Geographic Information Science
Geographic Information Science is the study of the fundamental principles of geographic information and what makes geographic information different from other types of information. It is an interdisciplinary field, composed of researchers from geography, information science, cognitive psychology, mathematics, engineering, surveying, computer science, statistics and philosophy. Its focus is on theoretical advances in the handling, representation and communication of geographic information rather than on individual applications of geographic technologies (e.g., GPS, GIS and Remote Sensing). Within PEMS, our focus is on the representation and communication of geographic information, although several individuals in School of Engineering and Information Technology (SEIT) work on problems of data handling. Research in our group includes topics ranging from radar remote sensing of large mining projects in the Asia Pacific Region to evaluating the effects of data quality and error propagation on spatial analysis to understanding perceptual and cognitive factors that influence whether or not map readers see moving clusters in animated maps.
Members of the Geographic Information Science Research Group:
Academic Staff:
Dr Amy Griffin (a.griffin@adfa.edu.au) BA (Hons) Macalester College, MSc, PhD Pens, GrCrt UNSW
Emeritus Prof. Brian Lees (b.lees@adfa.edu.au) BA PhD Syd.
Dr David Paull (d.paull@adfa.edu.au) MA Adel., PhD UNSW
Visiting Fellows:
Assoc. Prof. Zhongming Wen (z.wen@adfa.edu.au) PhD CAS
Research Students:
Jin ( Tracy ) Cui - Research Topic -Classifying urban green space distribution: Analyzing spatial relationship of human-natural process by integrating remote sensing and socioeconomic data
Thomas Grice - Research Topic - A case study on the impact of geospatial uncertainty on dynamic decision making during the Aceh Tsunami response in 2005/06.
Jeffery Thompson - Research Topic -
Remote sensing of Australia's alpine bioregions: The spatial and temporal dynamics of snow and vegetation phenology.
Recent Graduate Students:
Mishra, Shibani Rosyshree 2010, Chilika Fisheries: A Place for Participatory GIS?, School of Physical, Environmental & Mathematical Sciences, Australian Defence Force Academy, UNSW, PhD Thesis, Available at: http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/45680
Trisasongko, Bambang, 2008, Monitoring a mine-influenced environment in Indonesia through radar polarimetry, School of Physical, Environmental & Mathematical Sciences, Australian Defence Force Academy, UNSW, Masters Thesis, Available at: http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/39747.
Research Collaborators:
Cartographic Representation and Geographic Information Science
Prof. Hussein Abbass (SEIT, UNSW@ADFA)
Dr A. Banos (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire Image et Ville, Universite Louis-Pasteur)
T. Bhowmick (GeoVISTA Center, Penn State University)
Dr P. Durr (CSIRO)
Prof. S. Fabrikant (University of Zurich)
Ms B. Kluhsmann (Penn State University)
Prof. E. Lengerich (Penn State University)
Prof. A. MacEachren (GeoVISTA Center, Penn State University)
Dr A. Robinson (GeoVISTA Center, Penn State University)
Remote Sensing and Environmental Monitoring
Assoc. Prof. Glenn Banks (Massey University, New Zealand)
Dr C. Ballard (ANU)
Prof. D. Gillieson (JCU)
Geographic Information Science and Artificial Intelligence
Dr B. McKay (UNSW@ADFA)
Dr S. Yin (UNSW@ADFA)
PhD Opportunities and Scholarships
If you are interested in a PhD or Masters by research in Geographic Information Science:
Contact:
Prof. Brian Lees (b.lees@adfa.edu.au)
Dr Amy Griffin (a.griffin@adfa.edu.au)
Dr David Paull (d.paull@adfa.edu.au)
Major Facilities
- ENVI, Definiens and ERDAS Imagine remote sensing packages, ArcGIS software.
- Eye tracking laboratory with Tobii eye-tracker
Student Research
A case study on the impact of geospatial uncertainty on dynamic decision making during the Aceh Tsunami response in 2005/06
Thomas Grice (thomas.grice@student.adfa.edu.au) MPhil
Field of Study: Geographic Information Science
Classifying urban green space distribution: Analyzing spatial relationship of human-natural process by integrating remote sensing and socioeconomic data
Jin Cui (j.cui@student.adfa.edu.au) MSc
Field of Study: Geographic Information Science
Research over the past two decades has highlighted the many benefits of urban green space brought to human beings. The spatial distribution of urban green space is influenced by human activities and social economic development through time. Cities can be seen as sustainable ecosystems, but the connection between urban green space, socioeconomic and biophysical factors in varying combinations, and quality of life is not comprehensively understood. The focus of the project is to use GIS and remote sensing to investigate how th ese factors interact in space and time.
Remote sensing of Australia's alpine bioregions: The spatial and temporal dynamics of snow and vegetation phenology
Jeff Thompson (jeffery.thompson@student.adfa.edu.au) PhD
Field of Study: Geography
Recent Publications
2011 publications
Refereed Journal
Paull, D.J., Claridge, A. & Barry, S.C., 2011, There's no accounting for taste: Bait attractants and infrared digital cameras for detecting small to medium ground-dwelling mammals, Wildlife Research, 38(3),188-195, 10.1071/WR10203.
