At the recent AAG 2025 conference in Detroit, Alex Singleton and Patrick Ballantyne from the Geographic Data Service with Clio Andris from Georgia Tech organised a session called: “Bridging Gaps with Maps: Turning Geographic Data into Actionable Insight for Organisations, Policy Makers and the Public“, which showcased powerful applications of geographic data science in solving real-world challenges.
Despite being the second to last session on the final day of the conference, the team attracted an engaged audience and four innovative papers were presented that highlighted how spatial analysis and interactive visualizations are informing better decisions, driving policy actions, and empowering communities.
Mapping Compound Inequality: A Data-Driven Framework for Strategic Investment in the Liverpool City Region
Researchers developed a data-driven framework to strategically tackle compound inequalities across the Liverpool City Region. An interactive dashboard guided regional stakeholders in allocating over £1 billion in investments, demonstrating how geographic insights support equitable urban development.
Alex Singleton , University of Liverpool; Patrick Ballantyne, University of Liverpool
Interactive Visualizations Create the Trust in Data Needed for Policy Action : A Story About How One Visualization Changed US Migration Policy
This presentation revealed how interactive visualizations built policymakers’ trust in data, directly influencing U.S. migration policy. Digital and physical data visualizations significantly increased stakeholder understanding and catalysed meaningful policy conversations.
Sarah Williams , Massachusetts Institution of Technology
The video that was presented during the talk can be seen here:
Data After Dark: Creating A Detailed Spatial Representation of London’s Nightworkers
A comprehensive study commissioned by the Mayor of London created an unprecedented spatial representation of the city’s night workers. Leveraging traditional census and innovative mobile phone data, this research provides crucial insights that help tailor policies to this often-overlooked workforce segment.
James Cheshire , University College London
Community-engaged co-design of 3D urban models of historically Black neighborhoods: The Ghost Neighborhoods of Columbus project
Using machine learning and historical mapping, this community-engaged project reconstructed historically Black neighborhoods impacted by urban development practices. The collaboration with local organizations and residents aims to facilitate restorative justice through immersive, interactive 3D experiences.
Harvey Miller, Ningchuan Xiao, Jordan Swaim-Fox, Ahmad Ilderim Tokey, Mahnoush Mostafavisabet, Mostahidul Alam, Tshui Mum Ha, Karyn Kerdolff, The Ohio State University
Many thanks to the audience and all of our speakers:
