics, and procedures for the analysis of information flows concerning early responders (to include military) via exercises and operations. The focus will be on the three layers of socio-technical operations: the technical layer (ICT infrastructure); on-the-ground operations; and the socio-technical innovation layer, where information is developed, used, constructed / deconstructed and shared. Guest lectures from first-responders in the IHC community in the private sector, government and/or NGOs will help students understand the various needs and constraints of each community.

A case study and student feedback on readings will be used as part of the learning process and will comprise 40% of the grade. Active participation will account for the other 40%. An 8-page (2,000 word) thought-piece on a select topic from the course will comprise 20%.