New episode of the podcast RUG & Co. on the power of maps, women at risk, and why counting counts

The latest episode of RUG & Co. explores the fascinating world of maps and the impact they can have. The Geodienst of the University of Groningen specializes in creating maps that make research accessible to a wide audience. This episode highlights the Forced to Quit project of JTS Scholar Marília Gehrke, which uses a map to show where women in public positions are forced to resign due to serious threats.

Our guests are Govert Schoof, head of the Geodienst, and Marília Gehrke, UG researcher and project lead for the Forced to Quit project. Schoof is affiliated with the Jantina Tammes School as a Digital Technology & AI liaison. For many people, the Geodienst is a household name, and their maps regularly go viral on social media. But how did the service come about eleven years ago, and how can they support researchers and external organizations? Of course, their most striking maps will also be explored, such as those showing ambulance response times and lighthouses around the world.

Forced to Quit

With the help of the Geodienst’s expertise, UG-researcher and JTS Scholar Gehrke created an interactive map aimed at understanding how many women are forced to step down from public office. The JTS Early Career Researcher Prize helped her to get the project off the ground.

Many female journalists, politicians, and administrators face threats. But how do you measure that, and how do you map it? And why is it so important that we keep counting? You will hear about this and much more in this new episode.

Be sure to listen to the latest episode about this unique collaboration at the intersection of science and society.

Event: FOSS4GNL

On 8 and 9 July, the FOSS4GNL conference will be held at the House of Connections (Grote Markt 21). This is the premier event for all open-source geospatial applications. More information about the event and registration can be found here.

About RUG & Co.

In the RUG & Co. podcast, science journalist Jelle Posthuma and programme maker Floor Kuiper delve into the role of the University of Groningen in society. Each episode focuses on a collaboration involving the university, for example with government, businesses and residents of the North. Previous episodes have covered collaborations with Philips, the Eurosonic/Noorderslag music festival, and the ‘s Heeren Loo care facility, among others.