The first meeting of the new University of Greenwich GIS  Forum was held on the 14th of February on the Greenwich campus. GIS – Geographic Information Systems – is taught, practised and researched by a number of Schools, Departments and individuals within the University and the concept behind the forum is to bring together those working in the field to better understand the scope of GIS within the University, to pool expertise and instigate research and collaborate on projects where GIS is a key part of the project.

The meeting which was instigated by Benz Kotzen and Shelley Mosco of the Sustainable Landscapes Research Group, School of Architecture Design and Construction, was attended by representatives of most Schools, by Prof. Mike Worboys, newly appointed Professor of Spatial Informatics and specialist in  GIS and by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. David Maguire who set out his vision for GIS within the University. Prior to joining the University David Maguire was the Chief Scientist at ‘Esri’ and is also an expert in GIS. The birth of this forum is timely and there is real potential for the University to become one of the centres of excellence in London. It was agreed that regular seminars will be arranged with key speakers and that the forum should aim to host an international conference in a few years time.

Anyone working in GIS or with GIS or who has an interest in GIS is welcome to join the Forum and meetings. Meetings will be held monthly and the next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 14 March. Please contact Shelley Mosco at s.mosco@gre.ac.uk to be placed on the mailing list.