Real-Time Space-Time Integration in GIScience and Geography - Space-Time Integration in Geography and GIScience - page 401

21.4.9 Policy and Institutional Considerations

We must confront and address locational privacy and data confidentiality issues
related to real-time space-time data. 7 Promising directions include the development
of interactive Virtual Data Enclaves (VDE) for sharing confidential space-time data
within the GIScience research community and beyond. Improved methods for spa-
tiotemporal data access and sharing for sustainable development and environmental
protection is also needed, especially in developing regions, and on terms as desired
by those in the region. We should continue to foster cross-border coordination and
international standards, and develop stronger public, private, and university research
coordination. Finally, we must support existing and develop new advanced higher
education programs to address the complex next generation research needs of real-
time space-time interaction in GIScience and geography.

21.5 Transformational Research in Geography: Science,

Technology, Innovation, and Discovery

Scientific and technological innovations in real-time space-time interactions have
transformed geography, cartography and GIScience, and continue to drive research
and applications within and well beyond these fields. Inherent within such trans-
formative changes are interesting implications, and perhaps lessons, regarding how
innovation in geography can occur and how it might be understood, nurtured and
fostered in the future. In addition to the more specific research agenda suggestions
related to real-time space-time integration above, I would like to close with some
thoughts on the practice of GIScience itself and more broadly the practice of
science in geography, and to pose a few provocative questions for consideration and
discussion as we think about future directions of space-time integration research.
I believe we need to examine more closely how the actual processes, practices,
and cultures of science in GIScience and geography currently function, and how
they might function in the future. The process of innovation in our intertwined
disciplines needs to be better understood, and documented. What is the actual role of

7 Issues of privacy and dual use of RTI GPS/GIS technologies are also significant. I have addressed
these questions in multiple venues (see for example, Richardson 2008 ), and as chair of the
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Human Rights
Coalition Steering Committee (Albro and Richardson 2012 ). The dilemma posed by the prospect
of any scientific or technological innovation being used or abused for the wrong ends is a real and
inevitable cause for concern. Norbert Weiner famously stated that, “I have seriously considered
the possibility of giving up my scientific productive effort because I know of no way to publish
without letting my inventions go into the wrong hands” (Roszak 1994 ). These issues have been the
focus of a substantial body of scholarship during the past half century (see, for example, Pickles
( 1995 ). Harris and Weiner ( 1998 ), Onsrud ( 2003 ), and Chomsky ( 1969 )).