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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: EP/S023577/1
Title: EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Geospatial Systems
Principal Investigator: Mills, Professor JP
Other Investigators:
Porcu, Dr E Crampton, Professor J Marsh, Professor SH
Goulding, Dr JO Boyd, Professor D Shi, Dr JQ
Franklin, Professor R Ford, Dr AC Missier, Professor P
Barr, Professor S Moore, Professor T
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
3D Laser Mapping Ltd Association for Geographical Information Atkins
British Geological Survey Chartered Inst. of Civil Eng. Surveyors Coal Authority
Core Cities UK Defence Science & Tech Lab DSTL Environment Agency (Grouped)
ERS Research and Consultancy ESA/ESRIN Esri (UK) (Watford)
ETH Zurich European Spatial Data Research Finnish Geospatial Research InstituteNLS
Geomatic Ventures Limited GFZ German Research IGN (Nat Inst of Geog & Forestry Info)
IM Geospatial Leica Geosystems Microsoft
Newcastle City Council Northern Gas Networks Northumbrian Water Group plc
Ohio University (USA) Open Geospatial Consortium Inc Ordnance Survey
RMIT University Royal Institute of Navigation Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Satellite Applications Catapult Simudyne Limited Sunderland Software City
Survey Association Tyne and Wear UTMC (Traffic Control) University of Calgary
University of Leeds University of Nottingham University of Oxford
University of Twente Veripos Ltd Vienna University of Technology
Wuhan University
Department: Sch of Engineering
Organisation: Newcastle University
Scheme: Centre for Doctoral Training
Starts: 01 April 2019 Ends: 30 September 2027 Value (£): 6,975,775
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Cartography and GIS Instrumentation Eng. & Dev.
Mobile Computing Transport Ops & Management
Urban & Land Management
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Communications Information Technologies
Transport Systems and Vehicles Water
Technical Consultancy
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
07 Nov 2018 EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training Interview Panel C – November 2018 Announced
Summary on Grant Application Form
On a daily basis huge amounts of geospatial data and information that record location is created across a wide range of environmental, engineered and social systems. Globally approximately 2 quintillion bytes of data is generated daily which is location based. The economic benefits of geospatial data and information have been widely recognised, with the global geospatial industry predicted to be worth $500bn by 2020. In the UK the potential benefits of 'opening' up geospatial data is estimated by the government to be worth an additional £11bn annually to the economy and led to the announcement of a £80m Geospatial Commission.

However, if the full economic benefits of the geospatial data revolution are to be realised, a new generation of geospatial engineers, scientists and practitioners are required who have the knowledge, technical skills and innovation to transform our understanding of the ever increasingly complex world we inhabit, to deliver highly paid jobs and economic prosperity, coupled with benefits to society.

To seize this opportunity, the Centre for Doctoral Training in Geospatial Systems will deliver technically skilled doctoral graduates equipped with an industry focus, to work across a diverse range of applications including infrastructure systems, smart cities, urban-infrastructure resilience, energy systems, spatial mobility, structural monitoring, spatial planning, public health and social inclusion. Doctoral graduates will be trained in five core integrated geospatial themes:

Spatial data capture and interpretation: modern spatial data capture and monitoring approaches, including Earth observation satellite image data, UAVs and drone data, and spatial sensor networks; spatial data informs us on the current status and changes taking place in different environments (e.g., river catchments and cities).

Statistical and mathematical methods: innovative mathematical approaches and statistical techniques, such as predictive analytics, required to analyse and interpret huge volumes of geospatial data; these allow us to recognise and quantify within large volumes of data important locations and relationships.

Big Data spatial analytics: cutting edge computational skills required for geospatial data analysis and modelling, including databases, cloud computing, pattern recognition and machine learning; modern computing approaches are the only way that vast volumes of location data can be analysed.

Spatial modelling and simulation: to design and implement geospatial simulation models for predictive purposes; predictive spatial models allow us to understand where and when investment, interventions and actions are required in the future.

Visualisation and decision support: will train students in modern methods of spatial data visualisation such as virtual and augmented reality, and develop the skills on how to deliver and present the outputs of geospatial data analysis and modelling; skills required to ensure that objective decisions and choices are made using geospatial data and information.

The advanced training received by students will be employed within interdisciplinary PhD research projects co-designed with 40 partners ranging from government agencies, international engineering consultants, infrastructure operators and utility companies, and geospatial technology companies; organisations that are ideally positioned to leverage of the Big Data, Cloud Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies that are predicted to be the key to "accelerating geospatial industry growth" into the future.

Throughout their training and research, students will benefit from cohort-based activities focused on group-working and industry interaction around innovation and entrepreneurship to ensure that our outstanding researchers are able to deliver innovation for economic prosperity across the spectrum of the geospatial industry and applied user sectors.

Key Findings
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Potential use in non-academic contexts
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Summary
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Organisation Website: http://www.ncl.ac.uk