Background

Connie Blok obtained her MSc degree (doctoraal) in human geography with a specialization in cartography at the University of Utrecht. Just before her graduation in 1986, she joined ITC's former Cartography Department that later evolved into the Department of Geo-Information Processing. Her position at ITC varied from contractor to lecturer before she was appointed as assistant professor in 1997. During the time at ITC, she followed several short courses and workshops, and in 2005, she successfully defended her PhD dissertation, again at the University of Utrecht. The title of the dissertation is 'Dynamic visualization variables in animation to support monitoring of spatial phenomena'. Connie Blok is a member of the Dutch society Geo-Informatie Nederland and is affiliated to two commissions of the International Cartographic Association: the Commission on Geovisualization and the Commission on Education and Training as (corresponding) member. She has been editor of the former Netherlands Cartographic Journal (Kartografisch Tijdschrift, now merged into Geo-Info) from 1993-2004 and chair of the editorial board from 1995-1997.

Activities in education

Connie Blok has been involved in all aspects related to education: course design, execution and coordination, teaching and supervision (MSc and other levels), testing and evaluation, acquisition of contract education, and membership of various educational commissions and boards. Although mostly active in the GFM courses, she also contributes to PGM courses and acts as ITC liaison for the GIMA MSc programme.

Activities in research

The main research interests are in methods and tools to visualize the dynamic aspects of (large, multivariate, spatially and temporally heterogeneous) sets of geodata, and in facilitation of reasoning and knowledge extraction from the above visualizations, taking perceptual and cognitive limits of users into account. Currently, the emphasis is on visualization and knowledge extraction from movement-related data sets, but other types of dynamic geodata are not excluded. Connie Blok is involved in PhD supervision, is frequently asked to peer-review submissions for conferences and journals, and has been a member of the programme committee of several conferences/workshops. Two thesis-related travel awards have been granted: by the United States National Science Foundation (NSF) to attend NCGIA's Varenius Project meeting on Cognitive Models of Dynamic Phenomena and their Representations in Pittsburgh (1998) and by the German Science Foundation (DFG) to attend the Workshop Maps and Diagrams in Hamburg (1999). Research output consists of publications and presentations that are listed below.

Activities in project services

Connie Blok has worked on several projects related to education or research. The activities vary from design and development of (e-)courseware (alone or with European partners), execution and coordination of the courses (e.g. in the Netherlands, in Oman); to research on the visualization of uncertainty in planning maps; and design, execution and analysis of an expert evaluation of automated generalization software.

Publications

ISI Journal Articles

Stoter, J.E., Burghardt, D., Duchêne, C., Baella, B., Bakker, N., Blok, C.A. and ... [et al.] (2009) Methodology for evaluating automated map generalization in commercial software. In: Computers, Environment and Urban Systems : an international journal, 13 (2009)5, pp. 311-324. Full text | Full text

Turdukulov, U.D., Kraak, M.J. and Blok, C.A. (2007) Designing a visual environment for exploration of time series of remote sensing data : in search for convective clouds. In: Computers and Graphics, 31(2007)3, pp. 370-379. Full text | Full text

Other Refereed Journal Articles

Turdukulov, U.D., Blok, C.A. and ... [et al.] (2007) Connecting users with their data : an environment to explore the morphodynamics of rip channels. In: Cartographica : the international journal for geographic information and geovisualization, 42 (2007)2, pp. 139-151. Full text

Slocum, T.A., Blok, C.A., Bin Jiang, Koussoulakou, A., Montello, D.R., Fuhrmann, S. and Hedley, N.R. (2001) Cognitive and usability issues in geovisualization. In: Cartography and geographic information science, 28 (2001)1, pp. 61-75. Full text | Full text

Blok, C.A., Köbben, B.J., Tao Cheng and Kuterema, A.A. (1999) Visualization of relationships between spatial patterns in time by cartographic animation. In: Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 26(1999)2, pp. 139-151.

