Journal of Spatial Information Science (JoSIS)

CALL FOR PAPERS – Special Feature on Open Geographic Information

Guest editors:  Dr. Hanif Rahemtulla, Horizon Digital Economy Research, Nottingham University and Professor Paul Longley, Department of Geography, University College London.

Call for papers

This special feature aims to bring together some of the key developers, academics and writers on Open Data to document its lineage, debate its philosophy and methods and to envision its future. Contributions are welcome from any source, and in any style appropriate to the arguments being made.

We invite full research articles. Potential contributions should consult the Guidelines for Authors and discuss their article with the Guest Editors Hanif Rahemtulla or Paul Longley before submission. All papers will go through the normal JOSIS peer review process. The deadline for submission is 30th June 2011. We look forward to receiving a wide variety of stimulating papers dealing with either the theoretical and/or practical aspects of this emerging research

Background

The term “Open Data” refers to the philosophical and methodological approach to the democratization of data enabling citizens to access and create value through the reuse of public sector information. Today, Open Data is gathering momentum and forms part of a global movement linked to Open Access and comparable to other Open movements such as Open Source. To date, this movement is being led by government institutions in the UK, USA and Australia through pioneering initiatives such as Data.Gov and the London DataStore. These initiatives, which are being replicated across cities, states and countries (i.e., Open Toronto and New Zealand Open Data Catalogue) provide access to “non-sensitive government datasets, at no cost, to citizens, citizen groups, non-governmental-organisations (NGOs) and businesses” (Lauriault, 2008).

The Open Data Initiative will, it is envisaged, support greater transparency and accountability within Government and create new economic and social value (see Oxera Study, 1999; Cambridge Study, 2008). Furthermore, as O’Reilly (2009) and others argue, the advent of Open Data will fundamentally change the nature by which citizens interact with government. Specifically, the release of public data online and public APIs (which is already underway in some places) will create a platform supporting the development of third-party communication applications outside of government (Headd, 2010). This it is expected will provide a vehicle for expanding public outreach and enhancing public engagement leading to “a more responsive and citizen-focused government” (Madera, 2009).

Today, the Open Data movement has created great excitement in the developer community with a seemingly endless stream of novel and innovative applications, tools and visualizations that repurposes and enriches public data. This new wave of creativity characterised by Sir Tim Berners-Lee as the combination of information, creative vision and digital technology – has lead to some of the most exciting developments in mobile GIS, web-cartography, and LBS in recent years.

However, while Open Data gives rise to a many new opportunities it also poses many challenges. As Boyd (2010) states, access to public information to promote transparency represents only the first step to a more informed citizenry. The success of Open Data will depend in part upon addressing existing barriers to access which encompasses issues such as digital inclusion and information literacy. As such, there is much work still to do to make this promised future happen.

GUEST EDITORS:

Dr. Hanif Rahemtulla

Horizon Digital Economy Research

University of Nottingham

Nottingham NG7 2TU

Email: hanif.rahemtulla@nottingham.ac.uk

Professor Paul Longley

Department of Geography,

University College London

London WC1 6BT

Email: p.longley@ucl.ac.uk

Research Associate (ENFOLD-ing project: Migration stream)

Salary (inclusive of London allowance)

£31,778 per annum

Duties and Responsibilities

This is an EPSRC-funded research position working on the Explaining, Modelling & Forecasting Global Dynamics (ENFOLD-ing) project.   The main purpose of this post is to initiate, develop, design and be responsible for the delivery of a programme of high quality quantitative research into the relevant statistical, geographical and theoretical aspects related to migration analysis, as well as related issues to the overall aims of the ENFOLD project; this includes working in and contributing to the wider ENFOLD team effort.

Funding is available for two years in the first instance.

Key Requirements

The ideal candidate will have extensive programming experience (in C#, C++, Java, Python etc) , expertise in designing, constructing and analysing large databases and a PhD in any of the following:

• a quantitative speciality within a social science discipline such as; statistics, geography, economics, sociology, epidemiology/ public health, GIS, spatial analysis
• a science discipline with experience in social science applications, such as computer science, maths, physics, medicine, and any other relevant disciplines.

Further Details

A job description and person specification can be accessed at the bottom of this page. To apply for the vacancy please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below. If you have any queries regarding the vacancy, please contact Sonja Curtis, s.curtis@ucl.ac.uk, 020 7679 1782.

