EuroSDR Award for best geoinformation science PhD thesis

Since 2016, EuroSDR has recognised contemporary PhD theses that have significantly contributed to the development of geoinformation science in the context of National Mapping and Cadastral Agencies (NMCAs). To enhance collaboration between European academia and NMCAs, as well as to engage young scientists in its research endeavours, EuroSDR is pleased to announce its 2018 competition.

To be eligible, a PhD thesis should have been successfully defended in the period from January 2017 to August 2018. The PhD topic should be related to one or more of the research areas covered by the EuroSDR commissions (see http://www.eurosdr.net). The call is restricted to applicants that completed their PhD study in Europe.

Applications should consist of:

• A cover letter describing the main contribution/impact of the research contained in the thesis from a NMCA perspective (up to 300 words in English);
• A PDF copy of the successfully defended thesis (in any European language);
• An extended abstract of the thesis (1 000 – 1 500 words in English);
• A short video presentation describing the research of the thesis (maximum 3 minutes in English);
• A certificate evidencing the date of the successful PhD defence;
• Independent reviews of the thesis (if available, for example from the thesis examiners);
• Curriculum Vitae of the applicant.

All application material must be sent to the EuroSDR secretariat (eurosdr@kuleuven.be) to arrive no later than 31^st August, 2018.

EuroGeographics highlights key role of European NMCAs at GGIM8

European NMCAs have an important role to play in UN-GGIM and, as their membership association, EuroGeographics is committed to ensuring their distinctive voice and interests are heard.
 
Earlier this month, we were pleased to participate in GGIM8 in New York where we provided a collective voice for members. 
 
Secretary General and Executive Director, Mick Cory made a series of interventions highlighting members’ contributions, particularly in the work of UN-GGIM: Europe. He also reiterated EuroGeographics support for initiatives to strengthen geospatial information management, the Global geodetic reference frame, and the implementation and adoption of standards, reminding delegates of the expertise within the Knowledge Exchange Networks (KENS).
 
Strengthening geospatial information management
 
EuroGeographics:  

• Noted the contribution of the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) Association, and its generous donation to capacity development initiatives. This is something that EuroGeographics, as a member of the Board GSDI, encouraged and strongly supported. We are pleased to note it has already had an impact.
• Drew attention to the ongoing contribution made by members to the work of UN GGIM Europe. Not only do some of our members play an active role, but our members also provide funding, through EuroGeographics, for the UN-GGIM: Europe Secretariat and we are pleased to continue to provide other support in establishing this important global endeavour by making a number of interventions.
• Welcomed and supported the proposal to host the 6th High-level forum in Europe, and thanked the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for taking the lead in this work. He also welcomed the United Kingdom’s leadership in the revision of the Future Trends document and offered support and assistance, through all 5 stages of the development plan, including the use of our network members, the National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registries of geographic Europe.

Global geodetic reference frame

EuroGeographics:

•  Noted and read with interest the present report and the work of the Subcommittee on Geodesy.
• Supports and welcomes the aspiration for a strengthened global governance structure whilst stressing a number of critical points for the sub-Committee to consider, in particular the importance of demonstrating that this will indeed reflect in better governance, better decision making, better communication and further out-reach.
• Requested that more is done to ensure that those who are not already active or expert in geodesy get involved and better understand the importance of this work, and also better understand the work of the many different bodies involved in geodesy internationally, and explain their relevance and importance in these challenging times.
• Commended the ambition to strengthen governance and highlighted that this requirement also extends to a number of other areas of geospatial information management, particularly in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and should be considered further by the UNGGIM Secretariat.
• Supported engagement with our members to ensure they are fully informed and aware of the proposals before formal positions are requested. To avoid duplication of effort, our Positioning Knowledge Exchange Network in Europe should be used to inform them of these important developments.    

Determination of 14 global fundamental geospatial data themes
 
EuroGeographics:

• Acknowledges and welcomes the report and the activities of the working group in preparing the definition of the 14 global fundamental data themes.
• Noted that administrative boundaries are one of the fundamental themes and highlighted that EuroGeographics continues to contribute to the Second Administrative Level Boundaries (SALB) programme, through the provision of its pan-European open dataset compiled from 39 national authoritative datasets from our members. 
• Spoke of the work and contribution of all our members to this dataset, and in particular to the standardisation efforts undertaken by IGN France in preparing the data in SALB-ready format. 
• Encouraged other member states and organisations to help support this project, and stressed that EuroGeographics remains ready to assist and advise, on the processes, procedures and organisation, and our experience if requested to do so. 
• Highlighted that it shares the view that communication and promotion of these global fundamental data themes is essential, and noted in particular the value and importance of endorsement by the UN Committee of Experts. 
• Suggested the use of simple, straightforward and non-technical language suitable not only to our own community, but also to those throughout government, in particular to those responsible for the national mapping, cadastral and land registries. This will help strengthen the relevance and importance of their work, and how it contributes to the global geospatial information management initiative and SDGs.