Mank, A.M. and Blok, C.A. (1987) Production of the geomorphologic map of Sri Lanka. In: ITC journal : bulletin de l'ITC,  (1987)1, pp. 18-22.

Blok, C.A. (1987) Testing symbols on a Dutch tourist map, scale 1:50.000. In: ITC journal : bulletin de l'ITC,  (1987)1, pp. 67-72.

Book Chapters

Blok, C.A. (2005) Interactive animation to visually explore time series of satellite imagery. In: Visual information and information systems : 8th international conference VISUAL 2005, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, July 5, 2005 : revised selected papers. / ed by S. Bres and R. Laurini. Berlin etc.: Springer, 2006. ISBN 3-540-30488-6. (Lecture Notes in Computer Science ; 3736) pp. 71-82.

Blok, C.A. (2001) Web maps and weather. In: Webcartography : developments and prospects / M.J. Kraak and A. Brown (eds.) London etc. : Taylor and Francis, 2001. ISBN 0-7484-0868-1 pp. 159-170. Full text

Blok, C.A. (2000) Monitoring change : characteristics of dynamic geo - spatial phenomena for visual exploration. In: Spatial Cognition II : an interdisciplinary approach to representing and processing spatial knowledge / Ch. Freksa ... [et al.] (eds.) Berlin : Springer verlag, 2000. ISBN 3-540-64603-5 (Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence : 1404) pp. 16-30. Full text

PhD Theses

Blok, C.A., Ormeling, F.J. (promotor) and Kraak, M.J. (promotor)  (2005) Dynamic visualization variables in animation to support monitoring of spatial phenomena. Utrecht, Enschede, Universiteit Utrecht, ITC, 2005. ITC Dissertation  119, Nederlandse Geografische Studies = Netherlands Geographical Studies  328, 188 p. ISBN: 90-6809-367-3. Full text

Conference Proceedings (full papers)

Becker, T., Köbben, B.J. and Blok, C.A. (2009) Timemapper : visualizing moving object data using WMS time and SVG SMIL interactive animations. In: Proceedings SVGOpen 2009 : 7th international conference on scalable vector graphics, 2-4 October 2009, Mountain View, USA. 13 p. Full text | Full text

Blok, C.A., Turdukulov, U.D., Köbben, B.J. and Calle Pomares, J.L. (2009) Web - based visual exploration and error detection in large data sets : Antartic iceberg tracking data as a case. In: ICC 2009 : Proceedings of the 24th international cartographic conference ICC : The world's geo - spatial solutions, 15-21 November, 2009 Santiago, Chile. - Santiago : International Cartographic Association (ICA) ISBN 978-1-907075-02-5. Full text

Qiuju Zhang, Blok, C.A. and Xinming Tang (2008) Animated representation of uncertainty and fuzziness in Dutch spatial planning maps. In: ISPRS 2008 : Proceedings of the XXI congress : Silk road for information from imagery : the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, 3-11 July, Beijing, China. Comm. II, ThS6. Beijing : ISPRS, 2008. pp. 1043-1048. Full text | Full text

Blok, C.A. (2008) Sharing e-courses in GI science with partners : business model, experiences, and lessons learnt : invited paper + powerpoint. In: Sharing good practices : e-learning in surveying, geo - information sciences and land administration, proceedings FIG International Workshop 11-13 June 2008 ITC, Enschede The Netherlands Enschede : Apeldoorn : Fredrikshaven : ITC, Kadaster, FIG, 2008. ISBN 978-90-6164-271-8. pp. 271-282. Full text | Full text | Full text | Full text

Banerjee, S., Agarwal, S. and Blok, C.A. (2007) A conceptual design of visualization of temporal vegetation data. In: Proceeding of Map World Forum 2007: a global confluence of geospatial thoughts, 22-25 January 2007, Hyderabad, India. 9 p. Full text | Full text

