Government recognises achievements of its geographers in fourth annual awards

The fourth annual Geography in Government Awards took place on Wednesday 25th May 2022 at Geovation in London. It celebrates the work done by members of the geography profession across the public sector. The awards were presented by Nigel Clifford Deputy Chair of the Geospatial Commission.

This year had a record number of nominations across the 6 categories, the winners of those categories were;

Advancing Geospatial Data Science

Automation of the updates to the Statistical Geographies for 2021 Census by Geography Data Products and Operations Team at Office for National Statistics

Contribution to Policy Development

Digital Exclusion Risk Index by Digital inclusion, Digital & Research at Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

Modelling the geography of land use change by Spatial Data Science, Systems Innovation and Futures, and Land Use Policy teams at Defra.

Excellence in Geo-visualisation

Green Infrastructure Mapping Database (Beta Version 1.1) by Green Infrastructure Standards Mapping team at Natural England, Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA)

Excellence in Local and Regional Public Sector

Know Your Audience: Segmenting Westminster’s Communities by Strategy and Intelligence Team at Westminster City Council (WCC)

Operational Delivery

Using mapping data to transform Scotland’s Land Register by Mapping Domain at Registers of Scotland

Making a Difference in Geography

Contribution to Women+ in Geospatial Network by GGP members of the Women+ in Geospatial leadership team

Alistair Calder – Office for National Statistics

Overall winner of Government in Geography Award 2022

From all the categories an overall winner was selected, this year it was jointly won by;

Digital Exclusion Risk Index by Digital inclusion, Digital & Research at Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Modelling the geography of land use change by Spatial Data Science, Systems Innovation and Futures, and Land Use Policy teams at Defra.

The overall winners will be presented their award at prestigious RGS (with IBG) medals and awards ceremony in June.

David Wood, Head of Government Geography Profession said ‘every year the members of the Government Geography Profession demonstrate their expertise and professionalism, showing how geographers are crucial to policy decisions and local delivery. These awards showcase this impact and always makes judging very competitive.’

If you are a geographer working in government you are able to access a range of support from webinars to job opportunities via its member site or by visiting the Government Geography Profession organisation page.