Alina Gerlée
I’m a PhD in Earth Sciences and an Assistant Professor at the Department of Geoecology, Faculty of Geography and Regional Studies. I have degrees in Environmental Biology and Physical Geography from the University of Warsaw. For over 10 years, I’ve been using QGIS daily in projects related to geography, biology, and nature conservation. I also have plenty of experience teaching and running training sessions.
I write a blog (www.alinagerlee.pl) about data processing and visualization in QGIS and enjoy being an active part of the QGIS user community. I’m also the author of the guide (in Polish) "Maps in QGIS 3.4 from Scratch."
When I’m not at my computer, I love spending time in nature—whether it’s on local walks or exploring wild, far-off places. For the past 20 years, I’ve also been a board member of a non-governmental organization dedicated to nature conservation.
Sessions
QGIS has become a cornerstone of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Poland, supported by an active and growing community of users from various professional backgrounds. Since 2002, the Polish QGIS community has expanded to thousands users, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in spatial data analysis. However, little systematic research has been conducted to understand the demographics, usage patterns, challenges, and expectations of Polish QGIS users.
This presentation will unveil the results of an extensive survey conducted among QGIS users in Poland.
The study, based on responses from several hundred participants, provides a comprehensive analysis of who uses QGIS, how they integrate it into their workflows, and what challenges they face. The survey covers key aspects such as:
- User Profile: Education level, GIS-related professions, and experience levels.
- Usage Patterns: Frequency of use, common applications, and the most valued functionalities.
- Challenges and Barriers: Technical difficulties, documentation gaps, and software limitations.
- Community Engagement: Participation in forums, social media groups, and knowledge-sharing activities.
- Future Expectations: Desired features, integration with new technologies, and the direction of QGIS development in Poland.
By analyzing the collected data, we aim to paint a detailed picture of the Polish QGIS landscape, providing valuable insights for both users and developers. The findings will highlight the strengths of the QGIS community, pinpoint areas for improvement, and suggest ways to enhance support and accessibility. Additionally, the presentation will discuss how these insights can contribute to the global open-source GIS movement, emphasizing the role of community-driven software development.