GITA provides industry leadership by offering excellent geospatial educational and information exchange opportunities and promoting the use and development of geospatial information and technology to meet our members' evolving needs. This leadership is increasingly being delivered and recognized through our various research initiatives, demonstration projects, and relationships with other nonprofit organizations and state and federal agencies. In order to effectively manage these efforts, GITA has established a Research Division.

The Research Division is responsible for sponsoring applied research and demonstration projects to enable federal, state, and local government agencies, along with electric, energy, gas, pipeline, telecommunications, and water and wastewater organizations and other professionals, to meet their business needs through the use of geospatial information and technology.

The Research Division works to achieve this in three ways:

By sponsoring research. GITA sponsors and participates in real world research and demonstration projects that are responsive to the needs of the geospatial community.

By developing knowledge. GITA identifies the practical benefits of research findings and delivers this knowledge to stakeholders throughout the geospatial community. GITA is continually adding to its growing body of knowledge from its various research and demonstration related initiatives.

By promoting collaboration. GITA cultivates partnerships with both public and private organizations around the world to leverage funding and share expertise involving research and demonstration projects.

The GITA research division was established in 2004 to provide a centralized, applied research and demonstration project program for the geospatial community.

Current research division projects include:

• A Practitioners Guide to Business Case Development and Return on Investment Methodology for Geospatial Information Technology
  
• Geospatially Enabling Community Collaboration for Critical Infrastructure Protection: The GECCo Pilot Project Series
  
• Industry Trends Advisory Group Research
  
• Department of Labor Grant to Defind and Communicate Geospatial Industry Workforce Demand

Our Members

The research division is comprised of member organizations that voluntarily participate in order to support and benefit from the geospatial-related research that the association sponsors. Close to 150 user organizations are members of GITA. In addition, more than 130 geospatially-related consulting firms and vendor companies are members.

The majority of our members are in the United States and Canada. However, members from our international affiliates are welcome to participate in research and demonstration projects.

Since its inception, the association has supported a variety of research related efforts. Members are increasingly indicating their support for research and demonstration projects. This support has recently been supplemented by funds allocated by the U.S. and Canadian governments and is leveraged through collaborative partnerships with other research organizations. However, funding may come from a variety of other sources.

In addition to monetary support, the research activity sponsored by the association would not be possible without the efforts of more than 200 association volunteers who serve on committees, providing expertise in a variety of applied geospatially related research areas.

Research Related Benefits to Members

Through the association's research efforts, members receive:

• Peer-reviewed and credible knowledge and technologies to apply within their organization
• Research reports, published at the completion of each project
• Access to the association's network of geospatial experts
• Access to the association's research information via the GITA Web site
• The opportunity to have input into the research agenda
• The opportunity to participate in research projects or serve on one or more committees that provide ongoing peer review of research
• The opportunity to submit ideas for research and demonstration projects

Function of GITA's Research Division

Members are instrumental in providing direction to the division's research and demonstration projects. The Research Division is governed by Board of Directors and directed by the Research Advisory Committee, comprised of leading experts in the geospatial, information technology, and infrastructure management industries.

The research agenda is developed in consultation with members, GITA strategic initiatives, the Association's Industry Trends Advisory Group, acknowledged industry experts, Geospatial Technology Report and working professionals. Member suggestions are examined to identify high-priority projects most crucial to the geospatial community. Final items for research and demonstration projects agenda are approved by the Board of Directors.

Research and demonstration projects are managed by an advisory committee made up of volunteer experts in a specific area of study. The advisory committee evaluates proposals, select contractors, and monitor projects through to completion.

Submit a Research or Demonstration Idea

The success of GITA's research and demonstration program depends heavily upon obtaining and effectively using relevant input on current and emerging issues within the geospatial community. Please help us develop a responsive research agenda by submitting a research idea form. Your input will be provided to the GITA research staff and the Research Advisory Committee for consideration.

Thank You!