Implementation and adoption of standards for the global geospatial information community
 
EuroGeographics: 

• Noted and acknowledged the report and activities carried out by the Open Geospatial Consortium, technical committee 211 of the International Organization for Standardization, and the International Hydrographic Organization.
• Drew attention to the work of the Quality Knowledge Exchange Network which is about to publish updated guidelines for implementing the ISO19100 Geographic Information Standards in European National mapping, cadastral and land registries. We also expressed the wish to contribute this document to the UNGGIM knowledge database as  a good practice example elaborated by the experts from Europe’s National Mapping Authorities.

Vacancy: EuroGeographics Services Development Consultant

EuroGeographics is the membership Association of the National Mapping, Land Registry and Cadastral Agencies from across Europe. EuroGeographics’ mission is to further the development of the European Spatial Data Infrastructure through collaboration in the area of geographical information, including topographic information, cadastre and land information.

We are looking for a consultant to lead EuroGeographics’ contribution in data supply and data contributors’ activities to the “Open European Location Services (Open ELS) project” which is co-financed by the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility. 

 A description of the work and the required skill set can be downloaded here. 

If you are interested in this contract opportunity from 1 September 2018 – 31 May 2018 please email a short covering letter detailing relevant experience, your day rate and any additional contract costs in euro, and a copy of your CV to Sallie Payne sallie.payne@eurogeographics.org by 20th August 2018. For further information please contact Helen Kaestner, ELS Transition Programme Manager, Helen.Kaestner@eurogeographics.org

Save the date: Workshop on Smart Land Administration

Join this side event on 3 December 2018 at the world’s leading annual start-up event, Slush and learn how technology is changing land administration. The event is sponsored by local industry and the National Land Survey of Finland.

The agenda includes:

• Discussion on impact of disruptive technologies by the top global influencers in the industry.
• Evaluation ofthe impact of platform economy to land administration operations, as well on the government as the private and NGO sectors.
• Examples, visions and new ways of using geospatial data to maximise benefits.
  Places are limited and registration opens in September.

More information

Open ELS Project publishes data policy

Harmonised geospatial data from official national sources will be free to access and available under an open licence through the Open European Location Services (Open ELS) Project.

The newly-published Open ELS data policy sets out the principals for accessing and reusing the data and services delivered by the Open ELS Project. In doing so, it provides certainty, to both users and the participating National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities, about what open data is free and under what terms and conditions.

“This document defines open data available from the Open ELS Project, as well as a common vision and approach for licensing it,” says Dominik Kopczewski, Policy Development Manager at the international not-for-profit organisation, EuroGeographics, which is co-ordinating the Open ELS Project.

“It was developed with feedback from National Mapping, Cadastral and Land Registry Authorities and complements their national activities whilst also respecting their national policy, legislative and business requirements.”

Read the Open ELS Data Policy and summary of research on scope of open geospatial data from official national sources across Europe.

Meeting with Geodesy, Cartography & Cadastre Agency (GCCA) Bulgaria

A delegation from EuroGeographics, led by Mick Cory, Secretary General and Executive Director, met recently with the senior team at the Geodesy, Cartography and Cadastre Agency (GCCA) of Bulgaria and senior representatives of the Bulgarian Military Geographic Service.

Mick, who was accompanied by Patricia Sokacova, Membership and Communications Manager and Angela Baker, Sales, Marketing and Channel Manager, outlined EuroGeographics' new strategy and how it represents members' interests, builds and shares knowledge and facilitates access to members’ data and services. He also spoke about current demands for up to date members’ data from the European Commission and related institutions.

2018 Extraordinary General Assembly and member workshops

Representatives from 34 member organisations participated in EuroGeographics 2018 Extraordinary General Assembly, held in Leuven, Belgium. 

As well as launching a new logo and branding, the two-day event also gave a preview of the Association’s new website. Keynote speaker, Michael Standar, Chief Strategy and External Affairs, SESAR presented on joint undertakings and international collaboration.

Members also heard updates on products and the European Location Framework whilst Eurostat and Copernicus explained how geospatial data from official sources is used within the European Commission.

The agenda also included discussions on legislation, partnerships, UN-GGIM: Europe and a lively session on Knowledge Exchange.

The Extraordinary General Assembly was followed by workshops on development and funding and disruptive technologies.