Blok, C.A. (2007) Sharing e - cources with European partners : experiences with geodata visualization. In: ICC 2007 : Proceedings of the 23nd international cartographic conference ICC: Cartography for everyone and for you, 4-10 August 2007 Moscow, Russia. Moscow: International Cartographic Association (ICA), 2007. ISBN: 0-958-46093-0. 14 p. Full text

Blok, C.A. (2005) Dynamic visualization variables in animation to support monitoring. In: ICC 2005 : Proceedings of the 22nd international cartographic conference : mapping approaches into a changing world, 9-16 July 2005, A Coruña, Spain. International Cartographic Association (ICA), 2005. ISBN: 0-958-46093-0. pp. 10. Full text

Köbben, B.J. and Blok, C.A. (2005) GIMA : a distance learning MSc degree in geographical information management and applications. In: Internet-based cartographic teaching and learning : atlases, map use and visual analytics : joint ICA commission seminar 6-8 July 2005, part of ICC 2005 the 22nd international cartographic conference : mapping approaches into a changing world, 9-16 July 2005, A Coruña, Spain. pp. 66-71.

Blok, C.A. (2001) Dynamic visualization variables and their control in animations of geospatial data. In: Proceedings 20th International Cartographic Conference : Mapping the 21st century, Beijing, China, August 6-10, 2001. 2 p. Full text

Blok, C.A. (1999) Monitoring of spatio - temporal changes : characteristics of dynamics for visual exploration. In: ICC 1999 : Proceedings of the 19th International cartographic conference and 11th general assembly : touch the past, visualize the future : August 14-21, 1999 Ottawa. International Cartographic Association (ICA), 1999. : CD-ROM. pp. 699-709.

Weili Jao, Kainz, W., Blok, C.A. and Ellis, M.C. (1996) Multimedia in municipal information system. In: JEC'96 2nd joint European conf. & Exhibition on Geographical Information, Barcelona, Spain 1996. pp. 1024-1035.

Wanhong Mao, van Elzakker, C.P.J.M., Blok, C.A. and Sun, Y. (1995) A prototype of a national atlas information system of China based on ARC - INFO. In: ICC 1995 : Proceedings of the 17th International cartographic conference and 10th general assembly : Cartography crossing borders : 3-9 September 1995, Barcelona, Spain. International Cartographic Association (ICA), 1995. vol. 1. pp. 1315-1324. - Also Dutch edition.

Blok, C.A. (1995) Supporting scientific visualization : a cartographer's task. In: Proceedings of the seminar on teaching animated cartography : Madrid, Spain August 30 - September 1, 1995. pp. 107-113.

Blok, C.A. (1993) The perception of the representation of temporal change in choropleth maps for visually handicapped people. In: Proceedings 16th international cartographic conference Cologne 3-9 May 1993 : Vol. 2, pp. 910-923.

Scientific and Professional Publications

Stoter, J., Baella, B., Blok, C.A. and ... [et al.] (2010) State - of - the - art of automated generalisation in commercial software. EuroSDR, 2010. 231 p. Full text | Full text

Vullings, L.A.E., Blok, C.A. and ... [et al.] (2009) Omgaan met digitale nationale beleidskaarten. Wageningen, Wageningen UR, 2009. Wettelijke onderzoekstaken Natuur & Milieu : werkdocument  141, 46 p. Full text | Full text

Vullings, L.A.E., Wessels, C.G.A.M., Bulens, J.D., Blok, C.A. and ... [et al.] (2009) Raamwerk voor omgaan met onzekerheid binnen de ruimtelijke ordening GEO3. Wageningen, Alterra, 2009. Alterra special publication  1847, 125 p. Full text | Full text

Blok, C.A. (compiler)  (2007) Report e - learning lessons : experiences and prospects, Wednesday 23 May 2007, Auditorium ITC.. Enschede, ITC, 2007. 56 p. Full text | Full text

