Geospatial data is a much broader concept than is often realised. The commercial exploitation of geospatial resources and techniques is well known and has had a profound impact. Government’s awareness of the importance and potential of geospatial data is reflected the UK’s Location Strategy and the EU’s INSPIRE Directive. Similarly, geospatial resources are basic to research, and to teaching, in almost every discipline. Many research outputs and data relate to a location, meaning they can be understood, mapped, combined and reused. This is an area of accelerating innovation, and one which JISC must provide well-informed leadership in order best to serve its constituency. For this reason it is appropriate that the Geospatial Working Group’s remit should be widened from that of advising on collecting and development priorities for geospatial resources. The reformed Working Group should take on a JISC-wide role, advising more broadly on opportunities, challenges and priority areas emerging in the geospatial area as these relate to JISC’s strategic concerns. Read More
