CDU lecturer shares research at global Humanitarian Studies conference
The emergence of Humanitarian Studies as an academic field of scholarship was the topic of discussion for a Charles Darwin University (CDU) lecturer's presentations at a major international conference in Türkiye.
CDU Lecturer in Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management Dr Adriana A. Stibral shared her research at the 8th International Humanitarian Studies Association’s (IHSA) Conference in Istanbul, Türkiye in mid-October.
The conference, co-hosted by Istanbul's Marmara University , Norway's Chr. Michelsen Institute (CMI), the Turkish Red Crescent, and the Global Disaster Preparedness Center, brought together scholars and practitioners from across the globe.
Under the theme ‘Humanitarianism in Crisis: New Realities in Practices and Knowledges’, the conference explored how evolving crises, shifting power dynamics, and new forms of knowledge are reshaping humanitarian action.
Participants discussed pressing issues such as the effectiveness and ethics of humanitarian response, changing professional practices, and the need to reimagine humanitarianism in an increasingly crisis-prone world.
Dr Stibral delivered two well-received presentations based on her PhD research: ‘Humanitarian Studies and the professionalisation paradox: Aspirations, ambiguities, and alternatives’ and ‘Rethinking Humanitarian Studies: Integrating theory, practice, global perspectives and innovation.’
The contributions are timely, with sector-wide debates on professionalisation and humanitarian education demands.
Dr Stibral’s research critically examines the emergence of Humanitarian Studies as an academic field of scholarship and the contributions this nascent field is or should be making to skill and knowledge provision and research relevant to humanitarian aid, the humanitarian sector and humanitarianism more broadly.
“I feel very honoured having presented at this conference,” Dr Stibral said.
“The IHSA is an important platform that brings together scholars and practitioners from all over the world, providing the opportunity to critically reflect on and engage with current trends and key challenges the humanitarian community is grappling with.”
Humanitarian disasters are on the rise globally due to protracted conflicts, man-made and natural hazard induced emergencies and extreme weather events, resulting in growing humanitarian needs.
Forced displacement numbers have reached a record high of 122 million this year, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The rise in humanitarian crises translates to a greater demand for humanitarian aid and skilled humanitarian and disaster management personnel, a need that CDU’s unique Humanitarian, Emergency and Disaster Management Studies program is responding to.
CDU is one of the few Australian universities delivering a comprehensive suite of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in humanitarian-development and emergency and disaster management, thus making CDU a critical skill and education provider in those fields in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.