Geomob

Ed and Steven discuss the intersection of AI and mapping, exploring how AI tools can assist in creating various types of maps, including political atlases and maps of social issues like inequality and gun crime. They reflect on the challenges and successes of using AI for coding and data processing, the importance of documentation, and the evolving landscape of open-source software in the age of A...

Steven interviews Bojan Šavrič, a senior software development engineer at Esri, who specializes in map projections. They discuss the complexities of map projections, the importance of selecting the right one based on the map's purpose, and delve into the Equal Earth projection, which aims to provide a more accurate representation of the world. The conversation also touches on the campaign 'Correct...

In the final episode of the Geomob podcast for 2025, hosts Ed and Steven reflect on the past year, discuss the evolving role of AI in geocoding and data maintenance, and recap recent Geomob events in Berlin and Barcelona. They explore innovations in cycling infrastructure, the importance of citizen science, and the challenges posed by GPS technology. The conversation highlights the advancements in...

Merry Christmas! In this festive Geomob podcast, the co-hosts reflect on the past year, celebrating achievements within the geospatial community, discussing highlights from various events, and sharing personal triumphs. They also explore gift ideas for geo enthusiasts and set goals for the podcast in the coming year, emphasizing the importance of emerging voices in the industry and the need for ho...

New Geomob host Denise discusses the recently released AGI Foresight Report with Richard Flemmings, CEO of Map Impact. They explore the significance of the report, its findings, and the reflections from the AGI conference. Key themes include the evolution of geospatial technology, the importance of skills development, and the global relevance of the report's insights. The conversation emphasizes t...

The conversation provides a detailed review of the FOSS4G:UK 2025 conference, highlighting its significance as a return to in-person events after a long hiatus. Alastair discusses the organisation, positive feedback, and the engaging talks and workshops that took place. He emphasises the importance of community involvement and the successful logistics of the event, as well as the insights shared b...

Our guest is Dirk Voets, organizer of Geomob Netherlands, which started in 2024. Dirk looks back on the progress since then. We discuss the Dutch geospatial scene generally, and look forward to the upcoming January event (rescheduled from December). The conversation explores the importance of community in the geospatial field, emphasizing the value of sharing experiences and learning from failures...

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Alastair speaks with Freddie Hunter from Forest Research about the innovative mapping of Trees Outside Woodlands across England. They discuss the importance of this data set for ecological monitoring, the methodologies used for data processing, and the various applications of the data in tree planting and carbon assessment. Freddie also shares insights into q...

Ed's guest is Felix Palmer, introducing the A5 discrete global grid system. The conversation explores the intriguing concept of tiling pentagons, revealing that while it may seem impossible, it can be achieved by altering the angles of the vertices. The discussion also delves into the implications of projections from geometric shapes like the icosahedron to the sphere, highlighting how these proje...

Alastair hosts this special, listener-suggested episode by introducing the topic of lost ponds: how to find them and why they matter. Darren Tansley of the Essex Wildlife Trust then joins Alastair to discuss the project to map and restore these lost ponds across the UK. They cover the surprising scale of habitat loss, the methodology used by citizen scientists relying on historical and modern maps...

Ed and Steven recap the recent GeomobLON event, discussing the turnout, speaker highlights, and the overall atmosphere. They reflect on the challenges of organizing free events, the importance of geospatial data in policy-making, and the diverse range of topics covered by speakers. The conversation also touches on upcoming events in various cities and the need for community engagement. Show notes...

In this episode of the podcast, host Steven welcomes back James Cheshire, a professor of geographic information and cartography at UCL, to discuss his latest book, 'The Library of Lost Maps.' The conversation explores the evolution of cartography, the significance of thematic maps, and the historical context of mapping practices. Cheshire shares insights into the stories behind various maps and ma...

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, Steven speaks with James Norris, the head of International Affairs at Ordnance Survey, about the evolving role of national mapping agencies in a digital world. They discuss the significance of the Cambridge Conference, the changing landscape of geospatial data, the importance of trust in mapping, and the impact of technology on the future of mapping. The conv...

