Welcome to the MapWindow Conference 2012 Call for Abstracts!

The call for papers is structured around the topic idea areas identified below. We are now requesting abstracts to be submitted electronically.

The topics below provide ideas to shape the event and spark the imagination of contributors. The conference schedule is built from the content we receive. If we don’t receive content that matches your particular interests then we will have no chance to include it. This is not a conclusive list of topics so please feel free to submit a paper on a subject not listed here.

The title for the Open Source GIS Conference 2012 is ‘Open source matters! Explore your world with open source GIS’.

We have submitted abstracts from all over the world: Click here for the overview.
The schedule has been finalized and the scholarships have been granted: Click here for the schedule

Scholarships

We have limited resources to provide scholarships.
If you want to apply for a scholarschip you can do so when sending in your abstract.
Do bear in mind that we have more requests than funds.
If you want to sponsor an abstract you can have a look at the sponsor page.

What do we look for in a paper abstract?

So what are the keys to success when submitting a paper abstract? Here are 4 key points to consider:

1. Please structure your abstract around the conference title and try to answer any questions given.
2. Produce an abstract with clear messaging; remember not everyone reviewing the abstract will be from your area of expertise and may misunderstand anything unclear.
3. Be appealing, your abstract ‘sells’ your paper and thus your work. Something that cannot articulate itself well at the abstract stage is unlikely to work as a presentation.
4. Be concise. Excessively long abstracts of winding prose will lose out when being marked against a minimum of 30 to 50 other abstracts looking for attention.

Topic ideas for conference paper abstracts

Infrastructure and Networks
A very hot topic at present and one that stands at the meeting place of GIS and other IT fields such as CAD, FM, Data Management, Civil Engineering Design, and so on. So where does ‘place’ sit in this mix and why is it so important? How can the policy, work practice, collaboration, data sharing and technical development aspects make a positive impact in network and infrastructure projects?

• BIM
• City models
• Asset management
• Facilities management
• Estates management
• Transport
• Workforce management

Open
Open is a major buzz-word and can be applied in so many areas, be they technical, as in Open Source software, as well as in policy and transparency driven agendas such as Open Data. Why does ‘open’ matter? What are its advantages? How do open approaches facilitate transparency, efficiency, cost savings and data sharing? What are the hazards of an open approach?

• Source
• Data
• Standards
• Solutions

Humanitarian
Natural and man-made hazards and disasters happen somewhere. What is the role of GIS in the humanitarian relief sphere? How does ‘geo’ help those dealing with humanitarian crises and civil contingencies? How does GIS and its associated technologies make a positive difference?

• Volunteering
• Geo-hazards
• Contingency planning
• Disaster relief
• Defence & Security

Business Intelligence
Where are the assets? Where are the markets? Where are the people? And what characteristics typify each? Whether it is targeting retail, community health, finance, insurance, risk modelling or running a national census what can we learn from the application of GIS in these areas and how does it facilitate sharing and collaboration in seeking better outcomes?

• Location analysis
• Retail analysis
• Demographic targeting
• Risk modelling
• Census

Big Data
How can GIS and the power of place make a positive impact in handling data sets and collections of data that are so large as to spread beyond a single server, department, organisation, or even country?

• Data mining
• Real time analysis
• Dashboards
• INSPIRE
• Data.gov
• Open data
• Interoperability
• Integration
• Archives

Business Models
The delivery of data and services is changing and we’d like a perspective of how these new approaches are making a tangible impact. Where is the Cloud and Shared Services a reality? What can we learn from these business models? Do any of these models throw up privacy issues and if so where is the balance found between protecting the individual versus gaining benefits from these platforms.

• Cloud
• Shared services
• Connected services
• Privacy versus enablement

Visualisation/Cartography
Effective visualisation and cartographic communication is of fundamental importance to getting your message across correctly and efficiently. Good quality output never looses its effectiveness and neither do the detrimental effects of poor quality mapping and visualisation. We welcome abstracts that tackle both classic techniques as well as new ideas in these areas.

Sharing Best Practice
Positive outcomes in business, communities and government cannot happen in isolation. How does GIS facilitate collaboration and sharing to create better ways of doing business and administration? What are the pitfalls and opportunities involved? How can we better architect a business case to gain support for a new venture involving GIS? How were you successful in your own efforts?

• Business strategy
• Licensing and charging
• Business case development
• Best practice
• Geo rights management

Localism and Citizen Engagement
How does ‘geo’ play a role in managing policy, assets and resources at the point in the local community that best serves local requirements, priorities and interests? How can GIS and the ‘place’ appeal to the citizen and engage them? What, if any, pitfalls are there?

• Community mapping
• Empowerment
• Social policy
• Census
• Reconfiguring health
• Access to services
• Public safety

Energy & Resources
The world is witnessing increasing demands and tensions over access to resources, the amount of resources available and their cost. Where does GIS play a part in the energy and resource landscape? How can GIS help protect and sustain resources and the environment? How can it help the more effective use and replenishment of resources? How can it help in future assessment and planning? How does it help bring disparate groups and organisations together?

• Smart metering
• Renewables
• Efficiency
• Marine & Coastal