Author: Silvia Klettner

We are happy to announce a CartoTalk by Anthony C. Robinson from Pennsylvania State University, on Tuesday, 16 May 2017.

Abstract: The reach and impact of cartography is more impressive than ever. Big spatial data sources, new map interaction paradigms, and scalable computing are combining to place mapping at the center of solutions to major human and environmental problems. While our discipline benefits from a tremendously rich history of scientific advances in understanding how people can make, use, and interpret maps, new gaps in our knowledge are emerging. These new frontiers are forming as a result of the torrent of data we are receiving, higher expectations from broader audiences of users, and problem contexts that are dynamic and will never have simple solutions. It is in this context that members of the International Cartographic Association (ICA) have been collaborating to develop a new research agenda for cartography in the era of big data. In this talk I will show examples of the challenges we are facing, identifying broad challenges that will require long-term research engagement as well as shorter-term opportunities that can be tackled right away. Two key themes that cut across these challenges are the need to address both the artistic as well as scientific aspects of Cartography, and to ground our work in problem contexts that truly matter to the well-being of people and our planet. Put simply, we have the opportunity to center our research on the goal of making maps that matter – an aim that can concentrate our efforts to solve important problems with geographic information.

Anthony Robinson is Assistant Professor of Geography and Director of Online Geospatial Education Programs at Pennsylvania State University. He leads Penn State’s online Postbaccalaureate GIS Certificate and Master of Geographic Information Systems programs in the John A. Dutton e-Education Institute. He is also an Assistant Director for the GeoVISTA Center in the Department of Geography. He serves as President of the North American Cartographic Information Society (NACIS), and is also the co-chair of the International Cartographic Association Commission on Visual Analytics.

Tuesday, 16 May 2017, 15:00
Research Group Cartography
Seminar room 126

 

We are happy to announce our next CartoTalk on Monday, 8 May 2017 by Werner Beer (Alpenvereinskartographie Innsbruck).

Abstract: More than 150 years ago the Alpine Club began to go its own way in cartography. With the onset of alpinism interest in the mountains grew as well as the need for adequate map material. Over the course of time the Alpine Club Cartography has evolved and enjoys a very good reputation in the field of high mountain cartography. In order to continue to meet expectations we are currently working on a comprehensive renewal. The lecture gives an insight into the workings of yesterday and today and shows approaches for the future.

Monday, 8 May 2017, 13.30
Geodäsie HS (EI 11)
Gußhausstraße 27-29, 3rd floor

 

We are happy to announce a CartoTalk by Maxwell Roberts from University of Essex, UK, on Monday 10 April 2017.

In this presentation, Maxwell Roberts will discuss the criteria necessary for effective visual information design, and suggest that the optimum rules for a schematic map depend on the structure of the network, and that octolinearity may sometimes be inappropriate. To
illustrate this, he will describe usability studies in which people’s planning performance is measured objectively using different map versions. Maxwell Roberts will also show how an exploration of design, in which rules are manipulated systematically, can highlight issues when applied to the London and Berlin networks.

For more information about his research, projects, and public lectures, visit http://www.tubemapcentral.com/

Maxwell Roberts completed a BSc and PhD in psychology at the University of Nottingham, UK, and has lectured at the University of Essex since 1993. His research interests have included reasoning and intelligence, but now focus on schematic maps. He creates challenging designs and tests their usability and aesthetics. He has authored two books on maps, and his work has been exhibited in Germany, the USA, and the UK, and is currently on display in Vienna.

Monday, 10 April 2017, 11:00
Geodäsie HS (EI 11)
Gußhausstraße 27-29, 3rd floor

 

We are happy to announce a CartoTalk by Pepijn Viaene from Ghent University, on Thursday 16 March 2017.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in indoor navigation tools and applications. As such, various approaches to indoor navigation have been developed by research institutions (e.g. SoleWay, Nadine-navigation) and commercial companies (e.g. Eyedog, Insoft, IndoorAtlas, SPREO Indoor Navigation, Meridian). Although, these approaches often highlight the importance of landmarks, they rarely incorporate landmark-based path-finding algorithms. A major difficulty remains the identification of landmarks in indoor environments. Moreover, commonly used spatial models are not fully capable of handling basic characteristics of landmark-based wayfinding. During this talk, a theoretical approach to identify landmarks through eye tracking measures and a way to implement these landmarks in a path-finding algorithm are presented.

Since 2013, Pepijn Viaene is a researcher at the Department of Geography, Ghent University. His PhD research is entitled “Indoor landmarks: the study and implementation of navigational aids” and deals with wayfinding and navigation in buildings. This research specifically focuses on the identification of landmarks and the use of landmarks in path algorithms and smartphone applications. Before starting his PhD, he studied Geomatics and Land Surveying.

Thursday, 16 March 2017, 11:00
Research Group Cartography
Seminar room 126