Regulation and the digital welfare state: transformations of crisis response in Lebanon

Challenges in emergency contexts, including systemic problems in the humanitarian sector, require dedicated labour to carry out efforts on the ground. Jenna focuses on crisis response in Lebanon to unpack technological and regulatory transformations in humanitarian systems.

Investigating two distinct but intertwined aid systems in the nation - digistised cash-based assistance (e-cards) and emergency response to the Beirut Port explosion - Jenna's doctoral research answers the following question: in light of recognised critiques of humanitarian efforts, how do actors on the ground work to ensure the viability of humanitarian interventions?

Given the transnational nature of humanitarian response, her findings are informed by a multi-sited ethnography comprised of participant observations and interviews across North America, Europe, and the Middle East. By focusing on the experiences and adaptation strategies of humanitarian employees, refugees, and impoverished residents, she reveals forms of overlooked labour and "repair work" (Steve Jackson, 2014) that are necessary to overcome breakdown in aid interventions.

She draws upon regulatory governance, feminist techno-science, and critical humanitarianism literatures to highlight the relationship between social inequality, regulation, and digitised "solutions" in humanitarian reform and aid delivery.

This seminar is Jenna's final presentation of her doctoral candidature.

About the speaker

Jenna Imad Harb is a PhD candidate and member of the Justice and Technoscience Lab at the ANU School of Regulation and Global Governance. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies and Business, as well as a Master's degree in Sociology-both from the University of Waterloo.

Jenna's research examines the intersections of regulation, digital technologies, and crisis response, with particular focus on social justice and the experiences of marginalised groups. She has published in areas of protest surveillance, policing technologies, anti-sexual violence technologies and data protection, and financialised welfare surveillance.

COVID protocols

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This seminar presentation will be in-person only.

If you require accessibility accommodations or a visitor Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan please email regnet.communications@anu.edu.au.

Image credit: Mural art in Lebanon photographed and supplied by Jenna Harb.