AGM Lecture 2026 Dr Julia Wagemann, Women+ In Geospatial

Who Makes the Map? Diversity, Power, and the Future of Geospatial Details: Who makes the map (and decisions) matters more than we think. The geospatial industry is full of brilliant people shaping how we understand our world. But to truly reflect the communities we serve and unlock the full potential of our field, we need every voice at the table. The opportunity ahead of us is enormous - if we choose to seize it together. This talk tells the story of Women+ in Geospatial - which started as a grassroots community and turned into a multi-award winning global organisation driving systemic change across the sector. It explores the principles and activities that underpin that work: why surface-level fixes fall short, and what meaningful, structural change actually looks like in practice. It closes with a challenge and an invitation. As geospatial intersects with AI, climate, and the future of our society, the question of who shapes that work has never mattered more. Building a more inclusive industry is not just a job for those who have been excluded from it - we all have the responsibility to act. Bio: Dr. Julia Wagemann is an Earth Observation data and technology specialist, educator, and community-builder with over twelve years of experience in the European Earth Observation sector. In 2023, she co-founded thriveGEO, a geospatial training company that helps organisations to build future-ready skills tailored to individual roles. Prior to that, she has worked as an independent consultant and held positions at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and the European Space Agency. She is also the founder of Women+ in Geospatial, a global network of over 5,500 women and non-binary professionals in the geospatial field. As Director and Board Member, she has grown the community from a grassroots initiative into a multi award-winning organisation. Her work has earned recognition including the inaugural GEO100 Innovation Award (2025), the WGIC DEI Trailblazer Award (2024), Geovation’s Contribution to Diversity Award (2024), and a place on the Geospatial World 50 Rising Stars list (2023).