Steven is once again joined by old friend and "professional catornerd" Kenneth Field to discuss the question of whether or not every dataset should be turned into a map. They explore the idea that maps are a form of communication and should be used when they are the best tool for conveying information. They discuss the importance of thoughtful map design and the need to consider the audience and purpose of the map. They lament the proliferation of maps that may not be effective or meaningful. Steven and Ken discuss maps that they regret making, sharing examples of maps that they created but later realized were unnecessary, poorly designed, or insensitive. Overall, they emphasize the importance of asking the right questions and making intentional decisions when creating maps.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Ed welcomes back Joana Simoes (a five-time Geomob speaker!) to discuss the upcoming Geoob Lisbon event, which she co-organizes together with Miguel Marques. They explore the growing geospatial scene in Lisbon, the diverse presentations attendees can expect, and the importance of community engagement in the geospatial field. The conversation encourages listeners to participate and connect with others in the geospatial community. We hope to see you in Lisbon on October 2nd!

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.

Alastair is joined by old friend and former colleague Geoff Smith to discuss land cover mapping, focusing on the European products. Geoff explains his background in geospatial and his work on the UK Land Cover Map projects. They discuss the importance of existing land cover datasets like CORINE and the UK Land Cover Map, and how they can be used for localized land cover data. They also delve into the role of Copernicus, the European Earth Observation Service, and its land monitoring service. Geoff explains the concept of EAGLE, a hierarchical approach to describing land cover and land use, and how it relates to CORINE. Finally (how could it be otherwise) they touch on the potential role of AI in land cover mapping and the challenges it presents.

Show notes on the Geomob website, where you can also learn more about Geomob events and sign up for our monthly newsletter.