Finding sources for funding research can be a demanding task, and one that's not always successful. A new trend that's emerging out of the necessity to fund projects that have no traditional means of support is "crowdfunding." A panel at SpotOnLondon weighs the resulting apprehensions and benefits.

Millions of people are on the move today, in the biggest forced displacement since the Second World War. And unlike in decades past, new technologies are changing the narratives of their movement — both by reinforcing and extending borders, and acting as a lifeline for those trying to cross them. 

Crowdfunding the latest gizmo is one way to be an early adopter, but all you get out of it is a gadget. Crowdfunding a renewable energy project, on the other hand, could deliver clean energy to your home.