Back to search

NORGLOBAL2-Norge - global partner

Norwegian Centre for Humanitarian Studies: Research network on humanitarian efforts

Alternative title: Norsk senter for humanitære studier: Forskningsnettverk om humanitært arbeid

Awarded: NOK 6.8 mill.

There is a recognised need to understand and clarify the role of humanitarian assistance as part of broader international efforts to address global challenges, such as those identified in Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals. In light of increased demands for humanitarian assistance around the globe, the humanitarian system continues to undergo significant changes, including the role of new donors, new actors, innovation and new technology, different forms of expertise (including negotiation and diplomacy), as well as direct political and security challenges to the delivery of humanitarian aid. To address these changes and challenges, the Research Network on Humanitarian efforts (the network) was established in 2019, anchored within the Norwegian Centre for Humanitarian Studies (NCHS). The network has created a platform to connect existing knowledge and research and to facilitate exchange among researchers, practitioners, policy makers and the public, with the aim to enhance the quality of research and policy in addressing challenges in the humanitarian sector. During the last four years, the network has successfully facilitated collaboration among humanitarian researchers, both within Norway and internationally, and supported their policy and research dissemination activities. It has developed new arenas of information exchange and dialogue among researchers, policy makers, practitioners and the public. This has been achieved through an active website serving as a resource hub of research in the field (www.humanitarianstudies.no - which was fully redesigned in 2021), an innovative seminar series designed around different forms of research dissemination and input from policy makers and practitioners, and annual network conferences and meetings. The network has also provided expert advice and analysis for humanitarian actors, including to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The network has through its seminars, meetings and other activities highlighted topics such as humanitarian diplomacy and negotiations, education in humanitarian crises, resettlement of refugees as humanitarian protection, humanitarian consequences of climate change, the relationship between peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on humanitarian action, attacks on healthcare in conflicts, conflict-related sexual violence as a humanitarian concern, technology and artificial intelligence in humanitarian settings, and data sharing and protection. The network has also put the spotlight on different humanitarian situations across the globe, including the situation in Yemen, in the Sahel and elsewhere in Africa, the displacement from Venezuela and in the neighbouring countries, refugee protection in the Middle East, Libya and across the Mediterranean – and challenges arising in the EU borderlands, as well as the ongoing situation in Syria, the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan and the war in Ukraine. Through its dedicated seed funding mechanism, the network has been able to support and gather humanitarian scholars from a range of institutions around specific themes in smaller workshop settings, and disseminate research via different platforms, such as the 'Talking Humanitarianism' Podcast and NCHS paper series. The discussions and connections facilitated by the network have also led to the development of new research projects, including for example the ‘Red Lines and Grey Zones: Exploring the Ethics of Humanitarian Negotiation’ (PRIO), as well as the ‘Prioritizing the Displacement-Environment Nexus’ (CMI).

• The network has provided a platform for humanitarian researchers, both within Norway and internationally, to exchange knowledge and research, deepen network and intellectual partnerships, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and to identify areas for further research. • The network has brought together humanitarian researchers, practitioners and policy makers to enhance the quality of research and policy in addressing current challenges in the humanitarian sector (encouraging evidence-based/research-informed humanitarian policy and practice). • Provided a platform to gather expert advice and analysis for humanitarian actions, including the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. • It has served as a host for high-level personalities visiting Norway and the NMFA, arranging public events and seminar to shed light on their areas of work (eg. with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi and with UN Special advisor on solutions to internal displacement, Robert Piper). • The network has enhanced the dissemination and accessibility of humanitarian related research for a broad audience, particularly through communication via the network website, social media and regular newsletter. • Publicly available seminars and other events hosted by the network have enhanced public awareness and discussion of current humanitarian related issues, particularly those of relevance to Norway, and raised awareness of Norway’s role as a humanitarian actor.

There is a recognized need to understand and clarify the role of humanitarian aid as part of broader international efforts to address global challenges, such as those identified in Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals in particular. In light of increased demands for humanitarian assistance around the globe, the humanitarian system is undergoing profound changes, including the role of new donors, new actors, innovation and new technology, as well as direct political and security challenges to the delivery of humanitarian aid. To face the challenges these changes raise, while at the same time identifying how humanitarian aid can be delivered to affected populations, there is a need to connect existing knowledge and research, and create a network and platform for exchange among researchers, policy makers, practitioners and the public. The Norwegian Centre for Humanitarian Studies (NCHS), based on its established cooperation among Norwegian research environments, public agencies, humanitarian organisations and key international contacts, is establishing a network for such exchange of information and knowledge, and thereby enhance the quality of research and policy in addressing the current challenges in the humanitarian sector. The network facilitates collaboration among research projects associated with the network and support their policy and dissemination activities. Furthermore, the network will develop new arenas of information exchange and dialogue, among researchers, policy makers, practitioners and the public at-large. This is done through an active website serving as a resource hub on ongoing research in the field, the introduction of an infrastructure for virtual collaboration among the network partners, an innovative seminar series designed around different forms of research dissemination and input from policy makers and practitioners, and annual network conferences and meetings.

Funding scheme:

NORGLOBAL2-Norge - global partner