Connecting Earth Observation, Remote Sensing, Geospatial Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence for a Changing World
SGEM WORLD SCIENCE (SWS) Scholarly Society is pleased to welcome the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) Austrian Chapter as a Scientific Partner of SWS Vienna GREEN 2026.
The collaboration brings together two complementary scientific communities: the international multidisciplinary platform of SWS and the specialized scientific and engineering community of IEEE GRSS, whose work connects Earth observation, remote sensing, geospatial information, advanced data processing and emerging digital technologies.
Through this cooperation, SWS Vienna GREEN provides a platform for the Austrian GRSS community to engage with researchers, academics, technology specialists, industry representatives and institutions from Austria and other countries.
About IEEE GRSS
The IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) is a technical society of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), dedicated to advancing science, engineering, applications and education in the field of geoscience and remote sensing.
GRSS brings together researchers, engineers, practitioners, educators and students from a wide range of scientific and technical backgrounds. Its interdisciplinary character connects geoscience with engineering, remote sensing technologies, sensors and platforms, data processing, modelling and information analysis.
The Society's international community works across the observation and understanding of the Earth, oceans, atmosphere and space, as well as the processing, interpretation and dissemination of remotely sensed information.
GRSS supports scientific exchange through conferences, technical activities, education, publications, professional networking and a worldwide network of local chapters.
The Austrian Chapter
The IEEE GRSS Austrian Chapter is the Austrian community of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society, serving researchers, professionals and students working in geoscience, Earth Observation, remote sensing and related technological disciplines.
Officially established in June 2025, the Chapter provides a local platform for scientific exchange and professional networking while creating connections between the Austrian community and the wider European and global GRSS network.
Its activities are particularly relevant to the rapidly developing convergence of Earth sciences, remote sensing, geospatial technologies, artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics.
The Chapter's areas of interest include:
- Remote sensing of land, atmosphere, cryosphere and oceans;
- Earth Observation and geospatial information;
- GIS, geo-analytics and spatial data infrastructures;
- machine learning and artificial intelligence for geospatial applications;
- environmental and climate-related applications;
- open-source technologies and reproducible research;
- FAIR data and scientific data infrastructures.
From Observation to Understanding
Earth Observation technologies provide an increasingly important source of information for understanding the physical and environmental processes shaping our planet.
Satellite observations, remote sensing systems, sensors, geospatial databases and advanced analytical methods make it possible to monitor changes across large areas and over long periods of time.
The scientific challenge is increasingly moving beyond observation itself: how can large and complex datasets be processed, interpreted and transformed into reliable knowledge?
This is where the combination of remote sensing, geospatial analysis, artificial intelligence and machine learning creates new possibilities.
Advanced computational methods can support the identification of environmental patterns, monitoring of changes, assessment of risks, modelling of complex systems and development of decision-support tools.
These capabilities are increasingly relevant to climate resilience, environmental protection, sustainable urban development, disaster risk reduction, natural-resource management and many other areas of scientific and societal importance.
A Community at the Intersection of Science and Technology
One of the distinctive strengths of GRSS is the connection between scientific disciplines that traditionally developed separately.
Geoscientists contribute knowledge about the Earth and its processes, while engineers and technology specialists contribute sensors, platforms, computational methods, signal processing, imaging technologies and analytical systems.
The integration of these perspectives creates opportunities for new scientific approaches and practical applications.
Artificial Intelligence and GeoAI are further accelerating this development by enabling increasingly sophisticated analysis of Earth Observation and geospatial datasets.
This intersection between science, engineering, data and real-world applications represents an important area of common interest between IEEE GRSS and SWS.
IEEE GRSS Austrian Chapter at SWS Vienna GREEN 2026
As part of SWS Vienna GREEN 2026, the IEEE GRSS Austrian Chapter is developing a dedicated half-day scientific session:
From Urban Data to Sustainable Decisions: AI, Climate and the Built Environment
Explore the Special Session: themes, programme and participation →
The session will examine how urban data, Artificial Intelligence, Earth Observation and related digital approaches can contribute to more sustainable and climate-responsive urban development.
The programme will bring together perspectives from academia, research, technology and industry and will address subjects including:
- 15-minute cities;
- urban heat islands;
- urban energy consumption;
- sustainable building materials;
- Earth Observation for urban monitoring;
- AI and GeoAI for urban analysis;
- data-driven urban planning;
- climate-responsive development;
- sustainable buildings and urban systems;
- emerging technologies for more liveable cities.
The session is planned for:
Thursday, 03 December 2026
Morning | approximately 09:30–13:30
Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria
The programme will feature a keynote contribution, invited expert presentations and a moderated panel discussion.
Scientific Leadership and International Participation
The IEEE GRSS Austrian Chapter is taking the scientific lead in developing the session, including the identification of the Session Chair or Scientific Coordinator, invited experts, keynote contributor and panel participants.
The Chapter is also expected to involve members of its wider scientific and professional network, including researchers, academics, students and Young Professionals from Austria and other countries.
This provides an opportunity to connect the Austrian GRSS community with the broader international SWS scientific network and with researchers working across sustainability, climate science, environmental sciences, geosciences, green technologies and related interdisciplinary fields.
SWS and IEEE GRSS
The cooperation combines complementary strengths.
IEEE GRSS Austrian Chapter contributes specialized scientific and technical expertise, an active professional community and access to researchers and experts in Earth Observation, remote sensing, geospatial technologies and related fields.
SGEM WORLD SCIENCE provides an established international scholarly platform, scientific event infrastructure, interdisciplinary networking and experience in international conferences, publications and academic initiatives.
Together, these capabilities create opportunities for scientific exchange between disciplines, institutions and professional communities.
Future Cooperation
The cooperation initiated through SWS Vienna GREEN 2026 is intended as a first joint scientific initiative and an important step towards a strong and lasting cooperation between SGEM WORLD SCIENCE and the IEEE GRSS Austrian Chapter.
Following the 2026 pilot activity, SWS sees considerable potential to develop further joint initiatives in areas where the expertise and networks of both organizations are highly complementary, including:
- international scientific conferences and dedicated scientific sessions;
- specialized workshops and expert meetings;
- scholarly publishing and scientific dissemination;
- education, training and expert lectures;
- researcher and expert networking;
- activities supporting young researchers and professionals;
- interdisciplinary scientific initiatives connecting geoscience, technology, AI and sustainability.
From early 2027, SWS will also be developing its SWS Academy in Vienna, with specialized courses, expert lectures and practical training. We see particularly strong potential for IEEE GRSS experts to contribute to future educational activities in areas such as Earth Observation, remote sensing, GeoAI, Artificial Intelligence, geospatial technologies and data-driven environmental and urban applications.
The successful development of the Vienna GREEN initiative can therefore provide a foundation for a broader relationship between the two scientific communities, extending beyond a single event towards regular scientific, educational and professional exchange.
SWS looks forward to building this cooperation together with the IEEE GRSS Austrian Chapter in the years ahead.