01 Mar 2021

techUK's Geospatial Data Week!

This week techUK members are coming together to envision a future powered by Geospatial intelligence for the UK. You can read latest news and insights below

This week techUK is envisioning a future powered by Geospatial intelligence for the UK.

Between 01-05 March we will be bringing you news, views and insights from the technology sector on what Geospatial means to the UK’s society and economy. We will be identifying, exploring and making the case for greater use of location-based intelligence (across both public and private sector); reviewing the role of the technology sector in driving this forward, and discussing potential challenges that may hold the UK’s back from barriers to the UK harnessing the power of Geospatial – such as data access, skills, and public/private sector collaboration.

We will also be hosting the online event Place-based innovation and building smarter communities with geospatial data: Giving power to place on Thursday 04 March which you can still register for here.

We will publish insights to this page as they go live so please check back regularly for the most up to date information!

Monday – What does Geospatial data mean for the tech sector?

We will kick-off techUK’s Geospatial Data campaign week by exploring the role the technology sector will play in pushing forward location-based intelligence in the UK. Geospatial data is already being widely used across different products and services. However, we believe the technology sector can help drive innovation by navigating adoption and deployment of Geospatial alongside emerging technologies such as AI and Digital Twins. Industry experts will showcase why now is the time for the tech sector to champion the huge potential that is Geospatial Data.

Geospatial data - more than just maps David Pegg, Director Consulting Services, CGI
Why 2021 is the year to start doing Geospatial (if you're not already) Richard Duffield, Vice Chair, AGI
It’s time to talk about location Baz Lokat, Senior Consultant, GeoPlace
What does Geospatial data mean for the tech sector? Sophie Stouki Group Head of GIS, Costain Ltd
Geospatial: Moving from Maps to Machine Learning Nabil Lodey, CEO Envitia
How language can influence user engagement and unlock the value of location data? Ashley Stewart, Senior Consultant, Optimat

Tuesday – Data frameworks and ethics

The Geospatial Commission highlighted access to data as one of their four key missions for their 2020-2025 strategy, with improved access to better location data and investing into quality of location data quality accelerating adoption of Geospatial technologies. On the second day of techUK’s Geospatial Data campaign, we will hear from the technology sector how to navigate some of the core issues around access and ethics.

A Practical Look at the Ethics of Geospatial Data World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
Who owns Geospatial Data? Nick Fitzpatrick, Manager, Frontier Economics
Powering the world with Geospatial by integrating standards and innovation Dr. Nadine Alameh, CEO, The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC)
Will Data Sharing Underpin The Future Of Sustainability? Carly Morris, Head of Geovation
What is “responsible practice” with Geospatial Data? Ben Hawes, Engagement Director, the Benchmark Initative

Wednesday – Geospatial Data skills

On day three of the Geospatial Data Campaign Week, techUK will navigate what the future landscape of geospatial data skills will hold, and how we can effectively prepare the next generation of experts to have the necessary skillset to drive forward new and innovative use cases of Geospatial Data. We will address how to develop geospatial intelligence teams that can harness the quantitative skills in data management, and how to also understand the real-world impact of this data. Finally, we will look at opening access to Geospatial skills as part of a greater push towards digital skills of the future.

The importance of building Geospatial and data science skills Charlton Bland, Geospatial Skills & Development Manager, Ordnance Survey
Driving Geospatial Data skills Nimmi Patel, Policy Manager for Skills, Talent & Diversity, techUK
Tackling the Digital Skills shortfall Sheila Flavell CBE, Chief Operating Officer, FDM Group
Can Perseverance provide rocket boosters for geospatial skills and knowledge? Jason Sawle – Head of Education at Esri UK

Thursday – Geospatial Data and building local communities: The case for place-based innovation

We are seeing a “place-based approach” to public service transformation and delivery starting to take root across local government services. Public services have been tirelessly working together with community groups, emergency services, industry partners and many others across the place to meet the needs of the most vulnerable especially during the global pandemic.This day of the campaign week will explore the role of Geospatial intelligence to help solve common challenges and improve outcomes tailored to different communities

Event: Place-based innovation and building smarter communities with geospatial data: Giving power to place

Geo-Designing the future of place Stephen Croney, Esri UK
GIS and Land-Use Planning for Improved Design Making Katie Dawson, GIS Analyst at Costain
Smart community platforms can help us build back better Pascal Coulon, Director Consulting Expert at CGI
Authoritive Geospatial Data and Digital Twins - Denmark in 3D Phillip Ridley 1Spatial
West Yorkshire Councils collaboration with the emergency services is leading to better quality location data Simon Bailey, Strategic Relationship Manager @simonbearbailey and Gayle Gander, Head of Marketing @gaylegander
Geospatial Data transforming the UK's approach to transportation Adam Graham, Chief Product Officer, one.network
How geospatial data is redefining participatory democracy Ally Stuart, Product Manager, Delib and Dani Topaz, Content Editor, Delib
Why ‘where’ is not enough Andrew Loveless, Chief Revenue Officer at Gaist

Friday – Geo4Good

On the final day of techUK’s Geospatial Data campaign week, we will envision a future where geospatial data can be used for conservation, climate change, social justice and to empower people to better understand their communities. We shall showcase the range of which geospatial intelligence can be used for the common good if the Geospatial Data ecosystem works together to drive innovation. We will also use the final day of the campaign week to explore the huge potential of new and innovative Geospatial technologies for a future driven by Geospatial intelligence.

Health takes first place, thanks to the UPRN Aamenah Vaid, Research and Communications Coordinator at GeoPlace
Geospatial Technology, behind the scenes getting the Blue Dot to the Blue Lights Ed Parsons, Geospatial Technologist, Google
The (Geospatial) Challenge James Cutler, CEO, Locatum
To make informed business decisions faster, tap the power of Geographic Data Alan Moore, CEO, ThinkWhere
Saving Nature One Map at a Time – The role of Geospatial Data in conservation projects around the world Harriet Gwilt, Customer Success Manager, Esri UK
Geospatial solutions to future problems Anna Kotlabova, Digital Content Marketing Manager, WatchKeeper
WebVMT: Making Geotagged Video More Accessible Rob Smith, AwayTeam
The Role of Geospatial Intelligence in Delivering Positive Change Luca Budello, Geospatial Lead at KTN

Insights will be announced on the day and linked here. You can keep up to date with latest views on our twitter @techUK

Laura Foster

Associate Director - Technology and Innovation, techUK

Laura is techUK’s Associate Director for Technology and Innovation.

She supports the application and expansion of emerging technologies, including Quantum Computing, High-Performance Computing, AR/VR/XR and Edge technologies, across the UK. As part of this, she works alongside techUK members and UK Government to champion long-term and sustainable innovation policy that will ensure the UK is a pioneer in science and technology

Before joining techUK, Laura worked internationally as a conference researcher and producer covering enterprise adoption of emerging technologies. This included being part of the strategic team at London Tech Week.

Laura has a degree in History (BA Hons) from Durham University, focussing on regional social history. Outside of work she loves reading, travelling and supporting rugby team St. Helens, where she is from.