Understanding the impacts of digital design and fabrication projects in resource constrained settings for delivering humanitarian and development aid
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Engineering
Abstract
Research background
The emergence of new digital fabrication tools is radically changing the way products are designed and manufactured. Recently the humanitarian and development sector has become interested in how digital fabrication tools - 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC mills - can help to address the world's most pressing problems. The benefits of these technologies have been widely reported in the context of high-resource settings, however there is little understanding about their use in more resource constrained settings.
Objectives
The proposed research seeks to understand how organisations are using digital design and fabrication tools in low-resource settings to address some of the most urgent challenges.
It aims to:
(i) describe how organisations use digital design and fabrication tools to solve humanitarian and development problems in low-resource settings
(ii) explore the challenges and enablers of using digital design and fabrication tools in low-resource settings and,
(iii) to evaluate the drivers of socially sustainable design when using digital design and fabrication tools in low-resource settings.
Approach
So far, an exploratory study has been conducted consisting of a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with expert practitioners. The results have led to the development of an initial framework to identify the benefits, challenges and enablers of using digital design and fabrication tools in low-resource settings. The study highlighted a lack of understanding about the social sustainability of digital design and fabrication led interventions.
To address this, the next phase of research will evaluate the short-term and long-term impacts of using digital design and fabrication tools in the humanitarian and development sector. It is intended to conduct in-depth longitudinal case studies across a small number of projects that are using digital fabrication tools in humanitarian and development projects in the medical sector.
Case studies will capture different stakeholder perspectives, including the aid givers (NGOs, research or government organisations) and the beneficiaries.
Novel content
For the first time, this research explores how digital design and fabrication is being used in low-resource settings to address humanitarian and development challenges. This research considers the role of innovative production processes (a EPSRC priority) in resource constrained environments. The research is also consistent with the EPSRC's priority on new digital ventures as it explores the interface between digital technology and society.
The emergence of new digital fabrication tools is radically changing the way products are designed and manufactured. Recently the humanitarian and development sector has become interested in how digital fabrication tools - 3D printers, laser cutters and CNC mills - can help to address the world's most pressing problems. The benefits of these technologies have been widely reported in the context of high-resource settings, however there is little understanding about their use in more resource constrained settings.
Objectives
The proposed research seeks to understand how organisations are using digital design and fabrication tools in low-resource settings to address some of the most urgent challenges.
It aims to:
(i) describe how organisations use digital design and fabrication tools to solve humanitarian and development problems in low-resource settings
(ii) explore the challenges and enablers of using digital design and fabrication tools in low-resource settings and,
(iii) to evaluate the drivers of socially sustainable design when using digital design and fabrication tools in low-resource settings.
Approach
So far, an exploratory study has been conducted consisting of a systematic literature review and semi-structured interviews with expert practitioners. The results have led to the development of an initial framework to identify the benefits, challenges and enablers of using digital design and fabrication tools in low-resource settings. The study highlighted a lack of understanding about the social sustainability of digital design and fabrication led interventions.
To address this, the next phase of research will evaluate the short-term and long-term impacts of using digital design and fabrication tools in the humanitarian and development sector. It is intended to conduct in-depth longitudinal case studies across a small number of projects that are using digital fabrication tools in humanitarian and development projects in the medical sector.
Case studies will capture different stakeholder perspectives, including the aid givers (NGOs, research or government organisations) and the beneficiaries.
