PAIR Distinguished Lecture: Prof. Michael GOODCHILD of University of California, Santa Barbara, USA delivers “Geospatial Futures”
PAIR Distinguished Lecture Series
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Date
01 Aug 2025
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Organiser
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research
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Time
14:30 - 16:00
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Venue
Lecture Theatre GH201, Podium Level, Wing GH, PolyU (Limited seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis)
Speaker
Prof. Michael GOODCHILD
Enquiry
PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research info.pair@polyu.edu.hk
Summary
Abstract
Although the term geospatial is surprisingly recent, it has proven very successful at integrating tools, services, data, and systems around the central concept of where. I review some of the key breakthroughs in geospatial technology, some of the legacy practices that remain centrally important, and some of the most compelling examples of social impact. Currently a number of topics occupy the cutting edge of research and development: machine learning and generative AI, digital twins, and ethics. Uncertainty has proven very difficult to address in any comprehensive way, and is likely to become more problematic as geospatial applications of AI become more universal.
Prof. Michael GOODCHILD
- Distinguished Professor Emeritus
- Department of Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
Michael F. Goodchild is Professor Emeritus of Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He received his BA degree from Cambridge University in Physics in 1965 and his PhD in Geography from McMaster University in 1969. His research and teaching interests focus on geographic information science, including uncertainty in geographic information, discrete global grids, and volunteered geographic information. He was elected member of the US National Academy of Sciences in 2002, and Foreign Member of the Royal Society and Corresponding Fellow of the British Academy in 2010. He has published over 600 books and articles.
