Staff Spotlight: Carmen Cabrera-Arnau
The GDSL are thriled to announce a number of new staff members. To provide you with an understanding of their background, expertise and their experiences in their new roles, we will be introducing two new staff members each week.
We are thrilled to introduce Geographic Data Science Lecturer Dr. Carmen Cabrera-Arnau. Here is what they had to say.
How do geographic data and spatial analysis techniques play a role in solving real-world problems and making informed decisions?
We live in a time of change, with sweeping transformations in technology (e.g. increased availability of data, rise of AI, improvement and deployment of sensors), society (e.g. rapid urbanisation, spread of COVID-19, push towards more equal and inclusive societies) and the environment (e.g. climate change, increased production of waste and pollution, higher economic impact of natural disasters). Having access to rigorous evidence to inform policies that help us navigate these changes is therefore crucial. Geographic data and spatial analysis are incredibly powerful, versatile tools, which can be channelled towards these key themes, and crucially, towards understanding the role of location in shaping the dynamism of our world.
Could you highlight any recent publications or research findings that have emerged from the lab, and what impact do they have on the field?
The surge in the generation of digital data has been facilitated by the widespread uptake of digital technologies, such as GPS devices, smart cards, mobile applications, or social media platforms that record users' movements. Within the Geographic Data Science Lab, we are striving to understand the opportunities that this data can offer, particularly for the study of human mobility where the spatial component is key. We also recognise that, while this data holds great promise, it is generated through the interaction between users and digital technologies, but certain population groups are more likely to engage with these technologies than others. As a result, some sections of society might be overrepresented or underrepresented, raising significant ethical questions regarding the validity of the data for policy-relevant research. A key line of work at the lab is to identify and correct biases in new forms of digital data used for the study of human mobility with the aim of unlocking its potential to inform the policy making process.