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

The Geography Data Products and Operations Team at Office for National Statistics for automation of the updates to the Statistical Geographies for the 2021 Census.

Advancing geospatial data science

Contribution to policy development (joint winners)

The Digital & Research team at Greater Manchester Combined Authority for developing the Digital Exclusion Risk Index by Digital inclusion.

Contribution to policy development1

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

Contribution to policy development

Excellence in Geo-visualisation

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

Excellence in Geo-visualisation

Excellence in Local and Regional Public Sector

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

Excellence in Local and Regional Public Sector

Operational Delivery

Mapping Domain at Registers of Scotland for using mapping data to transform Scotland’s Land Register.

Operational delivery

Making a difference in Geography (joint award)

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

Making a Difference in Geography

Alistair Calder – Office for National Statistics

Making a Difference in Geography2

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 were presented their award at the 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.