PlaceCamp and call for organizers

I would like to announce a plan, or at least the idea of a plan, for the upcoming ESRI International User Conference and beyond…PlaceCamp. PlaceCamp is intended to be a way to get people talking about how we can use geospatial data and technologies and Geography concepts in the humanities in an unconference-y environment. There have been a few articles, books, and conferences that touch on the topic, but they often stop short of the putting heads together stage of bringing people and ideas together and moving them forward. Since Sue and I are coauthors with our advisor on a chapter in the upcoming Spatial Humanities text, I thought it was time to get into the trenches with some of the ideas that kicked off the workshop which led to the book (and the series that will build from it).

PlaceCampMini (aka the Spatial Humanities SIG at the ESRIUC) will be Tuesday 13 July from 5:30 to 7:00 at the San Diego Convention Center and will vary in format depending on the interest and attendance. Since most barCamp events happen over a day or two, I since this initial foray as a planning session where people can meet, share ideas, and kick off collaborations. If we get a small group in attendance then we will go panel style, if we have 20 or more then we will do the ‘break into topical groups’ approach. Before we make too many plans however, I would like to extend an invitation to anyone who is interested in being part of an organizing committee for PlaceCampMini. If you are interested please contact me at jesse at veryspatial dot com.

Beyond San Diego, there are also the initial plans for a PlaceCamp on the east coast in the coming months that will be a full day (or two) affair, so let me know if you are interested in sharing the organizing load, have an ideal location (currently thinking Raleigh, Charlotte, Wilmington or Myrtle Beach for my own convenience), or would like to be a PlaceCamp sponsor.

Just a heads-up, if the idea of PlaceCamp is grabbing your attention you may want to check out THATcamp as well.