About us

The Geographic Data Science Lab (GDSL) at the University of Liverpool is a world-leading centre driving innovation in how we use data to understand people, places and change.

Bridging social and computational sciences, we pioneer new methods in spatial analytics, machine learning and data integration to address today’s most urgent societal and environmental challenges.

Led by Professor Francisco Rowe, with Dr Elisabetta Pietrostefani as Deputy Lead, GDSL brings together interdisciplinary expertise from geography, economics, public health, mathematics, statistics and computer science.

Our research is structured around core research themes:

• Inequalities and sustainability
• Urban science
• Population and human mobility
• Social and environmental sensing.

The Lab transforms new data sources, including mobile phone records, social media, satellite imagery and administrative datasets, into actionable evidence to inform public policy, urban planning and climate resilience. 
 
Working closely with partners such as the United Nations, the World Bank, the UK Office for National Statistics, and national and local governments, we support data-driven policymaking to promote inclusion, sustainability and preparedness. Our work has informed global frameworks for understanding climate-related mobility, national pandemic recovery strategies and local interventions, to reduce inequality and improve access to services. 

We lead major national and international research programmes, including two of UK’s Smart Data Services, Imago and the Geographic Data Service, which are part of Smart Data Research UK, the national programme for smart data research.

The Lab also fosters future talent through its MSc and PhD programmes, equipping researchers and policymakers with cutting-edge geographic data science skills. We contribute to transform geographic data into public value, empowering governments, organisations and citizens to build more equitable, sustainable and resilient communities across the world.