Abstract: This paper provides a brief history of recent activity fostered by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) that has lead to ongoing discussion, investigation, analysis and community building around an area being called “Humanitarian Service Science and Engineering” (HSS&E). HSS&E is an extension of market-based “service science” into humanitarian and government service areas where there is a less clear and more complex “customer/provider” relationship; where criteria for optimization extend beyond single, relatively straightforward criteria such as efficiency or cost to include numerous, often competing goals involving complex areas such as politics, social justice and values; and where fundamental infrastructure such as power, transportation and communication cannot be assumed. HSS&E explores the applicability of existing modeling methodologies to this expanded, more complex environment of service science and engineering, and in doing so has identified the need for an integration of qualitative and quantitative methodologies beyond that which currently exists.
