34 Information and Communications Technology to Support Research in Low-Resource Settings

Abstract

AbstractAny emergency research response requires continual communication and collaboration between people, organizations, and systems to meet dynamically evolving circumstances. This chapter will lay out the essentials for providing communications and information and communications technology (ICT) to a research response in a low-resource area. ICT needs are similar everywhere, but procurement, configuration, and operations are especially demanding tasks where ICT infrastructure is lacking and skilled personnel scarce. The key questions are how, when, and what technologies and tools to introduce, and how to balance overhead and running costs with operational efficiencies. Changes in program activities and in the roster of partner organizations can complicate matters in what may be a high-mortality outbreak with a steep learning curve. Response activities will at first depend largely on existing local infrastructure, supplemented by equipment the incoming team can bring. The team will also initially depend on the operational infrastructure of its primary local partner, which will influence the research program’s communications and decision-making style. As the response becomes more established, and centralized ICT support solidifies, the ICT infrastructure must be adapted as appropriate to the evolving needs of the collective research organization.