Dr. Taylor Oshan gave a presentation at the ASU Spatial Analysis Research Center (SPARC), School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning (SGSUP). Dr. Oshan's presentation was on Process indicator-of-scale metrics – PRISMs. Information about the workshop is below.

Spatial Scale is one of a small number of quintessential geographic topics that defines geography as a discipline.  We talk about the scale of a map with expressions such as a 'small scale' or 'large scale' study. We refer to the scale of a study area, implying its spatial extent. We talk about some descriptors being scale-invariant (fractal dimension) while others are seriously affected by the extent to which data are spatially aggregated (modifiable areal unit problem). When focusing on the processes underlying spatial patterns, we frequently describe some processes as operating on a local, regional or global scale. Although we frequently refer to scale, what exactly do we mean by this term and how can we measure the spatial scale at which different processes operate? We have long recognized that the phenomena we observe are often the product of multiple processes operating at multiple scales, which raises a number of additional questions:

• What methodological developments are needed to accurately translate information across scales?
• How do decisions surrounding the scale of data and analyses (and the uncertainties that accompany those scales) impact our inferences about the world?
• In terms of processes, what exactly do we mean by scale and how do we measure it?
• Why is it useful to know the spatial scale at which different processes operate?

Although scale and geography have been virtually synonymous for centuries, it would seem timely to hold a brain-storming workshop on Scale and Spatial Analytics  for several reasons:

• Spatial data are increasingly available at a very fine spatial (and temporal) scale;
• Multi-scale analysis is now possible under various learning frameworks opening up the possibility of directly measuring the spatial scale at which different processes operate; and
• The three-dimensionality of the world we live on and in is increasingly recognized so that scale on the globe is of growing importance.

This small and focused workshop will address these issues through a set of plenary presentations (30 minutes each), lightning talks (10 minutes each), and focused discussions with the intention of raising the profile of this important topic through the development of a research agenda and a set of follow-up activities.