Novel content
For the first time, this research explores how digital design and fabrication is being used in low-resource settings to address humanitarian and development challenges. This research considers the role of innovative production processes (a EPSRC priority) in resource constrained environments. The research is also consistent with the EPSRC's priority on new digital ventures as it explores the interface between digital technology and society.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| James Moultrie (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Lucia Corsini (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509620/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2022 | |||
| 1741851 | Studentship | EP/N509620/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/03/2020 | Lucia Corsini |
| Description | Context: The demand for humanitarian and development aid has risen to an unprecedented level. With an urgent need for new solutions, the aid sector has started turning to digital fabrication (3D printing, laser cutting and computer numerical control (CNC) milling). Collectively, these initiatives are referred to as Digital Fabrication for Development (DF4D). It is commonly believed that DF4D can support more low-cost, appropriate and localised forms of production in the Global South. Problem: Despite rhetoric about the transformative potential of DF4D, there is concern that technology projects in the aid sector have historically failed to create lasting impact. It is put forward that social sustainability is currently lacking and that this is limiting the success of DF4D. Despite recognition that social sustainability is the foundation for sustainable development, it is a challenging concept that is often neglected in mainstream sustainability research. In addition, the role of design in promoting social sustainability has not been well understood. Until this problem is addressed, it is believed that DF4D will not succeed in creating the social impact it desires. Research aim: To investigate how design can promote social sustainability in DF4D. Methodology: This thesis follows a pragmatic research paradigm. First, an exploratory study is conducted with fourteen case studies to validate that social sustainability is currently lacking in DF4D. Building on these findings, the main study is conducted with three case studies: a 3D printed otoscope in Nepal; a digitally fabricated prosthesis in India; and, a digital fabricated suction pump machine in Kenya. The main study diverges in two directions, with the first part focusing on an analytical approach and the second part taking a critical systems approach. In the analytical approach, thematic coding of case study data is used to identify the key principles of Design for Social Sustainability in DF4D. In the critical systems approach, Actor-Network Theory is used to investigate the networks of DF4D projects. Results: The analytical approach results in a normative framework to support Design for Social Sustainability in DF4D. It offers practical guidelines that are relevant in project planning and evaluation. The framework highlights the need for radical, systems-focused solutions. It reveals that design can trigger social sustainability at product, process and paradigm levels. The critical systems approach explores an interpretative version of Design for Social Sustainability. It supports the development of an initial toolkit that allows actors to collaboratively map their own networks during ongoing projects. Network analysis of the case studies clarifies the linkage between participation and Design for Social Sustainability. Reciprocity is highlighted as a key network metric that reveals (in)equitable relationships. The results of the analytical and critical systems approaches are compared to identify their complementary insights. It is put forward that Design for Social Sustainability in DF4D demands several shifts in practice from: products to capabilities; exogenous to endogenous development; passive to active actors; quick fixes to open-ended solutions; and, one-off projects to scalable interventions. It is argued that Design for Social Sustainability also has the potential to shape sustainability transitions beyond the project level. Theoretical implications: Synthesis of fragmented knowledge on Design for Social Sustainability and identification of its key principles in the DF4D context. Practical implications: The development of a practical framework and an initial toolkit that can support practitioners in DF4D to develop more socially sustainable solutions. Methodological implications: Explanation of how and why analytical and critical systems approaches can provide complementary insights for exploring complex phenomena. |
| Exploitation Route | This research has led to the development of a practical framework and an initial toolkit that can support practitioners in DF4D to develop more socially sustainable solutions. |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
| Description | This research has been used to support localised production of PPE during the coronavirus pandemic using digital fabrication. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
| Sector | Healthcare |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | The role of industrial digitalisation in post-Covid-19 manufacturing recovery, diversification and resilience |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| URL | https://www.ciip.group.cam.ac.uk/reports-and-articles/role-industrial-digitalisation-post-covid-19-m... |
| Description | EPSRC conference fund |
| Amount | £1,308 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2018 |
| End | 05/2018 |
| Description | EPSRC conference fund |
| Amount | £1,500 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2017 |
| End | 08/2017 |
| Description | EPSRC conference fund |
| Amount | £1,134 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2018 |
| End | 07/2018 |
| Description | Gonville and Caius Travel Award |
| Amount | £300 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2017 |
| End | 08/2017 |
| Description | Gonville and Caius Travel Award |
| Amount | £400 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2018 |
| End | 05/2018 |
| Description | Rapid response to crisis using digital fabrication in Ethiopia |
| Amount | £20,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Cambridge-Africa Alborada Trust |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 07/2020 |
| End | 07/2021 |
| Description | Rapid response to the COVID-19 crisis using digital fabrication in Malawi |
| Amount | £22,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Cambridge-Africa Alborada Trust |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2020 |
| End | 05/2021 |
| Description | University of Cambridge School of Technology Field Work Fund |
| Amount | £6,775 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 04/2018 |
| End | 05/2018 |
| Description | University of Cambridge School of Technology Field Work Fund |
| Amount | £1,060 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Cambridge |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 11/2018 |
| End | 12/2018 |
| Title | Digital fabrication of PPE during covid-19 pandemic |
| Description | Digital fabrication of face shields during covid-19 pandemic. Funded by Cambridge-Africa fund. |
| Type | Support Tool - For Medical Intervention |
| Current Stage Of Development | Small-scale adoption |
| Year Development Stage Completed | 2020 |
| Development Status | Closed |
| Impact | - stop gap solution during covid-19 pandemic - nurturing innovation culture - development of digital fabrication ecosystem |
| URL | https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/makerspace |