Please also upload the following documents: (a) a letter of application outlining your suitability to this post and your reasons for applying; (b) a samples of your work (if any).

UCL Taking Action for Equality

Closing Date

23 Apr 2010

Interview date

21st May 2010 (TBC)

More details:  http://tinyurl.com/yh567tq

Census.ac.uk are pleased to announce a new series of workshops for the coming academic year.

The workshops are free and you can book as many as you like.

The first two workshops will be held on 27 and 28 October at the University of Stirling. Book soon to avoid disappointment.

Click on the links below to see further details, and to complete the online booking form.

27 October 2009 (University of Stirling)
Workshop: Working with longitudinal Scottish census data (with a focus on
spatial data)
http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/news/eventdetail.asp?id=2320

28 October 2009 (University of Stirling)
Workshop: An introduction to mapping census data
http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/news/eventdetail.asp?id=2321

15 December 2009 (City University, London)
Workshop: using census data in methods teaching
http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/news/eventdetail.asp?id=2322

8 January 2010 (University of Cardiff)
Census data workshop: using migration data and the ONS Longitudinal Study
http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/news/eventdetail.asp?id=2327

3 February 2010 (University of Southampton)

Census data workshop: changing geography masterclass
http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/news/eventdetail.asp?id=2323

15 March 2010 (University of Essex)
Workshop: Overview of census data resources
http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/news/eventdetail.asp?id=2328

More to come. See our workshops webpage for a complete list of forthcoming
workshops: http://census.ac.uk/News/Workshops.aspx

Lecturer in Quantitative Human Geography (Fixed-term)

Department: Department of Geography, University of Sheffield

Ref No: R07432

Closing Date: 11th August, 2009

Salary: £36,532 – £43,622 per annum

Summary: The appointee will cover teaching in quantitative areas of Human Geography, pursue an independent research agenda, contribute to departmental administration, and the expanding range of Masters teaching. The post-holder will have experience in at least some of the areas of statistical techniques, socio-economic spatial geography and political geography. Applications are particularly invited from candidates whose research complements one or more of the Department’s existing human geography research groups. Applicants should have a first degree and, ideally, a PhD in Geography or a cognate discipline (or equivalent experience), with experience of teaching, and conducting research. This post is fixed term for 22 months, anticipated dates from 1 September 2009 to 30 June 2011.

Website for details: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/academic.html

2011 Census: Producing the Numbers
==================================

1 June 2009, Royal Statistics Society
This meeting will offer the first integrated presentation of the proposed end-to-end methodology for the production of 2011 census population estimates.  Aspects of 2011 census proposals, particularly the use of post-out and post-back of questionnaires, a parallel internet data collection channel, coverage survey and increased use of external data sources for census validation all present new opportunities and challenges compared with previous censuses.  The event will comprise four presentations by the Office for National Statistics, each presenting the proposed methodology for an important stage of the census processing and followed by an initial review by an expert discussants: Prof Phil Rees, Prof Ian Diamond; John Bradley and Prof Ludi Simpson.  Presentations will note major differences of methodology within the UK and there will be opportunity for open discussion on each topic.

The second of these is not yet on the RSS website but both are bookable by emailing conference@rss.org.uk for a booking form.

date: 7 July 2009

location: City University London

fee: £175

includes: presentations, lunch, refreshments, computing facilities, resource pack

programme: full schedule

speakers: list & profiles

eligibility: open to all – no constraints

to book: please contact Mark Firman with your invoicing details and dietary / accessibility requirements.

contact: mfirman@soi.city.ac.uk | 020 7040 8435

… better graphics, better presentation, better evidence, better decisions …

More data is more accessible than ever before. Visualization provides scope for converting these data sets into knowledge and evidence that can inform decision making. However, knowing where and how to gain the necessary visualization skills can be difficult.

The giCentre at City University London offers cutting edge expertise in mapping and data visualization and is increasingly working with commercial organizations and government to make sense of large data sets through visualization.

Our Data Visualization Day has been designed to equip information professionals with guidance, ideas and skills relating to current visualization methods, approaches and technologies.

It will be beneficial to those who are analysing and presenting data in a range of public and private sector organizations by providing access to cutting edge visualization methods and examples of current best practice in a range of application areas.

giCentre Masterclasses are open to all.

