GeoFutures
Share your vision. What will maps of the future be like?
BCS held its GeoFutures Workshop on 25th March 2026 at Trinity House, London
An iconic historical location for envisioning the future
"A hugely successful, informative and fun day, which set the foundations for a GeoFutures Report and Action Plan that will help BCS drive forward it's GeoViz Programme. We had a fabulous array of speakers with a wide range of experience and knowledge and an audience that fully embraced the discussions. As a result BCS is well placed to help support the needs of the geospatial community as it develops and embraces innovative ways to create and consume maps in all their forms."
Seppe Cassettari
Contributors to the event:
Nick Bolton - Ordnance Survey | Sheikh Fakhar Khalid – Sensat
Richard Flemmings - Association for Geographic Information | Liz Fox-Tucker - Royal Geographical Society | s
Vivien Godfrey - Stanford | Aaron Jarman – UK Hydrographic Office
James Kavanagh - Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors | Jo Kent - British Library
Simon Musaeus - European Association of Aerial Survey Industries. | Ed Parsons - Consultant, formerly Google
Olive Powell - Office for National Statistics | Iris Rodenbuesch - GIS Analyst, GeoPlace | Subaru Shimizu - Data Analyst, GeoPlace
Steve Spittle - UK Space Catapult | Vikrant Karandikar - GeoSpatial Entrepreneur, India
Alina Vizireanu - Milton Keynes City Council | Mark Wigley - Swiss Carto Society | David Wood - Government Geography Profession
GeoFutures One Day Workshop - Watch all the contributions on the BCS YouTube channel
Introduction
1. Introducing GeoFutures - Seppe Cassettari
2. Welcome to the GeoFutures event - Paul Naylor
3. AGI Foresight Report - Richard Flemmings
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Vision talks from our speakers
4. GeoFutures Vision - UK Space Catapult - Steve Spittle
5. GeoFutures Vision - ONS - Olive Powell
6. GeoFutures Vision - RGS - Liz Fox-Tucker
7. GeoFutures Vision - Swiss Society of Cartography - Mark Wigley
8. GeoFutures Vision - RICS - James Kavanagh
9. GeoFutures Vision - EAASI - Simon Musaeus
10. GeoFutures Vision - BL - Jo Kent
11. GeoFutures Vision - Geoplace - Irisi Rodenbuesch and Subaru Shimizu
12. GeoFutures Vision - SENSAT - Sheikh Fakhar Khalid
13. GeoFutures Vision - Vikrant Karandikar - Indian entrepreneur
14. GeoFutures Vision - Milton Keynes BC - Alina Vizireanu
15. GeoFutures Vision - UKHO - Aaron Jarman
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Facilitators from the morning discussion groups feedback
16. Group Discussions AM - Group A - Nick Bolton OS
17. Group Discussions AM - Group B - Vivien Godfrey Stanfords
18. Group Discussions AM - Group C - Ed Parsons
19. Group Discussions AM - Group D - Richard Flemmings AGI
20. Group Discussions AM - Group E - James Kavanagh RICS
21. Group Discussions AM - Group F - Liz Fox-Tucker RGS
22. Group Discussions AM - Group G - Olive Powell ONS
23. Group Discussions AM - Group H - Simon Musaeus EAASI
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Facilitators from the afternoon discussion groups feedback
24. Group Discussions PM - Group A - Jo Kent British Library
25. Group Discussions PM - Group B - Iris Rodenbuesch GeoPlace
26. Group Discussions PM - Group C - David Wood GGP
27. Group Discussions PM - Group D - Liz Fox-Tucker RGS
28. Group Discussions PM - Group E - Olive Powell ONS
29. Group Discussions PM - Group F - Sheikh Fakhar Khalid SENSAT
30. Group Discussions PM - Group G - Simon Musaeus EAASI
31. Group Discussions PM - Group H - Steve Spittle UK Space Catapult
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Final thoughts from our key speakers
32. Final Thoughts Nick Bolton OS
33. Final Thoughts Richard Flemmings AGI
34. Final Thoughts Vivien Godfrey Stanfords
35. Final Thoughts Ed Parsons
The GeoFutures event was about how we see geospatial data visualization evolving over the next couple of decades and what we need to do in terms of data collection and systems design in order to make the most of the opportunities and challenges that present themselves.
The day was an interactive workshop with short vision statements, group discussions and a round up of views. We recorded all the contributions for the BCS YouTube channel and plan to complete a report to be published in the Cartographic Journal and online.
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Since the computing revolution of the 1980's and the introduction of the first GIS packages, mapping has fundamentally changed. Computing power, screen devices, data sharing, survey methods, geo analytics and cartographic tools that exist today could hardly have been dreamt of 40 years ago.
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So what will a map be like in 10 years, 20 years or even 30 years' time?​ We want your vision of the future and help to plan the routemap for getting there.
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The UK has a proud tradition of being a global leader in developing mapping and charting for our world. Join us for a one day 'brainstorming' event where we shall share ideas and consider the possibilities. No matter how much it might feel like science fiction, we know the speed of change will be enormous. Let's work together to keep the UK at the forefront of geospatial innovation.​
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