GIS Delivers the Past to the Future

On Thursday, January 28, Scott Branting, Ph.D., will participate in a Future Tense discussion about how present and emerging technologies can be used to deliver cultural heritage from the past to the future.

Hosted by New America, a non-partisan think tank in Washington D.C., and in partnership with Arizona State University and Slate magazine,  “Deploying Technology to Rescue the Past” will allow Dr. Branting and fellow scholars, Kirk Johnson, Ph.D., and Salam Al Kuntar, Ph.D., to discuss how technology, like satellites, drones and 3D imaging, can help minimize the impact of plans that ISIS and groups like them have to eradicate aspects of built cultural heritage throughout the world.

Assistant professor of Anthropology, Dr. Branting, is one of the many new faulty here at UCF. During the past year, Dr. Branting was the Director of Geospatial Initiatives for the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR), working on the Cultural Heritage Initiatives collaborative agreement between the U.S. Department of State and ASOR.

The ongoing project is designed to monitor and eventually help mitigate and, where possible, assist in repairing damage to cultural heritage monuments, sites, and infrastructure in Syria and Islamic State controlled portions Iraq. Portions of this project are being undertaken within GIS facilities and servers here at UCF.

To receive more information about the discussion click here.