[ISP] Olga Wihelmi Seminar, 11am Wednesday

[Terri Cantrell]

Bridging social and geo-sciences data with GIS

Olga Wilhelmi, CSAP/GIS, Research Applications Laboratory

11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Foothills Lab 2, room 1022 (Large Auditorium)
Refreshments served prior to seminar.


Abstract:
Earth system science community is challenged not only with integration 
of complex physical processes into weather forecast and climate 
prediction models but also with understanding the interactions between 
climate, environment, and society. Understanding societal risks and 
vulnerabilities to weather hazards and climate change requires 
interdisciplinary approach, that includes information about weather, 
climate, natural and built environment and social processes and 
characteristics. Climate-and weather-related policy and decision-making 
largely depend on usability of earth system science output and 
accessibility of data. The
NCAR?s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) program has been working 
towards integrating the Earth system and social sciences through spatial 
analysis and interoperability of georeferenced information, and towards 
improving usable science and knowledge sharing between science groups, 
educators and stakeholders. Recent advances in GIS science and 
technology and developments in the interoperability standards provide 
opportunities for innovative coupling of geo- and social sciences data 
and model outputs in GIS systems. This presentation will provide an 
overview of NCAR GIS program and discuss research directions for 
integration of geo- and social sciences in the context of extreme 
weather events and climate change. Challenges and opportunities in 
conducting interdisciplinary spatial research at various scales of 
analysis will be discussed. The presentation will also include a case 
study that explores linkages between quantitative and qualitative data 
for a more comprehensive understanding of local-level vulnerability and 
adaptive capacity to extreme heat in urban settings. A methodology for 
integration of household surveys, collected in Phoenix, Arizona into a 
quantitative spatial assessment of societal vulnerability will be discussed.

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Terri A. Cantrell
Webmaster
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