Geomob

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Alastair speaks with Claire Neil, Principal EO Scientist at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency's (SEPA) new Satellite Emergency Mapping Service (SEMS). They discuss Claire's journey in Earth observation, the operational use of SEMS during disasters, the challenges of data processing, and the future developments in Earth observation capabilities at SEPA. The conversation highlights the importance of satellite-derived information in emergency response and environmental monitoring in Scotland. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Dive into the vibrant world of geospatial events as Ed and Steven share their recent adventures in Edinburgh, London, and Berlin. Discover the charm of the Caledonian sleeper train and insights on geocoding challenges. The discussion highlights the enthusiastic community, memorable presentations, and the crucial role of sponsorship. With talks on innovative cartographic projections and last-mile solutions, the hosts explore plans for expanding Geomob to new cities, even across North America!

Ed interviews Chris Beddow, a prominent figure in the geospatial community and author of the Worldbuilder newsletter. Chris speaks about his work with geospatial technology, his experiences with OpenStreetMap and Mapillary, and the motivations behind his newsletter. The conversation delves into the evolution of maps, the impact of technology on geospatial practices, and the challenges large mapping teams face. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.  

For this week's Geomob podcast, we shake things up a bit. Alastair interviews Nick Everard, a senior hydrometric scientist, about the advancements in hydrometry and river flow measurement. They discuss the evolution of measurement techniques from traditional methods to modern technologies like remote-controlled boats, drones, and satellites. Nick emphasises the importance of accurate data collection in understanding and managing river flows, especially in the context of climate change and increasing flood risks. The conversation makes for a fascinating case study on the importance of data collection and geo-edge cases. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Steven and Ed meet for the first time in the new year to discuss upcoming events and significant developments in their respective fields. They delve into OpenCage's move to Berlin and the launch of a new geocoding service, highlighting the challenges of managing data from various sources. The discussion shifts to Foursquare's recent open data release, examining its implications for data quality. They also touch on OpenStreetMap's financial support and the importance of sustainable funding for open-source projects. Finally, they explore Overture's new transport data set and its potential impact on the industry. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.  

After meeting at #geomobNL, Ed Freyfogle welcomes Héctor Ochoa Ortiz, a PhD student and newly elected board member of the OpenStreetMap Foundation to speak on the pod. They discuss Hector's journey into OpenStreetMap, his research on the corporate landscape of open data, and the challenges and opportunities for companies to contribute to OpenStreetMap. The conversation touches on the importance of community involvement, the need for better tools for contributors, and Héctor's aspirations. Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Steven sits down with Luke Seelenbinder, CEO and Founder of Stadia Maps. They share a lively conversation on the different ways technology, society and geo intersect; the evolution of Stadia Maps and some of the inherent challenges to serving maps as a service. The other main topic of conversation is Luke's work on MapLibre, a community-driven open-source map rendering SDK. Expect a deep dive into themes such as the importance of community contribution, the complexities of managing open source projects and the risks of feature bloat. Technical, varied and engaging, this episode is a good one! Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Welcome to the first episode of 2025! Alastair is joined today by two guests, Maddie Grady and Luisa Teixeira from Planet, a leading company in Earth observation. They discuss their backgrounds, the innovative satellite technology used by Planet, and its applications in agriculture and biodiversity conservation. Maddie delves into how satellite-derived land surface temperature can improve agricultural practices, while Luisa introduces Project Centinela, aimed at conserving biodiversity hotspots. They both cover the new Tanager 1 satellite, which offers hyperspectral imaging capabilities for environmental monitoring.Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

In the final #geomobpod of the year, our podcast hosts Ed, Steven and Alastair get together to reflect on 2024. They cover it all ranging from highlights, lowlights and ambitions for next year and more! They then turn their attention to the community and how they might grow it, before touching on the joy felt from having conversations with experts in the geospace. All this and more, Happy New Year!

To celebrate the festive season, Steven welcomes back some special guests to reflect on their personal and professional highlights from 2024 in a fun, lively and diverse episode of the pod. Expect book recommendations covering some of the biggest themes in geography, projections on what might be hot in 2025 and much, much more. Enjoy! Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.