Geoinformatics Research Days 2026#
The Geoinformatics Research Days (GRD) event is the annual gathering for geoinformatics experts, which has been organized by the member universities of the Finnish University Network for Geoinformatics (Fiuginet) for over 10 years. The event will take place on May 11-12, 2026, and will be organized by University of Helsinki together with the Fiuginet network, hosted in Helsinki, Finland. Attendance is free of charge.
The program includes the Final Event of the Geospatial Challenge Camp (GCC), where multidisciplinary teams of early-career researchers and students present solutions to real-world sustainability challenges using geospatial data and technologies. Learn more at the Geospatial Challenge Camp website.
Important Dates#
Abstract Submission Opens: November 24, 2025
Abstract Submission Deadline: February 6, 2026 (extended from January 8, 2026)
Notification of Acceptance: March 2026 (updated)
Registration Opens: March 2026 (updated)
Presenter Registration Deadline: April 8, 2026
Registration Closes: April 29, 2026
Conference Dates: May 11-12, 2026
Call for Abstracts#
Geoinformatics Research Days welcomes contributions from all areas of geospatial research and applications, providing an open platform for sharing ideas, methods, and innovations across the discipline. This year’s spotlight theme, Geospatial Intelligence for Sustainable Futures, explores how emerging forms of spatial intelligence and AI are transforming our understanding of people, places, and the complex systems that connect them. We invite submissions that link AI-driven geospatial innovation with questions of sustainability, resilience, biodiversity, accessibility, and spatial justice across scales—from everyday mobility to global change.
Topics of Interest#
Submissions are welcome in, but not limited to, the following areas:
Geospatial Intelligence and AI
Environmental Change, Resilience, Biodiversity and Sustainability
Urban Analytics, Mobility, and Smart Cities
Participatory GIS, Citizen Science, and Spatial Justice
Remote Sensing, Earth Observation, and Spatial Modelling
Geovisualization, Cartography, and Communication
Open Geospatial Data, Reproducibility, and FAIR Practices
Education, Methods, and Emerging Technologies in Geoinformatics
General Advances in GIScience and Geoinformatics
Your participation in the Geoinformatics Research Days 2026 will make a significant contribution, foster collaboration, and shape the future of Geoinformatics. Together, let’s advance the understanding and application of geospatial technologies for a more sustainable and interconnected world.
Submission Guidelines#
Presenters are invited to submit an abstract of a maximum of 300 words in English.
All submitted abstracts will be peer-reviewed to ensure the quality of the contributions. All accepted submissions will be given a chance to present their work at the Geoinformatics Research Days 2026.
Abstract Submission#
Attention
Abstract submission is now closed. You can still access the submission system to view or manage your submission.
Scientific Committee#
Antikainen, Harri (Dr.) University of Oulu
Di Minin, Enrico (Prof.), University of Helsinki
Hasanzadeh, Kamyar (Dr.), University of Helsinki
Järvi, Leena (Prof.), University of Helsinki
Kettunen, Pyry (Dr.), Finnish Geospatial Research Institute
Malekzadeh, Milad (Dr.), University of Helsinki
Nikander, Jussi (Dr.), Aalto University
Rinne, Tiina (Asst. Prof.), Tampere University
Toivonen, Tuuli (Prof.), University of Helsinki
Tuominen, Pekka (Dr.), University of Helsinki
Willberg, Elias (Dr.), University of Helsinki
Program#
The program includes the Final Event of the Geospatial Challenge Camp (GCC) on Monday, 11 May, 13:00–17:00, where multidisciplinary teams of early-career researchers and students present their solutions to real-world mobility and transportation challenges using geospatial data and technologies. All participants are warmly invited to join the Final Event, where they can experience fresh perspectives, practical ideas, and insights into emerging geospatial talent.
Parallel sessions are listed in a separate Parallel Sessions page, including detailed schedules, locations, chairs, and presentations.
Keynotes#
The keynote sessions feature leading research in geospatial data science and sustainability, presented by Dr. Spencer Wood (University of Washington) and Prof. Laura Ruotsalainen (University of Helsinki).
