RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS

Advancing Academic Research & Collaboration

We engage leading academics globally to develop, exchange and publish research that addresses real-world challenges and industry innovation priorities.

How we do it

Short Papers Platform

Global open call inviting academic research, with selected papers published and shared with an international audience.

Research Partnerships

Connecting researchers with industry partners to advance research through real-world collaboration and application.

Awards

Each year, outstanding submissions are recognised for their real-world impact and innovation.

Explore last year’s selected projects  

Publications & Dissemination

Publishing selected research through an international academic publication to extend its reach and real-world impact.

Short Papers Platform

The Prototypes for Humanity Short Papers Platform provides a forum for professors from around the world to share research and engage in interdisciplinary dialogue, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, with a focus on academic research driving real-world impact. Selected papers are presented at the annual Dubai Future Solutions – Prototypes for Humanity Summit in November in Dubai before being published internationally.

Prototypes for Humanity and the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) have announced a new strategic partnership for the 2026 edition of the Short Papers Platform, to support research by professors addressing complex challenges, and offering tangible pathways to solutions. The 2026 edition invites academics across all institutions and disciplines to submit research addressing seven strategic themes, designed to reflect international research priorities and that are relevant to the city and to the fund.

2025 Conference Proceedings

Published with an ISBN and indexed for academic reference, the 2025 Conference Proceedings showcase the selected short papers presented through the 2025 Short Papers Platform.

The volume features fifty-six short papers addressing global and local research priorities across key themes, including health and wellbeing, environmental sustainability and climate action, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, artificial intelligence and augmented intelligence, socio-economic empowerment and innovation, and open and speculative themes that explore emerging and future-oriented challenges and solutions.

The collection reflects Prototypes for Humanity's mission to translate academic research into impactful solutions. Each chapter presents insights and innovations with tangible real-world relevance for researchers, practitioners, industry leaders, and policymakers, creating a lasting academic record of the research presented through the 2025 Short Papers Platform.

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