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Taxonomising Resistance Technologies:
A Community-Led Digital Layer in Migration
What does it look like when technologies meant to facilitate human migration cater to the needs of people on the move? Our approach offers an alternative conception of building migration infrastructure: by bringing forth community value, and redefining what it means to enable self-determination for migrants.
Artwork from Jacob Lawrence's Migration Series
Where is most ResTech based out of?
Most ResTech initiatives are based out of Global North countries. Among them, the EU has a lot more systems due to the influx of forced migration into EU countries as a result on recurring crises in the Middle East-North Africa region.
Community Participation on a scale
Participation can manifest in varying degrees, as articulated in Sherry Arnstein’s Ladder for Citizen Participation. Most initiatives in our taxonomy fall under the ‘inform’ bucket, which indicates a certain inadequacy in considering public engagement and involvement as a part of developing technology for people on the move.
What stage of migration is most ResTech built for?
Most systems focus on building for integration efforts. Technologies built for the crisis stage are largely facilitated through familiar and widely-used social media platforms. This is due to an element of trust and familiarity in these platforms.
Origin countries of ResTech that operate globally
Technologies based out of Global North countries are much more likely to have global operations, but this is not the case with Global South countries. Factors affecting this could include closer proximity to funding channels and access to better technology.
Key Insights
Some of our key inferences from the taxonomy to unpack the ResTech ecosystem
Resources
What type of services do ResTech provide?
The predominance of ResTech in the Global North results in a wider range of services being covered there. However, the provision of essential services and employment during integration are where efforts are focused, indicating higher usage of commonly used social media during pre-departure and arrival.
What are the funding sources for ResTech?
ResTech across the Global North and Global South are highly dependent on donations, grants and private investments to sustain. The accessibility to larger funding pools promotes the innovation of more ResTech in the Global North regions.
How many ResTech are currently active?
ResTech tend to have shorter lifecycles as these platforms are created to address gaps in service provision during crises. However, majority initatives in the Global North still remain active due to the high influx of irregular migrants in this region, incentivising them to sustain operations.
Is there transparency in ResTech system architecture?
Most ResTech platforms remain close-ended, providing minimal information about system architecture.
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