D: How is geographic information being used to support policy?
Dr Tom Smith, Director, Oxford Consultants for Social Inclusion (OCSI)

Public sector agencies are using geographic information in increasingly sophisticated ways - and at all stages of the policy-making process from data -> information -> decision-making. However, more could be done with the available data. This round-table session aims to provide attendees with a broad overview of the different uses, with specific examples to take away and use. The session will start with a quick review of some of the ways that GI is being used to support policy, including:

• key performance indicators at small area level (including the National Indicator Set);
• social marketing and customer insight techniques;
• service location planning;
• resource allocation, and so on. Attendees are encouraged to share examples from their own organisations of how geographic information is being used to support policy - and where this work could be strengthened.