Elizabeth Wentz, Ph.D.
Arizona State University
Homepage: www.public.asu.edu/~wentz

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography at Arizona State University with research interests in theoretical, tool building, and applied GIScience. What I believe to be a key theoretical contribution was published in the Annals of the Association of American Geographers, co-authored with Harvey Miller. This paper argues that GIScience should be looking into the analytical possibilities afforded by alternatives to the Euclidean data model. A more technical example of my research focused on developing a new definition and method for measuring and analyzing geographic shape. From an applications perspective, I developed a GIS-based model showing that elevated urban CO2 can be predicted with measures of human activity and the density of vegetation. Service to UCGIS includes being ASU’s lead delegate (2000 – present), being a member of the UCGIS Task Force for the Model Curricula effort (1999 - present), and contributing to the UCGIS Research Initiative on Remotely Acquired Data and Information in GIScience (2000).

As a board member, I would support the mandate of UCGIS to promote the responsible use of geographic information science and technology for the benefit of society. UCIGS membership has provided numerous strategic advantages for member institutions, including a voice and two votes at UCGIS meetings, access to federal agencies and Congress, student and young faculty/scholar fellowships, and participation in UCGIS funded projects and web-based GIScience seminars. I believe we should provide more advantages for member institutions. One potential approach would be a series of coordinated workshops (either integrated with the assembly meetings or as separate events) that support research and education activities for faculty and students. For example, workshops could be centered on curriculum development and integration, hands-on technical training, writing competitive research proposals, and building linkages with communities. Ultimately, I hope that existing benefits to membership plus additional advantages will make UCGIS available and more attractive to smaller universities.