GIScience / Geoinformatics Research Group
The GIScience Research Group is engaged in innovative basic and applied research at the interface between geography and the computational sciences. We thereby focus on the investigation of user-generated geographical content (VGI, Crowdsourcing, Citizen Science), for which we develop innovative methods and analytical approaches.
More specifically, our thematic focuses are on volunteered geographic information (VGI), big spatial data analytics, smart mobility and humanitarian aid, such as disaster management.
Through the Heidelberg Institute for Geoinformation Technology (HeiGIT gGmbH) at Heidelberg University, we have the opportunity to translate our research work into practical solutions.
In addition, we support our institute's study programmes in geography with numerous courses on relevant GI methods that allow our students to formally specialize in geoinformatics.
Please note our vacancies.
Latest News
News from our daily work can be found at giscienceblog.uni-heidelberg.de (also available as RSS-Feed). You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date.
On May 15th, the Program of Scientific Computing (PROCC) at Fiocruz hosted Steffen Knoblauch, a GIScience Ph.D. candidate, for his presentation titled “GeoAI 4 Dengue: Harnessing Geospatial Big Data to Guide Vector Control.” This event, organized in partnership with The Global Health Network Latin America and the Caribbean (TGHN LAC), provided a platform for academic […]
Are you ready to take your OpenStreetMap (OSM) data analysis to the next level? We’re excited to showcase the latest features of our ohsome Dashboard, designed to provide you with insights into OSM data quality. With the ohsome Dashboard, analyzing OSM data has never been easier. Whether you’re interested in evaluating mapping saturation, currentness, or […]
Coasts are highly dynamic and multifunctional border areas between land and sea. According to the United Nations, more than a third of the world’s population lives less than 100 km from the nearest coast. They fulfill crucial functions for nature and humans and are experiencing rapid and clearly noticeable changes and threats as a result […]
In the aftermath of earthquakes, rapid and accurate assessment of infrastructure damage is crucial. The LOKI project (Airborne Observation of Critical Infrastructures), funded by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research and active from January 1, 2020, to March 31, 2023, aimed to tackle this challenge. Bringing together expertise from diverse research fields including earthquake […]
Join us at Impact Day on May 15th in the foyer of the Neue Universität, organized by the Heidelberg University! The event will showcase the university’s knowledge and technology transfer, spotlighting projects across four focal areas: socially relevant, industrial, sustainable and tangible. The “Socially Relevant” island addresses pressing social issues, while the “Industrial” island highlights […]
“Geographic Information Science for a Sustainable Future” – The theme of this year’s conference held by the Association of Geographic Information Laboratories in Europe (AGILE) in Glasgow, UK, on 4-7 June 2024. Attendees of the AGILE 2024 conference will explore the crucial role of geographic information science (GIS) in the relationships between the environment, society, […]
The 2024 Fachtagung Katastrophenvorsorge (Disaster Risk Reduction Symposium) centered around the theme “On the Edge? Disaster risk reduction in uncertain times.” Held in a hybrid format on April 22 and 23 at the Tagungswerk Berlin, this conference served as a platform to address the challenges, opportunities, and current developments in disaster prevention and management amidst […]
During GeoNight 2024, HeiGIT partnered with Mannheimer Mapathons to host a mapathon together. Mapathons are events where volunteers come together to map crucial features like roads, buildings or waterways on OpenStreetMap, often in response to specific needs or crises, such as post-earthquake or post-flood scenarios. We were privileged to connect with volunteers from OSM Ghana, gaining insight into […]
Excited to announce the CALL FOR CONTRIBUTIONS! Are you passionate about mapping with communities? Join us at the “Mapping with communities: Contemporary approaches and challenges” workshop at AGILE 2024 conference on June 04. Share your experiences, methodologies, and digital innovations in engaging communities with geospatial data. Submit your extended abstract by May 20 to mappingwithcomm@glasgow.ac.uk.
Our next Mapathon is just around the corner, and this time, we’re joining forces with OpenStreetMap Ghana to improve coverage and to help disaster risk assessment.Join us and be a part of the GeoNight 2024 to celebrate geography together in all its forms and facets! Everyone is welcome and no previous knowledge is needed!Do bring your laptop and preferably […]
The research team of the transdisciplinary project HEAL (Heat Adaptation for Vulnerable Population Groups), focusing on providing heat adaptation measures for vulnerable groups in Heidelberg, has published a research paper titled “How to assess the needs of vulnerable population groups towards heat-sensitive routing? An evidence-based and practical approach to reducing urban heat stress”. The paper […]
Pictures of the Group
GIScience team at a jour fixe meeting in 2017
GIScience team at a jour fixe meeting in 2014
GIScience team at a retreat at Trifels-Annweiler in February 2013
GIScience team at a jour fixe meeting in June 2012
In Memoriam Peter Meusburger
On 18 December 2017, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Peter Meusburger died far too soon. We mourn for a great scientist, teacher and colleague. In the mid 90s he implemented the first GIS pool at Heidelberg University and started GIS related research. He will not be forgotten. ((Message of the University)
