Geospatial Analytics and Computing (GSAC)
UCL Geography’s GSAC cluster studies everything from spatial data and social systems to AI-enabled mapping, using geospatial analysis and modelling to address economic, social, and policy challenges.
GSAC researches and develops best practice through:
- Assembling, linking, visualising, and analysing diverse data sources
- Developing mathematical, probabilistic, and computational models of social systems
- Designing systems for sensing, modelling, and predicting human activities using digital traces
- Critical engagement with geographically enabled AI methods
- Applications in social/spatial mobility, housing, demography, disaster risk, urban design, retail, epidemiology, public health
- Cross-disciplinary research with computer science, civil and geomatic engineering, materials science, bioscience
- Teaching initiatives (Q-Step) and publications (e.g., Geographic Information Science and Systems, London: the Information Capital)
Funding and Supervision
Members hold grants from various funding sources and supervise many PhD students. Alumni and postdocs have gone on to academic or senior industry/government roles.
Active Projects
The cluster’s primary active affiliated grant project is the ESRC Geographic Data Service (GeoDS) (2025–2029), succeeding the Consumer Data Research Centre.
Cluster Lead
Paul Longley is Professor of Geographic Information Science and directs the ESRC Geographic Data Service (GeoDS) at UCL. A GIScientist and urban geographer, he has published widely, supervised more than 70 intending PhD students, and contributed to numerous grants, journals, and public engagement initiatives.
- Dr Maurizio Gibin
- Dr Yatao Zhang
- Matthew Hopkinson, Honorary Professor of Practice
- Rob Davidson
- Savas Hadjipavlou
- Michal Iliev
- Johara Meyer
- Panpan Zhang
- Gleb Suvorov
- Luc Wilson
- Michael Xiao
- Panpan Zhang
- Dr Bin Chi
- Hamish Gibbs
- Abigail Hill
- Byeongwha Jeong
- Jens Kandt
- Shunya Kimura
- Tian Lan
- Alfie Long
- Mikaella Mavrogeni
- Sarah Sheppard
- Louise Sieg
- Jason Tang
- Nikki Tanu
- Rebecca Trumble
- Dr Henrikki Tenkanen
- James Todd
- Jakub Wyszomierski
Study BA Geography & Data Science
Combine geographic analysis with social data science. Learn to map, interpret, and solve real-world social and economic challenges.
Explore the BAStudy BSc Geography at UCL
Explore geospatial data, AI mapping, and social systems with UCL researchers. Learn to solve real-world economic, social, and policy challenges.
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