“There’s (Not) an App for That”: Taking a Hard Look at the “App-ification” of Migration and the “Need” for New Technologies

By Madison Chapman, under the supervision of Kim Wilson

Practitioners, advocates and writers often underscore the link between migration and technology. This connection, they claim, promotes “access to information, finance… [and] social networks” that enhances “autonomy and self-reliance”. Some migrants have developed applications to support integration in what some call the “app-ification of migration” or “Migrant Tech.” Yet it has been humanitarian and development agencies that have helmed the push for Migrant Tech. These entities have embraced technology to innovate solutions for specific problems encountered in migration from developing custom apps to using mobile money for cash aid.


For questions, please reach out to Professor Kimberley Wilson at Kimberley.Wilson@tufts.edu.

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