1.Using GIS for Public Policy Research John Cullinan Discipline of Economics, NUI Galway Whitaker Institute Seminar, 29 April 2014

2. Today Introduction What is GIS and why is it useful? Applications relating to public policy NUI Galways GIS Centre NUI Galways GIS Centre Courses; software; data; expertise; etc. A live demonstration! Concluding comments 3. Introduction Lecturer in Economics at NUI Galway Formerly Economic Consultant with Indecons Public Policy Division Main research interests Areas Health economics (disability; obesity; diabetes; dementia; health Health economics (disability; obesity; diabetes; dementia; health inequalities) Spatial economics (health services; higher education; recreation activities; regional development; geographic inequalities) Environmental and natural resource economics (energy demand; agricultural policy) Empirical Tools Applied econometrics GIS analysis 4. Introduction Aims of todays presentation 1. To inform Overview of GIS and some applications Member of NUI Galways GIS Centre Committee Member of NUI Galways GIS Centre Committee 2. To collaborate Ongoing and forthcoming projects Funding calls e.g. Horizon 2020, HRB, DAFM, etc. 5. Introduction Key messages 1. GIS is an increasingly valuable research tool in a range of disciplines and inter-disciplinary collaborationscollaborations 2. Wide range of uses for GIS 3. Significant role for GIS in helping to inform public policy (and other) decisions 6. What is GIS? (1) A GIS is a system for capturing, storing, checking, integrating, manipulating, analysing and displaying data that are spatially referenced to the earthreferenced to the earth Piece of computer software used to analyse spatial data 7. What is GIS? (2) A GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, visualisations, charts andthe form of maps, visualisations, charts and spatial statistics GIS can help you to answer questions and solve problems by looking at data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared 8. John Snows 1855 map of Soho (London) cholera outbreak showing clusters of cholera cases in 1854 9. What is GIS? (3) Slightly more technically Enables integration and display of various data/information layers Enables editing of spatial data Enables editing of spatial data Enables querying of correlations between layers Enables extraction of specific information Enables design of map layouts and visualisations (3D movies!) 10. What is a GIS? (4) 11. What is GIS? (3) Slightly more technically Enables integration and display of various data/information layers Enables editing of spatial data Enables editing of spatial data Enables querying of correlations between layers Enables extraction of specific information Enables design of map layouts and visualisations (3D movies!) 12. What is a GIS? (5) 13. Illustrative Examples (1) Previous research on public policy issues Impact of travel distance on screening for GDM Socioeconomic gradients in health Accessibility to higher education Accessibility to higher education Organic farming in Ireland Dietary quality and food environments Economic performance of towns Recreation sites and catchment areas 14. HE Participation Decisions Impact of geographic accessibility to higher education Decision to proceed to higher education Where to study Where to study University IT Other What to study Degree/non-degree Course 15. ! ! ! ! !!!! ! !!!!!!! ! ! !!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!! ! ! !! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !! ! Legend ! HEI (Uni or IT) Nearest Distance HEI (Both Jurisdictions)