Research Group: Geospatial Engineering

Our work has many applications across the realms of science and engineering.

Our origins are in the first Joint Honours degrees in Surveying, introduced by Newcastle University in 1967. We operated for many years under the names of Surveying and later Geomatics. Since 2019 we have been Geospatial Engineering.

Our research informs our highly-rated specialist BEng, BSc, MSci and PhD degree programmes. We educate the next generation of geospatial professionals. We enjoy excellent collaborative links with industry in both research and teaching. Our graduates are highly sought by employers.

As part of UKCRIC, we lead the Newcastle Urban Observatory - the largest set of publicly-available real-time urban data in the UK. We are also part of:

• the NERC COMET+ centre of research excellence
• the Innovate UK Satellite Applications Catapult NE centre of excellence

Research

Our research spans a very broad spectrum of cutting-edge technology development and applications. From the wilds of the Antarctic and oceans to the bustle of modern cities. It has a societal impact across science and engineering.

Our research falls under three themes:

• Geospatial Data Analysis and Modelling (GDAM)
• Earth Observation (NeoLAB)
• Geodesy

Industry links and impact

We work with partners from across the world on research programmes and education. Our partners come from a diverse range of organisations. This spans from academia to global leaders in industry and government. These collaborations enable us to:

• undertake our world-leading research
• maximise impact
• deliver cutting-edge teaching programmes

We are always interested in developing new connections with collaborators and partners. Get in touch if you are interested in exploring with us. Our links with industry include:

• ARUP 
• Northumbrian Water 
• Leica Geosystems 
• Atkins 
• Seven Partnership 
• Ordnance Survey 
• SCCS 
• Heliguy 
• Fugro 
• ESRI 
• DSTL 
• IBM research

Geospatial Data Analytics and Modelling

We develop the data science and visualisation tools behind all analysis of location-based data.

Our research is both developmental and applied. We focus on the acquisition, analysis, simulation and visualisation of complex geospatial systems. Our research leads to better informed decision making and policy.

We have particular strengths in:

• environmental sensor networks and Spatial Internet of Things (IoT)
• large scale geospatial database architectures
• real-time geospatial data analytics and multi-scale spatial modelling
• visualisation of dynamic spatial datasets

Geodesy

Geodesy is the precise measurement and analysis of:

• the Earth’s changing shape and gravity field
• large-scale natural features and infrastructure

We refine the methods and application of high-precision GNSS methodologies. This provides us with a better understanding of the dynamics of the changing environment around us.

NEOLab

The Newcastle Earth Observation Laboratory develops innovative techniques in data capture. We use photogrammetry, laser scanning, synthetic aperture radar, and satellite image analysis

We investigate the methodological development and application of remote sensing, photogrammetry and laser scanning.

Earth Observation research focuses on data about the Earth’s systems. We use this data to assess the status of, or track changes in, the natural and built environments.

We use the latest remote sensing technologies, such as:

• satellite imaging
• airborne digital sensors
• unmanned aerial vehicles
• mobile mapping systems
• advanced ground-based instrumentation

These technologies provide detailed geometric and radiometric data at many spatio-temporal scales. Thus, we have unique insights into the Earth’s physical, biological and engineered systems.

Our activities include:

• sensor calibration and validation
• advanced approaches to measurement and monitoring
• novel algorithms for integrating multi-sensor data and assessment of new technologies

We apply our research in many fields, including:

• civil engineering
• precision agriculture
• natural resource management
• cultural heritage
• geohazards

Doctoral training

A key part of our PhD research training programme is our leadership of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Geospatial Systems. We are also part of the NERC IAPETUS and ONEPlanet doctoral training partnerships.

Teaching

Taught Programmes

Our Geospatial Engineering Undergraduate Programmes equip students with the professional skills they need to succeed while exposing them to real-world experiences.

Join us