One Passion Project team is tackling how to turn new analytic methods for data on internally displaced persons (IDP) in conflict regions into actionable policy with their partner, The Linkage Project. Co-founded by Andrew Bergman and Toly Rinberg, doctoral students in applied physics at Harvard University and biophysics at Stanford University respectively, The Linkage Project uses analytics software to more accurately manage registration databases at IDP camps in the North Kivu Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
“We’re excited to work with public policy students,” Bergman said. “We want to turn the findings from our data into actionable policy, to bridge the gap between scientists like Toly and me and policymakers.”
Traveling in the DRC, Bergman and Rinberg learned from local aid workers about a mismatch between IDP camp registrations and the number of people actually living in camps. They spoke with aid workers who suspect that many registration databases are outdated and include people who have moved on to other camps or locations. Although this problem has proven very difficult to verify, quantifying its scale is very important, as the UN and aid organizations rely on these figures to allocate resources.
In response to what they learned, Bergman and Rinberg developed a record linkage algorithm that links registrations across camps in the eastern DRC. “Our goal is that this analytic tool help NGOs become more efficient and provide for more effective resource allocation across IDP camps,” emphasized Rinberg.
This software is currently being tested by the Norwegian Refugee Council in North Kivu Province. “Our solution to the problem of record linkage is a simple one that can be implemented more quickly, making use the wealth of data that has already been collected in the region,” commented Bergman.
Passion Project team members Meiko Boynton, Vu Giang, and Ursula Sanchez (all MPA ’16) will help contextualize the implementation of this software in the eastern DRC as well as any consequences, both intended and unintended, that may result from the use of this tool. “The use of technology can have a great impact on solving social problems,” Sanchez added. “For me, being part of the project is an invaluable opportunity to bridge the gap and help one of the most vulnerable populations in the world”.
The student team brings a variety of experience to The Linkage Project. Boynton has worked in the nonprofit sector for over eight years in various jobs with both local and international organizations in New York City. Sanchez joined CEU after working with the Comptrollers Office of Mexico City. Previously a daily reporter for one of the biggest newspapers in Vietnam, Vu has eight years of experience in journalism.
Leveraging the different perspectives of the Passion Project team, The Linkage Project hopes to make further progress in implementing their software in IDP camps. “We’re interested in how our algorithm fits into the workflow of an NGO,” said Rinberg. “We’re looking forward to seeing explicit policy proposals for NGOs from our Passion Project team.”