Strazdins, L., Griffin, A.L., Broom, D.H., Banwell, C., Korda, R., Dixon, J., Shipley, M., Paolucci, F. & Glover, J., 2011, Time scarcity: Another health inequity?, Environment and Planning A ,43(3), 545-559, 10.1068/a4360.
Walkington, H., Griffin, A.L., Keys-Matthews, L., Metoyer, S.K., Miller, W.E., Baker, R. & France, D., 2011, Embedding research-based learning early in the undergraduate geography curriculum, Journal of Geography in Higher Education , 35(3), 315-330, 10.1080/03098265.2011.563377.
2010 publications
Refereed Journal
Hobbs, S., Paull, D.J. & Bourke, M., 2010, Aeolian processes and dune morphology in Gale Crater, Icarus, 210(1), 102-115, 10.1016/j.icarus.2010.06.006
Mishra, S.R. & Griffin, A.L., 2010, Encroachment: A threat to resource sustainability in Chilika Lake, India, Applied Geography ,30, 448-459, doi:10.1016/j.apgeog.2009.12.001.
Panuju, D.R., Trisasongko, B.H., Susetyo, B., Raimadoya , M.A. & Lees, B.G., 2010, Historical fire detection of tropical forest from NDVI time-series data: Case study on Jambi, Indonesia, ITB Journal of Science , 42A(1), 49-66, http://proceedings.itb.ac.id/download.php?file=A09071.pdf&id=413&up=8
Thompson, J.A ., Lamb, D.W., Frazier P.S. and Ellem, B., 2010 Monitoring the effects of longwall mine-induced subsidence on vineyards." Environmental Earth Sciences, doi:10.1007/s12665-010-0582-7.
Wen, Z., Lees, B.G., Jiao, F., Lei, W. & Shi, H., 2010, Stratified vegetation cover index: A new way to assess vegetation impact on soil erosion, Catena,83(1), 87-93, doi:10.1016/j.catena.2010.07.006.
Wu, W., Wang, X.H., Paull, D.J. & Kesby, J.A., 2010, Defence force activities in marine protected areas: Environmental management of Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia, Chinese Journal of Oceanology and Limnology , 28(3), 667-676, doi:10.1007/s00343-010-9113-3.
Conference
Hobbs, S.W., Paull, D.J. and Bourke, M.C. 2010, Aeolian processes and dune morphology in Gale Crater. Print-only presentation at the 41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 1-5, 2010, The Woodlands, Texas. Available at http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2010/pdf/1561.pdf
Thesis
Mishra, Shibani Rosyshree 2010, Chilika Fisheries: A Place for Participatory GIS?, School of Physical, Environmental & Mathematical Sciences, Australian Defence Force Academy, UNSW, PhD Thesis, Available at: http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/45680
2009 publications
Book - Chapter
Griffin A.L., 2009, Color mapping, in International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, volume 2, R. Kitchin & N. Thrift (Eds), Oxford , Elsevier, pp. 195-201.
Griffin A.L., 2009, Information graphics, in International Encyclopedia of Human Geography, volume 5, R. Kitchin & N. Thrift (Eds), Oxford, Elsevier, pp. 459-468.
Roddick, J. R & Lees, B.G., 2009, Spatio-temporal data mining paradigms and methodologies, in Geographic Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery, Second Edition, H.J. Miller & J. Han (eds), Chapman & Hall/CRC, Boca Raton, pp. 27-44.
Journal - Refereed
Griffin, A.L. & Bell , S., 2009, Applications of signal detection theory to geographic information science, Cartographica, 44(3, 145-158.
Simmonds, F., Wang, X.H. & Lees, B.G., 2009, Comment on 'Marine GIS: Identification of mesoscale oceanic thermal fronts', International Journal of Geographic Information Science, 23(3), 369-373, doi: 10.1080/13658810701851404.
Journal - Letter or note
Griffin, A.L., 2009, Book Review: Map Use, Reading and Analysis, Sixth Edition, Kimerling, A.J., Buckley, A.R., Muehrcke, P.C. & Muehrcke, J.O., ESRI Press, Redlands, Journal of Spatial Science, 54(2), 140-142.
Lees, B.G., 2009, Recent trends in IJGISc (editorial), International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 23(1), 1-6, doi: 10.1080/13658810802628594.
Fisher P. & Lees, B., 2009, Peter Alan Burrough in memoriam, International Journal of Geographic Information Science, 23(4), 551, 10.1080/13658810902885292.
Other refereed contribution - editor of journal issues
Lees, B.G. (ed.), 2009, International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 23(1-2).
