The Sensor Web Automation Network (SWAN) invites academic, private, and public sector participants for a one-day strategic workshop to accelerate Canada’s internationally competitive progress in Sensor Web R&D and identify key priorities and actions for R&D in Distributed Sensors. We aim to build stronger network relationships within the Distributed Sensors R&D community, both domestically and internationally, in order to identify common directions, challenges and collaborative research opportunities.

Workshop Date and Location:
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Lord Elgin Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Background:
Distributed sensors, geosensor networks, and sensor webs are emerging as an exciting and important part of the global geospatial data infrastructure, and of the decision support systems that rely on real-time data for understanding environmental change, social and economic dynamics and the safety and security of our population and infrastructure. Many research organizations around the world have recognized that this as a research area of strategic importance. Canada’s current Sensor Web R&D is carried out by research groups who are fragmented across the country, across organizations, and across sectors. As such, is the Sensor Web R&D community realizing its full collective potential?

Workshop Objectives:
This 'think-tank'-style workshop will identify key challenges, priorities, and opportunities for collaborative R&D in distributed sensors, geosensor networks, and sensor webs. The workshop will focus on three target themes. In the morning, internationally recognized keynote speakers will share their perspectives and experience with the workshop participants via overview presentations and panel discussion. In the afternoon, workshop participants will discuss the questions identified for the themes in breakout sessions and will develop specific recommendations regarding the target themes. The end results of the workshop will be developed into a full report, which will be distributed to the workshop participants, funding agencies, government officials, and professional societies. Summary articles will be targeted to society newsletters and trade periodicals.

The second objective of the workshop is to cultivate a stronger networked, collaborative community and build research capacity for Distributed Sensors R&D. The networking reception following the workshop will give participants an opportunity to identify collaborators and partners for new initiatives.

Intended Audience:
Sensor and communication technology developers, geospatial infrastructure developers, end users, and decision-makers are all encouraged to participate. All sectors are invited, and discussions will emphasize natural resource management and hazards, transportation and infrastructure, and public safety and security.