June 22-23, 2009...

Complex Systems Science with a continuing supporting theme of Cyberinfrastructure

The UCGIS is pleased to announce its program for the 2009 Summer Assembly, to be held at The Bishop's Lodge Resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico, June 22-23, 2009. The theme of our 2009 meeting will be Complex Systems Science with a continuing supporting theme of Cyberinfrastructure. These are both emerging areas of great interest in geographic information science, with related ties to sustainability science, land use change, economic stability, and ecosystem resilience – all with an eye toward how to manage associated data and maps, and how to turn them into information for decision-making.

The schedule of distinguished speakers includes Dr. Carl Steinitz of Harvard University and the University College of London's Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis (CASA), who will deliver an education plenary on scale, complexity, and needs for spatial analysis in education.

Dr. Steve Rounsley of the BIO5 Institute and the University of Arizona will deliver one of the research plenaries on the $60-million, NSF-funded iPlant Collaborative and ongoing research in geographic cyberinfrastructure.

There will be several other outstanding research and education plenaries pointing also to future challenges, a panel discussion on the evolving GIScience Knowledge Web, and presentations by winners of the UCGIS Student Paper Competition.

We hope that you will be able to join us for a very stimulating and enjoyable meeting, in a stunning natural setting.