Z_GIS Annual Report 2013 is now online!

The Z_GIS Annual Report 2013 is now online! Get informed about our activities, events and projects in the area of research, education and capacity building.

Ready for Horizon2020

On its annual retreat, the Z_GIS division Integrated Spatial Analysis (ISA) got deeper insights into the scope and the various components of the recently launched Horizon2020 EU research programme. A comparative analysis showed a stimulating match between established research areas with programme priorities and topics currently called for. The interdisciplinary character of Z_GIS, our versatile methodological toolbox and the wide range of domain experience enable links to the majority of Societal Challenges, the Leadership Technologies ICT and Space, as well as mobility and training activities in the Excellence domain.

Launch of the Disaster Risk Reduction Information and Knowledge Management System for the Southern East Africa and Indian Ocean Region

Z_GIS established the online information platform together with COOPI to support knowledge exchange between different actors in Mozambique, Malawi and Madagascar. The web based tool comprises an e-library and a Geoportal, where different datasets on health and disaster risk reduction activities can be accessed. Next to COOPI, FAO and UN-HABITAT contributed to this project.

It has been funded through the Disaster Preparedness Program of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Office (DIPECHO) and was jointly implemented with the NGO COOPI.

Contact: Stefan Kienberger, Elisabeth Weinke

www.seadrr.org

PhD Career Day at University of Salzburg

On 29 November 2013 the first PhD Career day at the University of Salzburg was organized by the three FWF-funded Doctoral College’s “ICA”, “Imaging the mind” and “GIScience”.

More than 130 Doctoral candidates from the University of Salzburg used the opportunity to talk to leading scientists from Academia and industry and to representatives from funding authorities. Mission-critical questions for PhDs were discussed such as:

·         - What should a candidate observe during working on his / her PhD?

·        -  How to find a Postdoc position

·        -  What can be done after PhD is finished

Several prestigious speakers gave keynotes and answered such questions. 

Dr. Zinner – head of the Center for Doctoral Studies at the University of Vienna - gave insights about the Doctoral journey in terms of three different perspectives (student’s, supervisor’s and institution’s perspective). Dr. Golin from the scientific company in Hamburg gave an overview of figures and facts about the market in Europe and in particular in Germany. 

Dr. Zavarsky (Fulbright commission) and Dr. Grabner (FWF Austrian Science Fund) provided useful information in regards to individual scholarship programmes for PostDocs.

How to be successful after finishing the PhD was highlighted by representatives from the industry and clinical research (ASCINA, Ever Neuro Pharma, PMU). As a role-model, an University of Salzburg alumnus and currently Postdoc at the University of California presented her international experiences and her visions. She will return to Salzburg next year after various staging posts in Academia and Industry – the University of Salzburg seems to become more attractive internationally!

Trends in Open Geo|Government Data

The Austrian Academy of Sciences' Commission on Geographic Information Science on Nov 14 organized an event addressing backgrounds, practice and issues around Open Geo Data. Led by a wide ranging presentation of Jonathan Raper on 'Challenges for Geo-Infrastructure' arguing that SDI increasingly will be ad hoc aggregations of national, enterprise/commercial and open data services, six more short talks covered multiple aspects and experiences with open geo and government data.

Brigitte Lutz provided an excellent overview from an open government perspective, followed by BEV (NMA) chair Wernher Hoffmann highlighting difficulties with opening up cadastral and property management. Stefan Pawel from Linz Open Commons addressed the added value for communities and administration arising from open data policies, a view supported and illustrated by Wolfgang Jörg from ViennaGIS. Manfred Mittlboeck then discussed the need of SDIs for smart search based on semantic enablement, with Arnulf Christl from 'metaspatial.net' challenging participants to accept that sharing increases, not reduces digital assets.

J.Raper: Open Data Manifesto

Obviously the following lunch buffet as a non-digital asset did not follow this rule, but provided an opportunity for informal exchange, debate and engagement between different viewpoints. As a final step, Prof Georg Gartner moderated a wide ranging panel-and-plenary discussion on key topics around OGGD. Privacy issues received a lot of attention, essentially demonstrating that legal frameworks lag behind current practice and technologies. It was clearly acknowledged that the transition to open data policies can be considered a very substantial paradigm change, already well advanced across many domains. Supported by alternative business models the objectives of adding value, democratisation and innovation serve as common denominators to establish open geodata in public administration, business and academia.

More than 100 participants actively contributed through comments and discussion, highlighting the timeliness of the OGD debate and the relevance of ÖAW as a neutral platform joining different stakeholders. Presentations / slides are available from http://www.oeaw.ac.at/giscience/oggd