Research activities

DIDAIhub community members' reserach activities' topics range from landscape ecology to climate adaptation and innovation proccesses. GeoAI, citizen science, community mapping, Machine Learning for image classification and more characterise contemporary research with global impacts. Read more below about research activities of our research community.

Msilikale Msilanga
Doctoral researcher

Msilikale-Msilanga

Related projects:
Resilience Academy

My research interests lie on enhancing urban resilience in African cities through data-driven solutions, particularly focusing on the application of geospatial technologies and data infrastructures including the development of robust spatial databases, implementation of quality-driven data management systems, and creation of effective visualisation tools to support urban planning decisions. I am particularly interested in how spatial data infrastructures can be leveraged to address urban challenges in African contexts, including informal settlement mapping, urban service delivery analysis, research and climate resilience planning.

Unlocking Uralic Heritage and Diversity: URHIA's Open Data Journey in Spatial Exploration
Roose, M. and M. Msilanga (2024). FOSS4G Europe 2024, Tartu
https://doi.org/10.5446/68561

Open-source tools and Open Science practices inspiring co-creation of geospatial data infrastructures – reflections from Finland and Tanzania
Käyhkö, N., Oksanen, J., Vasanen, A., Msilanga, M., Hamad, M. M., Ek, K., Aaltonen, V., and Z. Ngereja (2024). Abstr. Int. Cartogr. Assoc., 7, 69
https://doi.org/10.5194/ica-abs-7-69-2024

Resilience Academy Student Internship Model as an Innovative Way to Enhance Geospatially Literate Future Work Force in Africa
Msilanga, M., Käyhkö, N., Mbise, M., Ngereja, Z., Makame, M. O. and E. Mauya (2021). Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLVI-4/W2-2021, 115–117
https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLVI-4-W2-2021-115-2021

Open-source tools and Open Science practices inspiring co-creation of geospatial data infrastructures – reflections from Finland and Tanzania
Käyhkö, N., Oksanen, J., Vasanen, A., Msilanga, M., Hamad, M. M., Ek, K., Aaltonen, V., and Z. Ngereja (2024). Abstr. Int. Cartogr. Assoc., 7, 69
https://doi.org/10.5194/ica-abs-7-69-2024

Changing Role of EMS -Analyses of Non-Conveyed and Conveyed Patients in Finland
Paulin, J., Kurola, J., Salanterä, S., Moen, H., Guragain, N., Koivisto, M., Käyhkö, N., Aaltonen, V. and T. Iirola (2020). Scand. J. Trauma Resusc. Emerg. Med. 28, 45
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-020-00741-w

My research at the University of Turku Geography department develops, pilots and scales novel integrated geospatial and community-based methodology for better climate adaptation in cities. The methodology connects analysis of open geospatial data to citizens' experiences on climate stressors in their living surroundings at neighbourhood scale. Need for this kind of research stems from the fact that cities around the gloge are already feeling the effects of climate change, and rapid adaptation and resilience building actions are needed. Data-driven and informed decision-making is difficult on data scarce areas, which calls for alternative methods to collect information about climate stressors, exposure, vulnerability, risks, as well as existing and needed coping and adaptation strategies. I take a holistic view to complex urban socio-ecological systems where human activities and characteristics of the urban fabric affect environmental phenomena, and vice versa.

Venla Aaltonen
Doctoral researcher

profiilikuva

Related projects:
Resilience Academy
KADI

My research is focusing on Open data, digital tools and youth engagement in public works for green transition and climate resilience in Africa. The focus is to diversify the ways youths particularly female youths can be introduced to and engaged into different digital public works and novel data collection campaigns related to the co-creation of green transition and climate resilience solutions in African cities based on the opportunities of digital revolution, FOSS technologies and participatory methodologies.

My research aims to equip youth with relevant skills in digital technologies and sustainability practices, open new job prospects in emerging digital and green economies build leadership and decision-making capacities among youth. Also, to address barriers preventing women from entering green and digital sectors, facilitate mentorship & Networks - Establish support systems for young women to thrive in these fields. Also to contribute to urban sustainability and climate adaptation through Youth-driven Innovation and participation.

Monica Timbuka
Doctoral researcher

monicatimbuka

Related projects:
UTUGreDiT

Khairiya Masoud
Doctoral researcher

khairiyamasoud

Related projects:
Resilience Academy

My doctoral research integrate the GeoAI and citizen science methods to model landscape dynamics in Eastern Africa. By leveraging advanced geospatial algorithms and community driven data collecton approaches, my work aims to uncover patterns of landscape change and their socio-ecological drivers. This research contributes to landscape sustainability strategies by providing actionable insights into how human and natural systems interact over time.

Many climate services in Africa have not obtained the desired outcomes, as they have overlooked local needs and are too strongly relying on scientific, expert-driven data and knowledge, which have failed to operate in local decision-making systems. Co-creation of socially innovative and responsible climate risk data products is urgently needed based on synergistic use of mass data, advanced analytics, information and communication technologies, and concepts of open and shared knowledge for local action. The main objective of the project is to develop integrated and socially innovative digital data and methods, which use opportunities of digital revolution (FAIR data, open-source technologies, artificial intelligence and automation), in combination with bottom-up community engagement and citizen science approaches for improved mapping and management of climate risks in Sub-Saharan African cities.

Hilary Mvungi
Doctoral researcher

hilarymvungi

Related projects:
UTUGreDiT
Resilience Academy