A new national competence centre at Lund University will make satellite data a resource for Swedish social analysis. The centre will increase the use of Earth observation data in research and social analysis.
An enormous number of images of the Earth's surface are collected every day. When they are analysed using the right methods, they become powerful tools for research on, for example, sustainability, public health, growth and crisis preparedness.
In simple terms, satellite data can provide new knowledge about the consequences of various phenomena such as urban development, deforestation and climate change.
"The real potential lies in combining satellite images with Sweden's uniquely detailed statistics. This means that we could develop analysis that actually makes a difference," says Ola Hall, head of department and associate professor at the Department of Human Geography, Lund University.
A collaboration between several Swedish universities
The Swedish Competence Centre for Satellite-Enabled Social Science Analytics (SESAC) was inaugurated on 5 March. Through close cooperation between academia, the public sector and industry, the Centre will increase the use of satellite data in policy development, societal planning and other areas with potential societal benefit.
The Centre offers courses, hackathons and methodology support and is operated in close cooperation with researchers at several universities including Chalmers, Linköping University and Karlstad University.
"The inauguration marks the start of a new phase in which satellite data become a self-evident part of how we analyse and address complex societal challenges," says Ernesto Gutiérrez, head of innovation and societal benefit at the Swedish National Space Agency.
The Swedish National Space Agency's funding of SEK 4 million will help research results to be converted into practical, usable analysis for public authorities, decision-makers and other societal stakeholders.
