Florence, Italy

Summer Institute on Geographic Information Science - Interfacing social and environmental modeling

when 14 June 2010 - 18 June 2010
duration 1 week
fee EUR 900

Celebrating the fifth centenary of Vespucci's discoveries, the Vespucci Initiative recaptures his spirit of multi-disciplinary intellectual enquiry to explore new frontiers of knowledge. To that end it organizes and conducts a range of research and teaching activities, bringing together senior scientists and promising young researchers from around the world. This unique interdisciplinary mix creates what has been called the Medici Effect (Perhaps it is no coincidence that the summer institutes are held in Florence!). What these particular researchers have in common is a special interest in the locational aspects of societal challenges. These aspects are being studied and exploited in the emerging field of Geographic Information Science and are being implemented within the GIS, Location Based Systems (LBS) and other industries.

Course leader

Facilitators: Gilberto Camara, Henk Scholten, Eduardo Dias, Max Craglia

Target group

Who should apply?

* University researchers and faculty at all levels
* Project managers and researchers in industry and government
* Developers of LBS, SDI, and e-Government solutions

Course aim

The Summer Institute is aimed at researchers from the university, commercial, and government sectors. It provides an inspiring and productive opportunity for peer-to-peer interaction with leading international experts in the field. Participants will

* Learn the state of the art in the topic areas
* Understand and explore tomorrow's research and market challenges
* Be challenged to think laterally outside their daily work setting
* Present their own work and ideas to receive feedback and advice
* Get one-on-one access to experts in a relaxed and productive setting
* Improve presentation and team work skills
* Return home refreshed and newly motivated

The Summer Institute format is multi-faceted and will include

* Topical presentations and group projects
* Analyses of case studies
* Discussions and critique of methodology
* Skill-development sessions
* Opportunities for working on
o joint publications in international journals
o project proposals to funding agencies or management
o business plans

Fee info

EUR 900: * Members of supporting organizations: €800
* Academics: €900
* Business/other participants: €1200

Fees include tuition, local transportation, lunches and coffee breaks, 3 dinners, WIFI access, diploma of attendance.