Future U.S. Workforce for Geospatial Intelligence

NRC Mapping Science Committee and

Board on Higher Education and Workforce

Lea ShanleyNGAC Meeting, December 8, 2010

National Research Council

• NRC is the policy arm of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and Institute of Medicine.

• Mapping Science Committee (MSC) oversees NRC reports on geospatial science, technology, and policy.

NAS

NAE

IOM

NR

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NRC GEOINT Studies

• 2006 study identified “hard” problems• 2010 workshop identified new research directions• 2010-2011 follow-on study of workforce issues

Study Context

• The scientific areas that have traditionally supplied NGA analysts have evolved significantly in academia over the past few decades

• New research areas are increasingly being incorporated into the production of geospatial intelligence

Committee Tasks

• Examine the current availability of U.S. experts in geospatial intelligence disciplines and approaches and the anticipated U.S. availability of this expertise for the next 20 years.

• Identify any gaps in the current or future availability of this expertise relative to NGA's need.

Committee Tasks

• Describe U.S. academic, government laboratory, industry, and professional society training programs for geospatial intelligence disciplines and analytical skills.

• Suggest ways to build the necessary knowledge and skills to ensure an adequate U.S. supply of geospatial intelligence experts for the next 20 years, including NGA intramural training programs or NGA support for training programs in other venues.

Focus

NGA core areas• remote sensing and

imagery science • photogrammetry and

geomatics • geodesy and

geophysics • cartographic science • GIS and geospatial

analysis

Emerging areas (identified at a 2010 NRC workshop), such as• visual analytics• human geography• participatory sensing• space-time models• geospatial narratives

Approach

• Establish an expert committee to gather and analyze data and to prepare the report– NGA core and emerging areas – Education and workforce issues

• Data collection– Federal data (e.g., Dept of Labor, NSF, Census)– Professional society surveys (e.g., ASPRS, AGI,

AAG)– Interviews with colleagues, university department

chairs and program directors– Other sources

Schedule

• Fall 2010: Nominations for committee members gathered and vetted– Appointments to be approved by the National

Academies presidents

• Winter-Summer 2011: 4 committee meetings• Fall 2011: Report preparation & peer review• Jan 2012: Report release & dissemination

Contact Information

Anne Linn, Study directorCommittee on the Future U.S. Workforce for

Geospatial Intelligence National Research CouncilPh: (202) 334-2744Email: alinn@nas.eduhttp://dels.nas.edu/global/besr/MSC