Social Science: Saving Lives

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Chanelcherie DeMello | Julianne Ivany, Human Terrain Analysis Team-South social scientist, and Farida Samano, women’s initiatives military advisor, discusses the opportunities for women and young girls in Iraq during the team’s, Sept. 18, area assessment, women’s initiatives and education analysis mission.  

BASRA, IRAQ

09.18.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Chanelcherie DeMello 

305th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

BASRA, Iraq – The Human Terrain Analysis Team-South assessed an area within the Basra province while conducting research in women’s initiatives and education, Sept. 18.

HTAT-S, birthed from a larger organization called the Human Terrain System, has been stationed in Basra since 2008. The team’s overall mission is to assist United States Division-South commanders by providing insight into the population and its culture in order to enhance operational effectiveness and reduce civilian and military conflict.

“We talk to the people in the community, the regular guy, the average Joe,” said Dr. David Ronan, HTAT-S team leader and 32-year Army veteran.

“We try to keep our finger on the pulse of the population,” said Julianne Ivany, HTAT-S’ Social Scientist.

The American Anthropological Association published a statement opposing HTS and its teams denouncing the program in October 2007 with concerns that it could lead to compromise of ethics, endangerment of research subjects and disgrace to anthropology as an academic discipline.

Conversely, the mission provided no proof to the concept that the Iraqis beliefs were bargained or threatened.

As HTAT-S visited the towns of Basra, they collected valuable data by asking simple questions such as, “What opportunities do women of Iraq have today?” and “How do you think we can help bring better education to your area?”

“The division needs to know what people on the streets are thinking, feeling and doing,” said Ivany. “It’s fascinating to talk to local Iraqis; there is so much value in every person’s story.”

HTAT-S does a lot of research that most U.S. Army soldiers aren’t trained to do, said Lt. Col. Michael Parr, USD-S deputy effects coordinator. They facilitate ways to improve what is currently going on in Iraq and what we could do to help the people of Iraq.

For HTAT-S, it’s not just about data collection, it’s about making others understand the big picture; it’s about getting to know new people and having moments where in the context of a relationship you can connect on a very human level, Ronan said.

The greatest satisfaction comes when we have a really good mission from start to finish, Ivany said. When we go out and get really good interviews and our reports and briefs all come together to reflect a positive effect.

“Team Effects couldn’t do what we do and the division couldn’t do what they do if it wasn’t for their input and analysis,” said Parr. “HTAT-S is a huge asset to our team.”

While the HTS program is criticized as being “mercenary anthropology” that exploits social science for political gain, Ronan and his team believes that they are ultimately saving lives, because in the end it prevents a lot of damage and creates clear understanding to alleviate a lot of fear.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2010
• Date Posted: 09.23.2010 09:24
• Story ID: 56830
• Location: BASRA, IQ