Faculty Advisor: Lecturer, International and Comparative Studies, University of Michigan

Research Practicum Introduction

We live in a world that is overwhelmed by humanitarian needs. From politics to products, humanitarianism has become a central consideration. But what does it really mean to provide aid to distant others?

This program introduces students to the basic principles and theories that inform humanitarian interventions. Weekly meetings will focus on readings, visits to organizational websites, and students’ projects. At the end of the program, students will have a conceptual framework they can apply to any humanitarian crisis in the future. 

We will study how the range of humanitarian actors has broadened to include the military, celebrities, and for-profit firms. We will also consider how, with the increase in security risks to humanitarians, the viability of long held principles such as neutrality is being questioned in favor of principles like solidarity. This seminar will challenge students to consider the ethical, political, and practical issues associated with saving lives and preserving the dignity of people affected by crisis and conflict.

Students will also learn general and subject-specific research and academic writing methods used in universities and scholarly publications. Students will focus on individual topics and generate their own work products upon completion of the program.

Final Deliverable

For the final paper, each student will analyze a humanitarian operation by utilizing the tools and conceptual framework from the course. The analysis will: a. articulate if the crisis was conventional or complex; b. describe the challenges that were encountered; c. interpret the extent to which the response adhered to humanitarian principles; d. identify instances in which humanitarian actors were operating in their own interests versus at the expense of the humanitarian victims and survivors.

Possible Topics For Final Project:

• How has the rise of complex emergencies in particular changed the provision of aid?

• What are the distinguishing features of effective humanitarian responses?

• What are the merits and drawbacks of growing celebrity involvement in humanitarian action?

• What are the merits and drawbacks of private and for profit businesses becoming involved in humanitarian action?

• Do new technologies like drones, AI, 3D printing stand to improve the speed and quality of humanitarian response?

• Do you think the news media has been a friend or foe of humanitarian interventions?

• Or other topics in this subject area that you are interested in, and that your professor approves after discussing it with you.

Program Detail

• Cohort Size: 3-5 students

• Duration: 12 weeks

• Workload: Around 4-5 hours per week (including class time and homework time)

• Target Students: 9-12th grade students who are interested in political science or anthropology, or planning a career in international affairs, government service or multilateral international institutions like the UN.