UK Cartographic Committee
BCS Committee which represents UK cartography within the International Cartographic Association
The UKCC’s role is to represent UK cartography in the international community, especially in matters relating to the UK’s membership of the International Cartographic Association (ICA). Founded in 1959, the ICA is the global organisation for promoting the disciplines and professions of cartography and GIS in an international context.
The UKCC has its origins as the Cartography Sub-Committee of the Royal Society’s Committee on Geography from 1960, before UK membership of the ICA passed from the Royal Society to the British Cartographic Society in 1990.
While operating as a Committee of BCS Council, the UKCC has always had the aim of representing UK cartography in broad terms and its membership is drawn from government agencies, commercial cartography companies, academia and other UK societies related to cartography.
The Committee normally meets annually with meetings focused on preparing for quadrennial ICA General Assemblies.
Key activities:
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To promote UK cartography to the international cartographic and scientific communities, especially the ICA
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To appoint the UK National Delegate to ICA General Assemblies
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To nominate UK members of the ICA Executive and Chairs for ICA Commissions
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To prepare and publish a report on UK cartographic activities on a 4-year cycle (UK National Reports are published in The Cartographic Journal)
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Barbara Petchenik Children’s Map Competition
The UKCC organises the biennial ICA’s Barbara Petchenik Children’s Map Competition for maps designed by children. The winners of the UK competition are then entered into the international competition and displayed as part of the map exhibition at the International Cartographic Conference.
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International Map Exhibition
The UKCC organises the UK contribution to the International Map Exhibition held biennially at international cartographic conferences. This is an ideal opportunity for UK cartographers and map publishers to display their achievements to an international audience. For more information about contributing to the Exhibition, contact the chair of the UKCC: alexander.kent@cartography.org.uk
Current UKCC membership
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BCS Council appointed chair: Dr A Kent
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Secretary: Dr D Forrest
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BCS President
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Other representatives drawn from the broader sphere of UK cartography, as appropriate
In addition, any UK member of the ICA Executive is invited to join and all UK Commission chairs and vice-chairs are corresponding members of the Committee.