In this special episode of the Geomob podcast, Steven introduces the newest host for Geomob, Denise McKenzie and then hands over the hosting duties. Denise shares her journey in the geospatial sector. Then the conversation explores the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry, reflections on the podcast's evolution over 300 episodes, and the significance of having women repre...

In this episode, Ed and Steven discuss their recent experiences at various conferences, including the IoT conference in Amsterdam and Geomob Berlin. They highlight the importance of community engagement in the geospatial field, share insights on mapping contributions, and announce upcoming events. The conversation also touches on job opportunities within the community and the introduction of a new...

Ed interviews Matt Forrest from Whereobots, discussing the evolution of geospatial technology, the importance of cloud-native solutions, and the challenges of data privacy. Matt shares his journey in the GIS field, the services offered by Whereobots, and the educational resources he provides to help others navigate the complexities of geospatial data processing. Show notes on the Geomob website ,...

Ed interviews Maik Busch, the creator of VulkanMaps, a new software that leverages graphics processing units to render OpenStreetMap data locally. Mike shares his background in geospatial technology, the evolution of VulkanMaps over the past decade, and the technical innovations that make it possible. The conversation explores the differences between traditional map rendering methods and VulkanMap...

In this episode, Ed and Steven reflect on their summer experiences, celebrate listener engagement, and discuss upcoming events in the geocommunity. They share insights on business updates, challenges with large customers, and milestones such as Mappery's 7th birthday. The conversation also touches on the ease of organizing local geomob events and the importance of community involvement. Show notes...

Join us for episode 302. of the Geomob Podcast as Steven hosts Will Cadell of SparkGeo to discuss the GEOFESTO, a manifesto for the geospatial sector. They delve into five key principles that aim to reshape how geospatial professionals approach their work, from promoting spatial thinking to fostering collaboration and focusing on outcomes. Show notes on the Geomob website , where you can also lear...

Episode 301. of the Geomob Podcast sees Alastair interview Greta Vega, a lead ecologist at Versant. From her early days digitising data to her current role using geospatial tools for ecological compensation, Greta shares her insights on the intersection of ecology and technology. Discover how her work is shaping the future of renewable energy projects and the importance of visualising data for imp...

This isn't just a normal episode... this is Episode 300 of the Geomob Podcast! Join hosts Ed, Steven, and Alistair as they reflect on their journey, memorable episodes, and the impact of their community. They discuss the importance of feedback, the potential for new formats, and their aspirations for future episodes, including the possibility of new hosts and exploring diverse topics within the ge...

In the latest episode of the Geomob podcast, Richard Conway from Telespazio discusses the EOEPCA initiative with Alastair. EOEPCA is an ESA project aimed at improving the interoperability of Earth Observation platforms. He explains the architecture of EOEPCA and its evolution into EOEPCA+, emphasising the importance of stakeholder engagement and open-source development. The conversation also cover...

In this episode of the Geomob podcast, hosts Ed and Steven are joined by Ed Parsons for a rich conversation about the evolution of geospatial technology, the impact of Google on the industry, and the future of geospatial data. They discuss the transition from corporate life to freelancing, the importance of community in the geospatial field, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. Th...

In this episode of the Geomob Podcast, host Steven welcomes Ian James, who shares his extensive career at the Ordnance Survey. James, who spent over 40 years at the organization, discusses the dramatic evolution of cartography from traditional paper maps to modern digital databases. He reflects on the challenges of digitization, the impact of open data on the mapping industry, and the future of na...

Ed interviews Olivia Ragone, a GIS data officer at the National Trust, discussing the integration of OpenStreetMap in the mapping the UK's historic sites and trails. Olivia shares insights into the challenges faced in mapping, the importance of community engagement, and the future of interactive mapping for visitors. The conversation highlights the significance of open data in conservation efforts...