Poverty and Reproductive Health in Poor Countries: Issues, Measurement & Evidence

BSPS day meeting

Sponsored in collaboration with the ESRC

Venue: New Academic Building (NABL09), LSE

Friday 29th May, 2009

Background

The burden of out-of-pocket expenditure related to reproductive health service

use remains largely unexplored in poor country contexts. The knock-on effect of

poverty on reproductive health is difficult to quantify given limited crosssectional

and longitudinal evidence as well as lack of representative data on

health related expenditure at the individual level. Apart from the indirect costs,

there is a lack of evidence on user-fees and institutional subsidies in the public

and private sector and how these influence treatment/ care seeking behaviour,

both short-term and long-term. Generating evidence through cross-country

studies is essential to design effective and sustainable policies to enhance

reproductive wellbeing of individuals.

Aims

1. To examine evidence on the pathways through which poverty affects

reproductive health at the individual, household, institutional and community

levels in poor countries, with a regional focus on Asia and Africa.

2. To provide a forum for debate on the short- and long-term impact of poverty

on reproductive wellbeing

3. To discuss the challenges in measuring and interpreting empirical evidence

on poverty and reproductive health

This day meeting is open to all, and is free-of-charge but there is only limited space available.

However, PRE-REGISTRATION is essential, also for access to New Academic Building and for security related reasons – please email Ms. Anne Shepherd (pic@lse.ac.uk ) or phone: 020 7955 7666.

Census data workshop: using migration data and the ONS Longitudinal Study

Southend, 26 June

Time: 10.30-16.00 (10.00 registration and refreshments)
Date: Friday, 26 June 2009
Place: University of Essex, Southend Campus, Elmer Approach, Southend-on-
Sea, SS1 1LW
Booking and information:
http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/news/eventdetail.asp?id=2175

This workshop will include an introduction to the data services offered by
Census.ac.uk and is aimed at those studying or working in the UK higher and
further education sector, but is not limited to those already registered to use
the census.

At this workshop users will be introduced to the activities of the Centre for
Interaction Data Estimation and Research (CIDER) and the Web-based
Interface to Census Interaction Data (WICID) data extraction system.

Rachel Stuchbury, Julian Buxton and Christopher Marshall from the Centre for
Longitudinal Study Information and User Support (CelSIUS) will introduce the
Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study, with a focus on health and
ethnicity, discussing data sources and structure, offering suggestions for
research topics and designs, showing how to access the data and giving
participants an opportunity to explore the data for themselves using two
teaching datasets, on ethnicity and limiting long term illness respectively.

Shane Bartley, Strategy and Performance Advisor at Southend Borough
Council, will give a short talk about their preparations for the 2011 census.

The workshop is free to attend and includes lunch and refreshments. However
travel and accommodation costs will need to be met by the participants.

Booking and information:
http://www.data-archive.ac.uk/news/eventdetail.asp?id=2175

Family Resources Survey user meeting

Thursday 30 April 2009

Royal Statistical Society, London

This meeting will provide a forum for data users and producers to meet and discuss new developments and exchange information about the Family Resources Survey.

The meeting is free to attend and lunch is provided. For more details and to book a place please go to http://www.ccsr.ac.uk/esds/events/2009-04-30/”>http://www.ccsr.ac.uk/esds/events/2009-04-30/

Programme

BSPS day meeting: Health and mortality using record linkage data in the UK

 LG03, New Academic Building, London School of Economics

14th  May 2009

Programme

10.30 Registration and Coffee

11.00 Introduction by the Chair

11.10 Marital history and mortality using ONS Longitudinal Study data, Emily Grundy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

 3.50 Final questions and comments

4.00 End of meeting

3.10 Associations between self reported health and mortality in the UK: analysis of the Longitudinal Studies of England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Harriet Young, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

2.30 Reinvigorating your data with some contextual colour: examples from the Northern Ireland Longitudinal Study. Dermot O’Reilly, Queens University Belfast

12.50 Lunch (not provided) Optional demonstration of the Centre for Longitudinal Study Information and User Support (CeLSIUS) web resources.

1.50 Using the Scottish Longitudinal Study to consider the effects of widowhood on mortality,   Paul Boyle, University of St. Andrews

 12.20 Paid employment, permanent sickness and mortality risk: England and Wales 1971-2001, David Blane, Imperial College London

11.50 Examining the influence of health selection on male mortality by socio-economic position, England and Wales, 2001-04,  Chris White, Office for National Statistics

This day meeting is open to all, and is free of charge. However, - please email pic@lse.ac.uk or phone 020 7955 7666 to pre-register   pre-registration is essential