Forest Data Lab at SLU - ForestDataLab@SLU

Purpose and goal

The aim was to establish a new creative lab at SLU to promote increased availability and analysis of forest data in the Swedish forest sector. Activities should promote the use of 3D remote sensing technology and forest data and analysis tools managed by SLU. The opening of the lab led to unexpectedly high media attention. Private companies and authorities have been the primary target group resulting in activites ranging from simple data deliveries to more extensive collaborative projects. At the moment, possible forms of continued operation of the lab at SLU are being investigated.

Expected results and effects

The Forest Data Lab is expected to generate innovations in the form of new inventory methods, higher data quality, new types of analyzes or new users of already established tools and methods. Open data has been published, user support for various tools and access to qualified education, analytical skills and general advice has been offered. Case studies and demonstration projects have been carried out with selected external actors. This has resulted in new services, demonstration projects but also in new collaborations and several ideas for future project.

Planned approach and implementation

We decided to establish the Forest Data Lab as an integrated part of the existing organization. Project workers spent a relatively small part of their working hours in the project and saw the project as a side event. Another possible approach would have been to engage a new person or consultant as project manager and external consultants to conduct specified demo projects or case studies with external actors. This had probably led to more innovations, but at the same time, the new collaborative environment would not have been anchored as well in the existing organization.

External links

Hemsidan för mötesplatsen Skogsdatalabbet samlar information om skogliga data, verktyg och analyskompetens.