Mannheim-based research project selected as a finalist for international innovation summit
The Mannheim-based research project TRAPP, which aims to combat child trafficking using artificial intelligence, is one of 100 projects selected from around the world to be presented at the ‘Prototypes for Humanity Summit’ in Dubai this November. The event brings together innovative university projects with companies, public institutions and investors. Only three other German universities have qualified for the event with their projects.
Press release from 26 October 2026
Print version (PDF)
This text was translated from German by DeepL.
More than 1,200 universities worldwide submitted applications to take part. The organisers selected 100 finalists – including TRAPP, a research project led by social scientist Dr. Eirliani Abdul Rahman. She is supported by the Baden-Württemberg Stiftung through its Programme for International Academic Freedom and has been conducting research at the Mannheim Centre for European Social Research (MZES) at the University of Mannheim since March 2026. Her research work is also funded by the Chair of Social Data Science at the University Prof. Marc Ratkovic.
The ‘Prototypes for Humanity Summit’ will take place in Dubai from 16 to 22 November. The platform offers the selected teams the opportunity to present their projects to an international audience and to establish contacts with potential partners.
About the “Trafficking Risks: AI for Proactive Protection” (TRAPP) project
As part of her project, Abdul Rahman is using artificial intelligence to develop a tool designed to identify patterns of child trafficking in the Indian state of Odisha. In future, a scalable platform is set to consolidate fragmented data sets, visualise high-risk areas using heatmaps, and support the Women and Child Development of the involved State of Odisha with relevant interventions for household vulnerable to child trafficking. The aim is to identify particularly vulnerable families and communities at an early stage and to prevent child trafficking for the purposes of forced labour, forced marriage or sexual exploitation – in a more targeted manner.
Further information:
Prototypes for Humanity Summit
TRAPP research project
Press release on the research grant for Eirliani Abdul Rahman
Contact:
Dr. Eirliani Abdul Rahman(available for interviews in English)
Mannheim Centre for European Social Research (MZES)
University of Mannheim
Tel. +49 621 181-1996
E-mail: eirliani.abdul.rahmanuni-mannheim.de
Yvonne Kaul
Research Communications
University of Mannheim
E-mail: kauluni-mannheim.de