Peter Mooney
Peter is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Computer Science in Maynooth University and has been working in the domain of geospatial data research for over a decade. He is particularly interested in understanding the processes behind the collection of volunteered geographic information data and how computing techniques such as machine learning can be applied to these datasets and sources. He has been involved for over a decade in research and scholarship related to OpenStreeMap. He is heavily involved in OSGeo (Open Source Geospatial Foundation) activities in Ireland. His teaching philosophy sees the exclusive use of FOSS4G (Free and Open Source Software for Geomatics) and Open Data for all student teaching and learning activities. He is currently an editor of the Transactions in GIS journal.
Session
Null Island is where the prime meridian meets the equator at (0,0) longitude and latitude. While Null Island is a fictitious, dimensionless, point object, its existence stimulates vigorous debate making it worthy of serious consideration. Many examples exists illustrating how Null Island impacts OSM discourse. Our study considers what the geographic oddity of Null Island means for OSM. The main contribution is a structured knowledge-based resource facilitating understanding of Null Island’s impact on OSM. This socio-technical and philosophical investigation of Null Island can become a catalyst for deeper discussions and debates in OSM around mapping practices.