Research IT

Geographical Information Systems in Action

On World GIS Day, the Geographical Information Systems, Mapping and Earth Observation (GISMEO) community met to focus on GIS and showcase some applications at the University.

On Wednesday 20th November, the GIS, Mapping and Earth Observation (GISMEO) community hosted one of their first online events - GIS in Action. It was a great success, with interesting talks from our guests, and over 49 people attending!

The event began with an overview of GISMEO’s mission from Gail Millin-Chalabi, Project Manager in Research IT and a GISMEO Co-lead. She noted GISMEO aims to foster collaboration and make geospatial technologies accessible to all. Attendees learned about the community’s goals, ongoing projects, and how to get involved. She also introduced the steering group, which consists of:

  • James Tomlinson – GIS Technical Specialist – HUMS
  • Bill Ayres – Research Data Management Strategic Lead – UoM Library
  • Martin Parham – Lecturer in Disaster Management – HCRI, HUMS
  • Timothy Foster – Reader in Water-Food Sec, Director of Manchester Environmental Research Institute – Depart Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
  • David Schultz – Professor of Meteorology – Earth and Environmental Sciences
  • Angela Harris – Senior Lecturer in Remote Sensing - SEED
  • Johan Oldekop – Senior Lecturer in Environment and Development - SEED
  • Anna Hughes – Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography - SEED

Moving onto presentations, James Tomlinson delivered the main presentation followed by lightning talks by researches from across the University.

ArcGIS Online (AGOL) showcase – James Tomlinson
James Tomlinson, GIS Technical Specialist (HUMS), delivered a detailed presentation on the capabilities of ArcGIS Online (AGOL) and its diverse tools for data collection, team collaboration, and geospatial management. He highlighted key features such as Survey123, which allows for the creation of dynamic surveys for field data collection, and QuickCapture, an application designed for rapid, efficient data collection with minimal effort. James also showcased new AI-driven features integrated into AGOL, such as tools for automating surveys and translating responses, making data gathering even more streamlined and accessible.

Additionally, James demonstrated AGOL's coding tools for automating workflows and managing large-scale geospatial tasks, and discussed Workforce for ArcGIS, an application for managing teams and tracking tasks in the field, highlighting its role in enhancing collaboration, communication and safety within geospatial teams.

Lightning talks from AGOL Users

  • Olivia Bickerstaff, an undergraduate Geography student, shared how she expanded her GIS skills during a placement at the University of Florida. She went on to share her experience working on the UK Fire Danger Rating System (UK FDRS) on a summer internship, where she used StoryMaps for Stakeholder engagement in the Mourne Mountains.
  • Vicky Short, Change Communications Officer, shared how AGOL StoryMaps had been used for a well-being walk within her team. The Research Lifecycle Programme (RLP) team took to the streets of Manchester to photograph and map street art, leaving comments along the way via Survey123. This made the experience more fun and created an interactive StoryMap that could be shared with the rest of the team.
  • Dr. Richard Figueroa Alfaro, Geography Lecturer, discussed using AGOL in teaching and assessment, focusing on how he integrates AGOL into the Skills for Geographers (GEOG20621) Spatial Data Workshop. The workshop is split into 6 sessions, and the assessment incorporates StoryMaps, which students particularly enjoy as it allows creativity in assessment and has an interactive output, along with a write-up describing the maps they made.

Manchester Spatial survey results
Kalu Uka, Business Change Officer within the Research Lifecycle Programme, presented the survey results of the Manchester Spatial survey that has been distributed in the months prior. He noted that the GISMEO channel will be used as a key space in communicating important elements of this project to stakeholders.

Upcoming events
Kate announced several exciting upcoming activities, including:

  • Monthly GISMEO Drop-Ins - hosted by community leaders were also highlighted as ongoing opportunities for collaboration and support (more info here)
  • Earth Observation and Ecosystems (27th January): An event focusing on the intersection of Earth observation and ecosystems (sign up here - more info to come)

Looking ahead

Join the GISMEO members list here to keep up to date with what’s going on and to access the slides from the meeting.