The 2026 Symposium on Spatiotemporal Data Science
August 7-8, 2026
Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, 3625 Potomac Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305
Hosted by Virginia Tech and co-sponsored by the NSF-sponsored Spatiotemporal Innovation Center, this symposium aims to promote replicable and expandable spatiotemporal data science with new methodology and innovative technology. The symposium will discuss open data sources, advanced methodology, cutting-edge research, latest technology development and education with a focus on spatial AI. The program will include onsite and online sessions.
The conference will be in a hybrid format, which will include keynote addresses, presentation sessions, and panel discussions.
The topics include, but not limited to:
- Digital twins for geoscience
- Reproducible and Scalable Spatiotemporal Data Science
- Spatial Artificial Intelligence: Theory, Models, and Applications
- Cloud-Native Geospatial Computing and Distributed Analytics
- Decision Intelligence and Real-World Applications of Spatial AI
- Integrated data pipelines for spatiotemporal analysis
- Advanced spatial modeling and statistical learning
- Machine learning and deep learning architectures for spatial data
- Generative AI and large language models in geospatial workflows
- Translational applications in public policy, business analytics, and environmental systems
There will be a four-day workshop (August 3-6, 2026) on spatiotemporal innovation before the symposium. Topics include: 1) Replicable Data Analysis with Geospatial Analytics; 2) Develop Spatial AI Tools using Generative AI; 3) Cloud Computing with Google Earth Engine and Spatial AI; and 4) Spatial AI Methods and Tools for Business Applications.
The conference is accepting abstract submissions for oral or poster presentations (less than 500 words) before April 15, 2026. Detailed agenda and lodging information will be sent to accepted presenters later. Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses. Please contact the organizing committee at 2026-stc-conference@googlegroups.com if there are any questions.
Online Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1058549984499
- Registration for the conference:
- US$350, before May 30, 2026
- US$450, after (including) May 30, 2026
Important Dates:
- Abstract submission deadline: April 15, 2026
- Acceptance decision: April 30, 2026
- Deadline of early registration: May 30, 2026
Abstract Submission:
Online Registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/812024947477
Location: The onsite event will be placed on Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, 3625 Potomac Avenue, Alexandria, Va 22305 (map). The online sessions will be conducted via Zoom.
The 2026 Summer Training Workshop on Spatiotemporal Innovation
August 3-6, 2026
3625 Potomac Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305
Sponsored by the NSF-sponsored Spatiotemporal Innovation Center and Virginia Tech, this hands-on workshop is to promote replicable and expandable spatiotemporal science with advanced methodology and technology. With a focus on geospatial analytics and Spatial AI analytics, the workshop will discuss methodology, functions, workflow-based tools for spatiotemporal data analysis as well as case studies for their applications across different fields, including public health, business, , and environment.
Topics include: 1) Visual Programming for Data Science; 2) Spatial Data Analysis with Geospatial Analytics; 3) Spatial AI Models, Machine Learning and Deep Learning in Advanced Spatial AI Models; 4) Spatial AI for Business Applications.
Tools and Platforms
The workshop will introduce participants to an integrated ecosystem of workflow-based, open-source, and cloud-native tools for advanced spatiotemporal analytics, including:
- Workflow & Visual Programming: KNIME
- Programming Environments: Python (GeoPandas, PySAL, Rasterio, Xarray), R (sf, terra, tmap)
- GIS Platforms: QGIS, ArcGIS Pro
- Cloud & Distributed Computing: Google Earth Engine
- Machine Learning & Deep Learning: Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, XGBoost
- Spatial AI & Geospatial Foundation Models: GeoAI toolkits, multimodal large language models for spatial reasoning
- Visualization & Decision Dashboards: Streamlit, Dash, Kepler.gl, Leaflet
- Version Control & Reproducibility: Git/GitHub, Docker, Jupyter Notebooks
Requirement:
It is desirable that those applicants have a background in geographic analysis. Each participant is expected to complete a group project and make a presentation on their own research at the symposium. Those who complete the program and participate in the group project will receive a certificate. Those outstanding participants will be invited to join the research team of the NSF Spatiotemporal Innovation Center.
Application:
To apply, please submit your application form, including your CV and the abstract of your research from https://forms.gle/2HMnUUymHxc3eK4w7 before April 30, 2026. Application will be open until filled. Detailed agenda lodging information will be sent to those accepted applicants later. Participants are responsible for their own travel and lodging expenses. Please visit http://spatialdatalab.org for more details or contact spatialdatalab@lists.fas.harvard.edu if there are any questions.
Registration Fee:
- $2,980 registered/paid before June 1, 2026
- $3,680 registered/paid after (including) June 1, 2026
Location: The workshop will take place at Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, 3625 Potomac Avenue, Alexandria, Va 22305 (map)
Please visit http://stcenter.net for more information or contact spatialdatalab@lists.fas.harvard.edu for questions.
