Geography Seminars

University of Otago Department of Geography Seminar Series

The University of Otago, Department of Geography Seminar Series is a forum for diverse and lively discussion on current research in geography across the human and physical spectrum. The seminars for 2011 are divided into two fora; first the New Zealand Geographical Society (NZGS) and Department of Geography Seminar Series featuring invited speakers, and second, the Back of Four Seminar Series where staff and post-graduates can present short papers, project ideas, or readings of interest and have the group respond to them. Both seminar series are designed in order to facilitate a space for people to engage in dialogue, debate and share ideas concerning literatures, methods and geography's relationships to other disciplines.

1) NZGS/Department of Geography Seminar Series

Jointly organised with the Otago branch of the NZGS, this seminar series features invited academics and practitioners from around the country and within the University of Otago. Speakers will deliver a 40 minute presentation to be followed by a formal question session. Seminars, unless notified, will be held in room 5S3 on the 5th floor of the Richardson building at 4pm till 5pm on selected Thursdays. We are always looking for speakers, so if you want to present some work, or would like to recommend a speaker, please let us know!

Current Seminar

4pm, 4th November 2011, School of Surveying, 1st floor, Room L1


Presenter: Dr Mairéad de Róiste, Lecturer in Geographic Information Science (GIS), School of Geography, Environment and Earth Sciences Victoria University of Wellington Do users agree? Exploring users' expectations about the placement of common map elements

As web use has increased, de facto standards have emerged as best practice for the provision of information online (e.g. Neilsen, 1999 and Neilsen, 2001). Online maps have also increased dramatically with greater availability of data, hardware and software. This presentation will describe an experiment to determine whether similar web conventions exist concerning the placement of elements related to the display of geographic information . These elements range from traditional cartographic elements (such as North arrows) to interactive tools (such as pan and zoom). In the first stage of the experiment, participants were asked to place different elements within a mock web browser using an online application. In the second stage, participants working in pairs were asked to complete the same experiment using a touch table and to 'think aloud' their decisions. The presentation will discuss the results of the experiment and the application of usability tools to the area of online mapping.

Forthcoming Seminars

Previous Seminars

2) Back of Four Seminar Series

The Back of Four Seminar Series is an informal platform for staff and post-graduate students in the Department of Geography to meet and discuss current papers either in draft or in press, present dry-runs prior to conferences, or share and discuss current literatures. It is envisaged that the session will involve the presenter either leading or facilitating a discussion, or making a presentation to be followed by informal discussion. Seminars, unless notified, will be held in room 5N4 on the 5th floor of the Richardson building at 4pm till 6pm on selected Thursdays. Drinks and nibbles provided.

Current Seminar (information forthcoming)

Presenters:

Forthcoming Seminars

Previous Seminars

Seminar Alerts

Please click the following button to sign up to the Geography Seminar Series mailing list in order to receive information about upcoming meetings by email:

The series is organised by Charlie Chambers and Sarah Magar. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in presenting your work or would like to find out more.

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