Interview with Dr. Duane Marble by Directions Mag

Recently (February 19, 2008 ) an interview of Dr. Duane Marble was published in Directions Magazine conducted by Nora Parker. This interview was relating to William L. Garrison Award that is presented to encourage doctoral-level students to "increase their knowledge of computer science and to apply this knowledge to their research in geographic science."

I would like to bring out the crux of the interview. It is encouraged to refer to the full version for your own conclusions though ;-)

The salient points were:

• Digital computing that started half a century ago provided an opportunity to geographers new ways of looking at and solving complex spatial problems. but at that time it was difficult for them to understand the complexities of computing as the computers were really expensive and most of the times not accessible.
  
• After 50 years there is a totally different scenario. As Dr.Duane points "computers have assisted us in discovering that geography is far more than static maps or even comparative statics (e.g., map overlay)". Instead of the notions that mathematical models of space-time processes are very difficult the GIScience community "has been forced in our practical work (largely by the massive amounts of spatial data represented by our planet and all the things on, in and above it) to utilize computer approximations based upon heuristic algorithms and specialized and efficient data structures."
• Today instead of such advanced conceptual development, the GI-scientific community is severely hampered by many scientists whose education has taken place in environments with little formal knowledge of computer science and its potentially substantial contributions.
• Looking at such problems where " a significant number of bachelors and masters level graduates in geographic science who have had only a minimal exposure to formal computer science concepts", the Garrison Award is to try to provide an incentive for young scholars at the doctoral level - in any discipline and in any part of the world - to increase their knowledge of computer science and to apply this knowledge to their research in geographic science.
  

Want to continue reading or want to have a look at the detailed interview, then don't hesitate to click this link "Dr. Duane Marble Explains William L. Garrison Award".