Human Rights Student Rielle Miller Attends Digital Backpacks Conference in Halifax

Fri. Oct. 20, 2023

Rielle Miller, a fourth-year Human Rights student, recently attended the Digital Backpacks Conference, hosted by Dalhousie University, with Global College Executive Director and Acting Director of the Human Rights Program, Dr. Shauna Labman.

This fall, Dalhousie University hosted an interdisciplinary conference to explore utilizing technology for refugee children and families in order to maintain control over personal documents. Critical documents such as birth certificates, passports, health records, and education transcripts are paramount to individual identity. This two-day, intense conference worked to approach the problem of portable identity records, addressing both the challenges and potential of technology to provide secure access to such documents.

The conference was multidisciplinary in nature, which is critical when considering the nuances of technology and ethics. Discussion and contribution is needed from software developers, computer scientists, legal professionals, policy makers, and healthcare officials. Dalhousie graciously hosted and acted as a facilitator for such vital dialogues.

Throughout my degree, I have focused my research on analyzing the intersection between digital technology and human rights. As an emerging issue, oftentimes there are limited courses available to address this niche within the University. Additionally, some of the most common courses that are available are funneled through the computer science department, focusing on a hard science approach. The beauty of this conference was that both voices from the hard sciences and voices from the humanities were present. The chance to be exposed to such a collaboration between disciplines, in the exact field I am looking to pursue, expanded my understanding of possibilities post-graduation.

The opportunity to perceive a glimpse in the real world, practical conversations ongoing about technology and human rights provided me with a sense of excitement. Additionally, the chance to build on my understanding of professionalism, collaboration, and various potential careers was incredibly important at this stage in my degree and academic career. The Global College provided me with an incredible opportunity and has nourished and supported my interests for the past four years. It was an incredible honour to spend time with Global College Executive Director Dr. Shauna Labman, enhance my learning about the convergence of technology and human rights, and to have met so many brilliant professionals.