For 1 - 4 students, DIGHEL, PROSA, or DESIGN, or working together as a group and writing their thesis in pairs or individually
Advances in AI and predictive modelling combining climate and health data offers opportunities for improving the management of health systems. For instance, by offering forecasts on extreme weather conditions and the incidence of vector- and water-borne diseases like malaria, dengue and cholera, health facilities, districts, or regions can improve their planning on the distribution of vaccines, medical personnel, or making preventative actions against floods.
But new or better data and tools do not automatically translate into better management and planning. Health management is a complex endeavor, and whether data leads to useful action depends on a wide range of systemic factors such as capacity, roles, routines, social arenas, accountability, mandates, resources, and so on. Thus, while some health facilities, districts, regions, and countries are successful in making use of data to improve health management, others are not.
In this project, a set of students will explore the link between climate health data and tools, and improved health management. Leaning on concepts and methods of systems thinking, the students will seek to understand what characterizes a successful data-driven health facility and where and how digital tools and data can best contribute. There can be opportunities to engage in prototyping, vibe-coding, and testing tools and other ideas in real-world settings.
The project is part of the University of Oslo’s HISP Centre, which develops and supports DHIS2, one of the most widely used health management information software globally, and our large initiative on climate and health, exploring how climate and health data can be combined to strengthen health systems and decision-making. The student’s projects hence have the potential for significant real-world impact.
The project can involve
- understanding what is required for data and digital tools to have a meaningful impact on health management
- prototype, test concrete tools that can support health facilities, districts, or regions- in other words, experimenting with how to design and equip a “data-driven health facility”
- working closely with the climate health team at HISP UiO
- fieldwork in countries such as Mozambique, Ethiopia, or Tanzania.
- study and compare Norwegian cases
Students on this project will be part of a larger lab - the «HISP outcome-oriented innovation and development lab.» In the lab, we will explore concepts and methods and engage in activities that are relevant across master projects. With these shared activities, we seek to strengthen the relevance, quality, and impact of the projects and master’s theses and ensure that the knowledge developed is shared and made relevant to the larger HISP community and beyond.