AGILE Data Access Initiative

1. AGILE Data Access Initiative • Proposed Nov 2008 by David Medyckyj-Scott • Supported by • by SADL/K.U. Leuven, Belgium • IACM, FORTH, Heraklion, Greece. • EuroGeographics: liaison with NMCAs • ESDIN • In the UK, by the Joint Information Systems Committee • Links to the implementation of INSPIRE; AGILE's involvement in the Persistent Testbed, and a possible European academic SDI • Limited funding…

2. Whats the problem? • Access to core geospatial data sets (topographic, administrative, hydrography, etc.) is critical for academic research in almost every discipline • more and more researchers, teachers and students appreciate the value of introducing a spatial dimension to scientific investigation and problem solving • National Mapping and Cadastral Agencies (NMCAs) are the leading providers of quality geospatial data across Europe • In many countries it’s difficult for researchers to gain access to the sorts of data provided by NMCAs - many barriers exist • Trans national research is even harder to do • But evidence is anecdotal… • Higher Education in Europe should be an important market for the NMCAs • there are around 4,000 Higher Education institutions • with over 17 million students and 1.5 million staff

3. Two online surveys in 2009: • Survey of NMCAs • Sent to 52 member institutions from 43 countries • Focus – “how easy is it for individuals in Higher Education (HE) to gain access to the geospatial data sets produced by your organisation?” • Survey of Academic Users – their experiences • Sent out on AGILE mailing lists and other forums • Various other individuals have contacted us

4. Key Findings - NMCAs • Topographic data provided by most agencies. Cadastral data is more restricted • Majority make 80%+ of their data available and it’s current • Terms of use are similar • e.g. not to be passed to 3rd party, not to be used for commercial research, restrictions on sizemaps published • Most provide data on CD or DVD; 5 have on-line services • 16 NMCA’s did not respond to the question on negotiating a national agreement and the other 2 said ‘No’ they were not interested • Majority negotiate with institutions directly • 68% receive requests for data from individuals based in HE OUTSIDE of their country, most try to provide data • Most would be interested in making their data available to academics and students in other European countries

5. Key findings – User’s Experience • Even spread of responses across the types of institutions respondents came from and their role e.g. researcher, teaching • 30% geographers but wide spread across other disciplines e.g. civil engineering, earth sciences, planning • 86% said it was very important or important for them to have access to geospatial data from their NMCA • 50% said it was very important or important for them to have access to geospatial data for another European country • Biggest barriers are cost of the data and complexity/restrictions imposed by the licences • Most felt it was the responsibility of each institution to negotiate with the NMCA for access

6. Consequences • Good evidence to persuade NMCAs there is a market • Basis for taking forward • Negotiating on an institution by institution basis is not cost or time effective, national agreements are the way to go • Reciprocal licences are required for cross border access and sharing but also requires a European wide access control scheme to be in place • Organisations like EuroGeographics, AGILE, EuroSDR, OGC?, etc, need to come together to push through change