About

Hacks for Humanity, sponsored by Project Humanities at Arizona State University (ASU), is a 36-hour hackathon for the social good, challenging participants to create technologies to address local and global issues. The finished products must embody these seven Humanity 101 principles: kindness, compassion, integrity, respect, empathy, forgiveness, and self-reflection. This annual event draws some 150-200 students, faculty, staff and community members, each with their individual talents and backgrounds of expertise. The event this year will take place from October 19-20, 2019.

2019 Tracks

Food

Family

Finances


Impact

Post-Hacks for Humanity Hackathon Progress and Impact 2017

”The momentum from Hacks for Humanity does not stop once the winning team claims their prize. Hacks for Humanity has generated significant change within the lives of several of our participants. Perhaps the best example of this event’s sheer transformative power has been demonstrated through the continuing success of our 2014 winning team, ARKHumanity, who created a system designed to identify specific tweets containing key phrases that are frequently used by people in crisis who risk self-harming. Since their group’s formation and victory at the Hacks for Humanity hackathon, they have gone on to win various social enterprise competitions, have participated in major conferences, and have launched their own business called HumanityX.  This team continues to lead the way in improving humanity through creative new technologies.“

– Dr. Neal A. Lester, Director, Project Humanities

“Participation from a diverse group of people in a platform such as Hacks for Humanity creates a paradigm shift in technology development, giving everyday people the power to co-build the ‘next big thing’ that may affect our lives.”

– Pat Pataranutaporn, inaugural hackathon participant, ASU Biology Major, and Humanity X co-founder

“It was a pleasure to meet you [Dr. Lester] and to attend Hacks for Humanity 2015. Thank you for all the support and idea sharing with my team and all the others. You maintained truly impressive energy, enthusiasm, and generosity throughout the entire marathon, and I appreciate it. Also, the Dickinson quote you recited to team 21 toward the close of the event was an uplifting and unexpected treat. I wish I could remember the exact quote, but after 30+ hours, my brain couldn’t hold any more information. On the upside, being unable to recall it allowed me the guilty pleasure of spending time online reviewing Dickinson’s work hoping to find it. I’m already thinking about ideas for future products/hackathons thanks to this. If there’s any way I can support future endeavors, please reach out.”

                -Paige Miller, 2016 Hacks for Humanity Participant