The keynotes will also be streamed online as part of GeoSPA. Online participants are required to register to receive access to the stream.
University of Washington
Professor, Principal Research Scientist and Data Science Fellow at the University of
Washington. His research applies data science and quantitative methods to
sustainability and environmental decision-making in real-world contexts,
including ecology, conservation, and sustainable development, with a focus on practical
policy and management applications.
Time: 9:30-10:30, May 11
Location: PIII (1st floor)
University of Helsinki
Professor of Spatiotemporal Data Analysis for Sustainability Science at the
University of Helsinki. Her research applies machine learning, computer vision,
and estimation methods to spatiotemporal data for sustainable smart cities, with a
focus on smart mobility and sustainability applications, and she leads research in AI for
sustainability.
Time: 9:00-10:00, May 12
Location: PIII (1st floor)
Panel Discussion#
This panel brings together experts from research, government, and industry to discuss how geospatial intelligence and innovation can support sustainable futures in practice.
Time: 14:30-15:30, May 12
Location: PIII (1st floor).
Moderator
University of Helsinki
Professor of Geoinformatics and leader of the Digital Geography Lab. Her research uses novel data sources and spatial analysis to support environmental and sustainable land use planning. She works across urban and natural systems at multiple scales, from global to local, focusing on accessibility, mobility, and biodiversity conservation.
Panelist
SYKE
Principal Researcher at the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke). Her research focuses on sustainable transport and mobility, notably using quantitative methods to assess the potential for active and sustainable travel modes. Her work links to mobility justice and circular economy perspectives related to transport infrastructure and micro-mobility.
Panelist
ICEYE
Geospatial product engineering leader focused on building actionable solutions for real-world use. He leads analytics teams that transform Earth observation and geospatial data into scalable solutions for monitoring natural hazards such as floods and wildfires. His work sits at the intersection of Earth observation, spatial modeling, and product engineering, with a background in forestry, remote sensing, and environmental research.
Panelist
City of Lahti
City Architect and Head of Urban Planning for the City of Lahti, Finland. A long-standing advocate of participatory planning, she has led pioneering map-based surveys in Lahti and Espoo with Aalto University, systematically integrating citizens’ place-based knowledge into municipal GIS and decision-making, highlighting the role of geospatial data in advancing public health, wellbeing, and sustainable, people-centered cities.
Schedule#
Registration is also possible during lunch and coffee breaks.
Venue#
The event will be held at Porthania Building, City Center Campus, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
The main room (PIII, 1st floor) is used for all sessions except when parallel sessions are running.
Parallel sessions take place on the 6th floor:
Day 1: P673
Day 2: P674
Parallel session rooms are located next to each other and are reachable by elevator or stairs.
Registration#
The event is free of charge and open to all, but registration is required. Places are limited, so we encourage you to register early to secure your spot.
We warmly invite all interested in the field to participate, including researchers, industry professionals, public sector experts, and students.
Registration is open until April 29, 2026.
Note: Presenters must register by April 8, 2026.
Practical Information#
This is a free conference. Please note:
WiFi: For connection instructions, see the University WiFi Guide.
Meals & refreshments: Coffee/tea breaks are scheduled throughout the day. Lunch is not provided, but attendees are welcome to bring their own food or explore several dining options within walking distance.
Lunch breaks: We will organize group lunch outings both days, but you are also welcome to eat elsewhere. We recommend checking menus ahead of time, as the 1-hour break is tight.
- A few suggestions for lunch places:
- University restaurants:
Porthania UniCafe in the same building, 2nd floor
Think Corner Cafe across the street from Porthania
- Other nearby restaurants:
Kluuvi shopping centre across the street from Porthania has multiple options, next to Think Corner
Aleksanterinkatu and Mikonkatu areas nearby also have many restaurants.
Accommodation & travel: No support is provided. For visitor information and local recommendations, see the University of Helsinki Visitor Guide.
Contact Us#
For questions or further information, please contact us by email at geoinfo-research-days@helsinki.fi
Event Partners and Sponsors#
