Ms. Erica Hagen, Director of Map Kibera Trust and GroundTruth Initiative, developed a framework and launched an international conversation guiding the act of mapping in vulnerable communities. The GeoEthics in Vulnerability Principles are part of a living document, currently open for comments.
Ms. Hagen on her project: “Today’s world of geospatial technology and data is evolving quickly. However, the people who stand to benefit most from improving technologies, including mapping, are instead increasingly left out of key conversations, opportunities, and developments that center around their lives and their data. This report seeks to outline some ways in which ethics should inform our mapping with and for vulnerable communities. I first summarize existing frameworks (such as responsible data) which are relevant to ethical mapping, then look at where geo-data may need its own framing. I propose both a draft framework for ethical mapping with vulnerable populations and areas for further discussion. This is a draft and therefore needs YOUR feedback! Please help by sending comments to info@ethicalgeo.org.”