Event: Workshop in Geographical Information Systems, Oct. 13 - 14

Two-day Workshop in Geographical Information Systems in universities, libraries, museums and archives sponsored by the Centre for Data Digitisation and Analysis, Queen’s University and the Polis Center, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

Belfast, October 13 - 14 2005

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are fast becoming the preferred technology for managing and presenting information in university humanities and social science departments, in museums, in libraries and in archives. Its capacity to integrate and map data by geographical location and chronology makes it an ideal tool for associating disparate research datasets, museum objects and collections or archival records. Implementing a geographic information system (GIS) means making a number of difficult decisions and each of those decisions will affect the success of a project. This workshop will provide guidance on the correct judgments to make and includes assessing the need for GIS, developing an implementation strategy, assessing costs, reviewing training needs and evaluating the benefits and returns. The workshop will focus on introducing a variety of data resources that can be integrated into a GIS as well as procedures for translating existing data into a GIS environment. There will be discussion of specific issues associated with developing, managing, visualising, and analysing temporal and spatial data of interest to the archives, library and research community.

Hands-on experience of one of the key GIS software packages, ArcGIS 9, will be provided with introductory sessions on GIS terms and concepts; an Overview of ArcGIS and basic navigation techniques; ArcGIS symbology tools, ArcGIS Query Tools; and creating Data in ArcGIS. On completion attendees will have a working knowledge of the software.

Costs: Two day course: £250

Cheques, made payable to Queen’s University, should be sent to Elaine Yeates, Centre for Data Digitisation and Analysis, School of Geography, Queen’s University, Belfast, BT7 1NN, UK including your full contact details with e-mail address. Confirmation of bookings, and further information on the workshop will be sent by return.

Location: Queen’s University main campus

Dates: October 13^th and 14^th 10am-4pm. A lunch will be provided between 1pm and 2pm

Instructors

Dr Paul S. Ell, Centre for Data Digitisation and Analysis, School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, E- mail paul.ell@qub.ac.uk.

Dr Ian N. Gregory, Centre for Data Digitisation and Analysis, School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Room, E-mail ian.gregory@qub.ac.uk.

Kevin Mickey, Director, Professional Education and Outreach, The Polis Center IndianaUniversity Purdue University Indianapolis, 1200 Waterway Boulevard Indianapolis, Indiana 46202., E-mail: kmickey@iupui.edu