The Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute (HCRI) at Manchester University (see www.hcri.ac.uk) is run by an ex-president of Medicines Sans Frontieres, Dr Rony Brauman, and “is inspired by the need to conduct rigorous, in-depth research and analysis on the impact and outcomes of contemporary and historical crises. This programme is driven by a desire to inform and support policy and decision makers, to optimise joint working between partner organisations, and to foster increased accountability within a knowledge gathering framework. Bringing together the disciplines of medicine and the humanities to achieve these aims, the HCRI will facilitate improvements in crisis response on a global scale whilst providing a much needed centre of excellence for all concerned with emergencies and conflicts.”
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“There is a pressing need to engage with the fundamental knowledge that drives and informs humanitarian practices. By bringing together different disciplines, HCRI is able to analyse ways of knowing, doing, and the boundaries of humanitarian action, combining medical, historical, political and cultural depth with practice-based perspectives on humanitarian interventions. Our proposed programme of research allows us to explore the circumstances in which knowledge has been generated, and by whom; how such knowledge has been applied and by whom; and with what consequences for future action.”
Although not very relevant to HAC science, the HCRI may have some relevance to future research projects with Rescue Global. My cousin, Adele Aubrey, has just started work in a managerial role at the HCRI. Thus, I can broker a meeting between HCRI and Orchidians if there is any interest.