----------------------------Original message----------------------------
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
and
SPECIALIST MEETING PARTICIPATION
NCGIA Initiative 16
LAW, INFORMATION POLICY AND SPATIAL DATABASES
The National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis
(NCGIA) is about to begin a research initiative on Law,
Information Policy, and Spatial Databases. In late October of
1994, a small group of individuals will come together for several
days in Arizona to explore four interrelated aspects of information
law critical to the handling of geographic information; namely,
(1) access rights of citizens to publicly held information,
(2) intellectual property rights in spatial databases,
(3) privacy rights and principles, and
(4) liability in the use, sharing, and distribution of geographic
information system (GIS) data and analysis results.
We hope to attract participants with research interests and
background in computer and information law, privacy law,
intellectual property law, spatial data policy, information systems
policy, and public policy. Participants will be selected based on
their ability to contribute substantively to one or more of the major
focus areas of the initiative. The core planning group also intends
to ensure an appropriate mix of active researchers from
universities, government agencies and laboratories, and the private
sector.
For each of the four areas, the core planning group is seeking
participant contributions that review current information practices
and the existing literature, expose reasonable alternative
information policies and actions, predict short-term and long-term
ramifications of those alternatives, or articulate arguments for and
against competing alternatives.
The scientific objectives of the specialist meeting and subsequent
research are to:
o Advance scientific understanding of the law and
information policy within spatial database environments
o Raise the quality and content of the debate about law and
GIS by identifying issues in concrete terms with a high
degree of specificity;
o Report observations of the law in action in order to explore
the impact of spatial databases on public information policy
and law and, conversely, report observations of the law's
acceptance of GIS uses and practices;
o Identify emerging problems at the interface of law,
information policy, and spatial databases in order to address
those problems prospectively, with particular focus on legal
issues relevant to the National Spatial Data Infrastructure;
o Divulge, test, and contribute knowledge useful in the
improvement of public policy and formulation of law with
respect to the use of spatial databases and related
technologies.
A primary goal of the specialist meeting will be to develop an
agenda of research questions and recommendations for the broader
research community and to identify priority areas within that
agenda.
Selection of participants will be through submitted abstracts of
approximately 2000 words (four single spaced pages) or, at the
discretion of the submitter, through submission of a completely
developed paper. A biographical sketch not to exceed one page
should also be included. All participants will be expected to
prepare full papers and submit them well in advance of the
specialist meeting so others may be amply prepared to discuss
them at that meeting.
Reasonable expenses for transportation, room, and board for the
specialist meeting will be covered for selected participants by
NCGIA.
The specialist meeting will take place on October 28, 29 & 30,
1994 in Tempe, Arizona at the Center for the Study of Law,
Science, and Technology, Arizona State University Law School.
In order to keep discussions as productive as possible, we
anticipate limiting the total number of participants to around 30.
Additional observers will be allowed during the first day and a half
of presentations.
Our intent is to publish a volume consisting of a compilation of
some or most of the papers produced for the meeting. In addition,
we will strive to publish the derived research agenda in a law
journal or alternative publication.
Abstracts are due April 15, 1994. Individuals selected by the
core planning group for participation will be notified on or before
June 1. Full papers will be due on September 1, 1994. The
specialist meeting will be held at the Law School in Tempe, Arizona
on October 28, 29 & 30, 1994. Revised papers will be due
approximately two months after the specialist meeting.
Abstracts should be sent to the following address.
NCGIA Initiative on Law, Information Policy, and
Spatial Databases
Boardman Hall, Rm. 348
University of Maine
Orono, Maine 04469-5711
[log in to unmask]
Phone (207) 581-2149
FAX (207) 581-2206
Note: If you failed to receive the background paper or the working
bibliography for the initiative with this announcement, copies may
be obtained from the previous address. Copies may also be
obtained by anonymous FTP at grouse.umesve.maine.edu under
the directory \pub\NCGIA\I16-Legal. Gopher users should point
to the above address, but look under the folders "National Center
for Geographic Information and Analysis" and "I16-Legal."
NCGIA Initiative 16 - Core Planning Group:
Co-directors:
Harlan J. Onsrud, NCGIA and Geographic Engineering,
University of Maine
Robert I. Reis, NCGIA and Professor of Law, SUNY-Buffalo
School of Law
Legal Community:
David Flaherty, Information and Privacy Commissioner,
Victoria, B.C.
Dennis S. Karjala, Center for Study of Law, Science and
Technology, Arizona State University
Wayne Madsen, Computer Sciences Corporation
Steven Metalitz, General Counsel, Information Industry
Association
Marc Rotenburg, Director, Computer Professionals for Social
Responsibility
Pamela Samuelson, School of Law, University of Pittsburgh
Shari Steele, Head of Legal Services, Electronic Frontier
Foundation
Richard J. Varn, Chair, State Information Policy Consortium
(NGA, CSG, NCSL)
Laurence H. Winer, Center for Study of Law, Science and
Technology, Arizona State University
GIS Community:
Ronald Abler, Executive Director, Association of American
Geographers
Hugh Archer, Attorney, Information Management Consultant,
South Carolina Water Resources
Kingsley Haynes, Director, The Institute of Public Policy,
George Mason University
John McLaughlin, Geographical Engineering,
Univ of New Brunswick
Nancy Tosta, Staff Director, Federal Geographic Data
Committee (FGDC)
|
