Professor Francisco Rowe, from the Department of Geography & Planning, has been awarded the Distinguished Practice Award by the International Geographical Union (IGU).
Francisco Rowe is a Professor in Population Data Science and leads the Geographic Data Science Lab at the University of Liverpool.
Professor Rowe’s research focuses on human mobility and migration, geographic data science and climate sustainability. He studies the causes and impacts of human movements using geographic data science with a specific focus on changes to human mobility patterns during disasters, including climate, health hazards and conflict.
The Distinguished Practice Award recognises Professor Rowe’s outstanding professional achievements and significant contributions to the advancement and application of geographical knowledge and practice.
Commenting on receiving the award, Professor Rowe said: “I am deeply honoured to receive the IGU Distinguished Practice Award. Digital data and AI can reveal social change sooner, but they can also reproduce the blind spots we want them to overcome.
“I have led research that harnesses this potential while confronting its limitations: developing methods to produce timely insights while identifying and correcting bias, so that geographic evidence is more reliable and representative. The aim is better evidence for decisions about migration, inequality, climate change and humanitarian response.
“Seeing this work inform practice at the UN, EU Joint Research Centre, OECD and FCDO has been especially rewarding.
“I am grateful to the colleagues and partners whose ideas, expertise and trust have made the research stronger and extended its impact.
“This award encourages me to keep asking not only what new data can show us, but how they can serve society better.”
Professor Rowe received the award during the IGU Regional Conference in Istanbul, Türkiye.
