We had the pleasure of speaking with the Associate Editor of the ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information (IJGI, ISSN: 2220-9964), Prof. Dr. Hartwig H. Hochmair. Our goal is to present a behind-the-scenes look at the journal and provide insights into the Associate Editor's perspective on the publishing process.

The following is a short Q&A with Prof. Dr. Hartwig H. Hochmair, who shared his vision for the journal with us, as well as his views of the research area and open access publishing:

1. Could you please introduce yourself?
I am a professor of geomatics at the University of Florida (UF) where I lead the Geomatics program at the UF Fort Lauderdale campus (which is not far from Miami) and enjoy the South Florida climate and lifestyle. As an Associate Editor of IJGI, I handle submissions that fall into the areas of location-based services and trajectory analysis. My family background of land surveyors and education in geomatics led me to my interest and career in GIS and geospatial analysis, which is a rapidly evolving field that presents itself with new challenges and opportunities every day. I have always enjoyed cycling, including road and mountain biking, especially in my home country of Austria, which has influenced my research interests, which include, among others, the modeling of bicycle travel, wayfinding, and in general, the analysis of non-motorized transportation.

2. Could you give us a short overview of the research you are currently undertaking?
My research covers several topical areas but focuses primarily on the spatial analysis of geographic information to address key issues of sustainable transportation, assessing the usability of crowd-sourced geodata, and modeling the spread of invasive species (e.g., termites, tegus) in South Florida. Especially for the latter topic, I enjoy collaborations with faculty from other disciplines that are present at the UF Fort Lauderdale campus, including wildlife ecology or entomology. As an example, we just published a paper (https://rdcu.be/dfaWb) which uses a lattice-based simulation model to predict the infestation locations of a specific subterranean termite in Key West from initial encounter points. Prediction and infestation areas can have a large economic impact since subterranean termites are destructive insect pests that cause billions of dollars in property damage every year. My research group also explores the wide range of social media apps, and, in general, crowd-sourcing platforms and initiatives, which provide a wealth of spatial information for all kinds of analyses, which we summarized in a recent IJGI publication (https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/9/9/526). One related topic we work on is the use of crowdsourced information to determine the effects of COVID-19 on travel behavior. For example, we analyze which social media platforms provide spatio-temporal trajectory data that best reflect travel restrictions (e.g., stay-home orders) posed by regulatory agencies, and how the origins of visitors of points of interest (e.g., Florida State Parks) have changed through the pandemic (e.g., visitors become more local). Another current research topic I am collaborating on is the use of generative AI for the enhancement of crowd-sourced information, such as OpenStreetMap, by fusing data from different sources through different AI tools.

3. As IJGI is an open access journal, can you share with us your opinion regarding the open access model of publication?
Open access leads to enhanced visibility and impact (citations) of a paper and allows it to reach a broader audience compared to traditional publications behind paywalls. It provides, therefore, some advantages for authors, as long as the authors’ institutions have the financial means to pay the Article Processing Charge (APC) or are given exemptions from APC in case of financial hardship. However, the quality and credibility of open access journals can vary widely, and it is paramount for an open access journal to maintain its reputation and legitimacy to distinguish itself from predatory publishers and journals, e.g., through a reputable editorial board and a strict and independent review process.

4. As an editor, what do you look for most to determine if a paper will be published in the journal?
Content and form. The manuscript needs to fit the scope of the journal and appeal to its general readership. If the topic is too specific or lacks a geo-context, it may be deferred to another journal. A manuscript needs to present novel research and underline new findings or improvements quantitatively, e.g., through statistical models, or other methods which are able to evaluate a research hypothesis. It is also important for authors to present the content in a format that successfully conveys the research idea. This includes appropriate formatting and language, legible charts and figures, and a logical, coherent flow of thoughts and explanations.

5. What makes IJGI different from other journals in the field and why would a scholar choose our journal to submit their research?
One of the big differences to many other journals is that IJGI is associated with (and owned by) a large professional society, namely the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, which increases its reputation and credibility. The journal is indexed in several abstract and citation databases and has gradually improved its journal rank and impact factor over the years. It also provides promotion of selected papers through various awards, which may give an additional incentive for authors to submit their manuscripts to this journal.