Conference paper
Abdel Hamid, B.E.A. & Griffin, A.L., 2009, Developing a spatial-statistical model and map of the horse population in Australia, in GeoComputation 2009 Proceedings, UNSW, Sydney, Australia, presented at 10th International Conference on GeoComputation 2009, UNSW, Sydney, Australia, 30 November-2 December 2009, http://www.biodiverse.unsw.edu.au/geocomputation/proceedings/index.html
Abdel Hamid, B.E. & Griffin , A.L., Durr, P., 2009, Disease outbreak dynamics: modeling and simulation for complex realities, European Conference on Complex Systems, 2009 (ECCS'09).
Connor, JM & Griffin, A.L., 2009, The Muscle Trade: International track and field athlete mobility, colonialism and development', in The Future of Sociology , TASA, Canberra, Australia, presented at The Australian Sociological Association 2009 Annual Conference, ANU, Canberra, 1- 4 December 2009.
Griffin, A.L., 2009, Analyzing sequential data from geovisualization user interfaces,, in Conference Proceedings of the 24th International Cartopgraphic Conference, International Cartographic Association, Santiago, Chile, presented at ICC 2009, Santiago, Chile, 15-21 November 2009, CD ROM.
Conference - Abstract
Paull, D.J., 2009, Mapping truffles in Australia, Cairns IAG 2009 Conference, presented at Institute of Australian Geographers Conference, Cairns, Australia, 28 September - 1 October 2009.
Paull, D.J., 2009, Australian Defence Force Activities in marine protected areas: Environmental management of Shoalwater Bay Training Area, AMSA 2009: Program and Abstract Handbook , Australian Marine Sciences Association, Kilkivan, Qld, presented at Australian Marine Sciences Association 46th Annual Conference, Adelaide, 5 - 9 July 2009.
2008 publications
Book - Edited
Zhou, Q., Lees, B.G. & Tang, G., 2008, Advances in Digital Terrain Analysis, Springer-Verlag, Germany.
Book - Chapter
Griffin, A.L., 2008, Visual Variables, in Encyclopedia of Geographic Information Science, K. Kemp (Ed), Thousand Oaks, CA, SAGE Publications, pp. 506-509.
Jupp, D.L., Lees, B.G., Rui, L. & Suiping, F., 2008, The application of 3S technology to Plank Road research and development of spatial information systems in the Qinling and Daba Mountains: I. Geographical, geological and historical background, in The Collected Papers of the International Symposium on Historical Research of Plank Roads and Applications of 3S Technology, San Xi People's Education Publisher, China, pp. 6-55.
Jupp, D.L., Lees, B.G., Rui, L. & Suiping, F., 2008, The application of 3S technology to Plank Road research and development of spatial information systems in the Qinling and Daba Mountains : II. 3S Technology and the Australia-China project, in The Collected Papers of the International Symposium on Historical Research of Plank Roads and Application of 3S Technology, Shan Xi People's Education Publisher, China, pp. 55-77.
Lees, B.G. 2008, Progress in digital terrain analysis, in Advances in Digital Terrain Analysis, Q. Zhou, B.G. Lees, & G. Tang, (eds), Springer-Verlag, Germany, pp. 461-462.
Lees, B.G., 2008, Remote sensing, in The Handbook of Geographic Information Science, J.P. Wilson, A.S. Fotheringham (eds), Blackwell Publishing, US, pp. 49-60.
Lees, B.G., 2008, The Language and grammar of maps, in The Collected Papers of the International Symposium on Historical Research of Plank Roads and Applications of 3S Technology, Shan Xi People's Education Publisher, China, pp. 175-203.
Lees, B.G., Huang, Z.F., Van Niel, K. & Laffan, S.W., 2008, The impact of DEM Error on predictive vegetation mapping, in Advances in Digital Terrain Analysis, Q. Zhou, B.G. Lees, & G. Tang,(eds), Springer-Verlag, Germany, pp. 349-362.
Zhou, Q., Lees, B.G. & Tang, G., 2008, Advances in digital terrain analysis: the TADTM Initiative', in Advances in Digital Terrain Analysis , eds , Springer-Verlag, Germany, pp. 3-10.
Journal - Refereed
Bhowmick, T., Griffin, A.L., MacEachren, A.M., Kluhsman, B.C. & Lengerich, E.J., 2008, Informing geospatial toolset design: Understanding the process of cancer data exploration and analysis, Health & Place, 14(3) , 576-607, doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2007.10.009.
Journal - Letter or note
Lees, B.G., 2008, Just another node..., International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 22(1) , 1-3.
Conference - Full Paper (Non-refereed)
Griffin, A.L., 2008, Applying sequence alignment for analyzing user interactions with geovisualizations, Autocarto 2008 , 8-10 September 2008, Shepherdstown, WV.
Thesis
Trisasongko, Bambang, 2008, Monitoring a mine-influenced environment in Indonesia through radar polarimetry, School of Physical, Environmental & Mathematical Sciences, Australian Defence Force Academy, UNSW, Masters Thesis, Available at: http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/39747 .