Projects per year
Personal profile
Research interests
I'm a geographer working in field of research called geocomputation, which is concerned with the use of computational methods for processing, analysing, and visualising geographic data.
Current research interests include exploring the integration of natural language processing (NLP), AI, and geographical information systems (GIS), and developing automated computing solutions for tackling complex and data-intensive geospatial analysis problems. I have recently started moving into the field of accessibility modelling, supporting colleagues in USW’s GIS Research Centre who have a strong record of delivering innovative and impactful research in this area. I also maintain an interest in the application of 3D landscape visualisation technologies for collaborative environmental planning.
I am also affliated to the Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD) - a national, interdisciplinary social science research institute.
Prior to re-joining USW, I spent 11 years working at the Countryside and Community Research Institute (University of Gloucestershire) where I was involved in a wide range of environmental and social science research projects – both academic and contract research/consultancy.
I have worked on many different types of research projects from major UKRI and EU Horizon projects to contract research and consultancy for UK government agencies (e.g. Defra, Natural England, Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales), local authorities, businesses, and third sector organisations. I am open to collaborating in a wide range of areas on projects where the processing/analysis/visualisation of geospatial information is a key component.
Details of my research outputs can be accessed here.
Teaching interests
I contribute to teaching and student project supervision on USW’s MSc Computing and Information Systems and BSc Computing degree programmes. Current modules include:
Postgraduate
- IS4S765 Big Data and Analytics (R programming for data science)
- IS4S703 ICT Systems Development (PostgreSQL, SQL, PL/pgSQL, PostGIS)
- IS4T702 MSc Project (Master's project supervision)
- IS4S706 Project Management and Research Methodology (Thesis writing & quantitative research methods)
Undergraduate
- IS3S662 Advanced Databases and Modelling (Object-oriented system design)
- IS3S665 GIS and the Spatial Web (Web mapping and spatial analysis with PostGIS)
- IS3D660 Individual Project – Informatics (Final year project supervison)
- IS3S661 Strategic IS Management (Business planning and IT project management)
Experience
I have been working as an academic in higher education since starting my career as an hourly-paid lecturer in 2004 when I was a PhD student at the School of Computing, University of Glamorgan (now USW).
Since then, I have been involved in teaching GIS and informatics subjects to undergraduate and postgraduate students from a wide range of subject backgrounds, such as computing, human and physical geography, social sciences, biology, ecology, criminology, landscape architecture and urban planning.
I am an active academic researcher who regularly engages with the latest research, journals, and publications in my areas of interest. I have been involved in producing around 50 research outputs, including publications in international journals, conference papers, book chapters, and technical/consultancy reports.
Expertise
- Informatics
- Geographical information systems (GIS)
- Geocomputation
- Geoinformatics
- Data science
- Cartography
- Teaching
- Research
- Student supervision
- Tendering/bid writing
- Project management
Skills
- Free and open source software (FOSS) for informatics teaching and research.
- Desktop GIS software: now mainly QGIS and GeoDa, but have experience with many different products - ESRI, Erdas, MapInfo etc.
- Programming languages: particularly R for reproducible research and data science.
- Databases: Postgres/PostGIS, SQLite, and others.
- 3D landscape visualisation.
Supervision
- MRES and PhD project supervision.
Other Interests
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS) since 2004
Education/Academic qualification
Geographical Information Systems, PhD
Geographical Information Systems , MSc
Geography, BSc
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Active
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People, Places and the Public Sphere
Higgs, G., Langford, M., Berry, R. & Webb, L.
1/10/24 → 30/09/27
Project: Research
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Digital tools for participatory environmental decision-making: challenges, opportunities, and future directions
Hafferty, C., Babelon, I., Berry, R., Brockett, B. & Hoggett, J., 15 May 2024, Opening Windows: Embracing New Perspectives and Practices in Natural Resource Social Sciences. Sherren, K., Thondhlana, G. & Jackson-Smith, D. (eds.). Utah State University Press, p. 178-198Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Engagement in the digital age: Understanding “what works” for participatory technologies in environmental decision-making
Hafferty, C., Reed, M., Brockett, B., Orford, S., Berry, R., Short, C. & Davies, J., 1 Aug 2024, In: Journal of Environmental Management. 365, 13 p., 121365.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile11 Downloads (Pure) -
Public spending for agricultural risk management: Land use, regional welfare and intra-subsidy substitution
Vigani, M., Khafagy, A. & Berry, R., Feb 2024, In: Food Policy. 123, 20 p., 102603.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Assessing the impacts of the Countryside Stewardship historic building restoration grant pilot scheme
Gaskell, P., Powell, J., Berry, R., Smith, K., Lake, J., Courtney, P., Malekeniezhad, F., Bundhoo, D. & Chivers, C., 2023Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report › peer-review
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Exploring the evolution of GIS research using bibliographic data
Berry, R., Hafferty, C., Orford, S. & Clarke, L., 21 Apr 2023.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Activities
- 1 Membership of a Professional Body
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Royal Geographical Society (External organisation)
Robert Berry (Member)
2004 → 2024Activity: Membership › Membership of a Professional Body
Thesis
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An evaluation of online GIS-based landscape and visual impact assessment tools and their potential for enhancing public participation in wind farm planning in the UK
Author: Berry, R., Apr 2009Supervisor: Higgs, G. (Supervisor)
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis
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