Open data maps for academics

Jisc has launched an improved Jisc Geospatial data service, which will give universities and colleges access to licensed and open data, together with satellite imagery in one easy-to-use interface.

Working in partnership with Airbus, Jisc, a not for profit company providing UK universities and colleges with shared digital infrastructure and services, has used its expertise to build a commercial quality platform that will develop the skills students need to succeed in the real world. It will provide universities and colleges easy and free access to more than 1.6 million geographical datasets from around the world, including the most comprehensive index of maps ever brought together.

What data is included?

The Geospatial data service includes:

Open data and licensed data together in one platform

Geospatial data:

  • Gives you access to over 1.6 million open geographical datasets from 200,000 services across the world
  • Integrates GeoSeer which allows you to search for spatial data by location and subject
  • Reviews multiple search results at once by overlaying any of the datasets to study and compare changes in the landscape over time

Download, upload and share data

It’s easy to download data for use in other applications such as geographic information systems, including ArcGIS, increasing the uses across teaching and research. Students can also upload their own data, including data from apps and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAVs). You can also import and export web map service (WMS) files.

The Jisc service brings open data and licensed data together in one interface, integrating GeoSeer, a new search tool, which can search for spatial data by location and subject. It also offers the opportunity to review multiple search results at once by overlaying any of the datasets to study and compare changes in the landscape over time.

Early in 2020, Airbus’ Vision-1 satellite imagery will complete this dataset, allowing researchers to focus on specific locations across the world, with fine and up-to-date details. Jisc is looking to work with universities to explore how GeoSeer, and Vision-1 data can enhance research

More information

Find out more on the Jisc website

Geospatial data is currently available as a no cost, optional service for Higher Education members until July 2020 and as a free service for Further Education members until July 2021.

Visit Geospatial Data 

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