Blok, C.A., van Elzakker, C.P.J.M., Köbben, B.J. and Ormeling, F.J. (2007) Verslag 23e Internationale kartografische conferentie : Moskou, 4 - 9 Augustus 2007. In: Geo - Info : tijdschrift voor geo - informatie Nederland (GIN), 4 (2007)10, pp. 398-403. Full text | Full text

Blok, C.A. (2005) Dynamische visualisatievariabelen in animaties voor het monitoren van ruimtelijke fenomenen. In: Geo - Info : tijdschrift voor geo - informatie Nederland (GIN), 2 (2005)5, pp. 266-267.

Blok, C.A. (2002) In memoriam Allen Brown 1943 - 2002. In: Kartografisch Tijdschrift, 28(2002)4, pp. 5.

Blok, C.A. (2002) Vergelijking van de effectiviteit van dynamische visualisatievariabelen in view - only en interactive animaties : bij een gebruikerstest te onderzoeken aspecten. In: Kartografisch Tijdschrift, 28(2002)1, pp. 7-14.

Blok, C.A. (2001) Air apparent, how meteorologists learned to map, predict and dramatize weather. - by M.S. Monmonier. - Chicago; University of Chicago Press, 1999 : book review. In: Kartografisch tijdschrift, 27 (2001)1, pp. 50-51.

Ogao, P.J. and Blok, C.A. (2001) Cognitive aspects on the representation of dynamic environmental phenomena using animations. In: Environmental information systems in industry and public administration / C. Rautenstrauch and S. Patig. Hershey : Idea Group, 2001. ISBN 1-930708-02-5 pp. 13-24.

Blok, C.A. (2001) Some truth with maps : a primer on symbolization and design. - by A.M. MacEachren : book review. In: Kartografisch tijdschrift, 28 (2001)1, pp. 50-51.

Blok, C.A. (2000) Het monitoren van veranderingen : kenmerken van dynamische ruimtelijke verschijnselen voor visuele exploratie. In: Kartografisch Tijdschrift, 26(2000)1, pp. 5-11.

Blok, C.A. (1998) Dynamic visualization variables in a developing framework for the representation of geographic data. In: Bulletin du Comite Francais de Cartographie, (1998)156, pp. 89-97.

Blok, C.A. (1998) A web cartography forum : an evaluation site for visualization tools : working paper for meeting of the ICA commission on visualization in Warsaw, May 1998. Full text

Blok, C.A. (1995) Aandacht voor atlaskartografie : tendensen in ruim een kwart eeuw informatievoorziening op atlasgebied. In: Kartografisch tijdschrift, 21 (1995)3, pp. 47-52.

Blok, C.A. (1995) Routekaart Nederland '95 - '96. In: Kartografisch tijdschrift, 21 (1995)2, pp. 49-51.

Blok, C.A. (1994) De factor tijd in choropletenkaarten voor zeer slechtzienden. In: Kartografisch tijdschrift, 20 (1994)1, pp. 28-33.

Wanhong Mao, van Elzakker, C.P.J.M., Blok, C.A. and Sun, Y. (1994) Een prototype van een nationale atlas informatiesysteem van China gebaseerd op ARC - INFO. In: Electronische atlassen / onder red. van M.A. Damoiseaux. - (NVK publikatiereeks ; 12), pp. 41-50. - Also english edition.

Blok, C.A. (1991) De grote lijn atlas : Nederland en Europa : boekbespreking. In: Kartografisch tijdschrift, 17 (1991)3, pp. 54-55.

Blok, C.A. (1991) Kaartontwerp voor visueel gehandicapten. In: Week van de aangepaste lectuur : Dag van het relief : Stichting Bibliotheek Le Sage ten broek, Vrijdag 8 november 1991, 7 p.

Blok, C.A. (1988) Symboolontwerp voor kaarten ten behoeve van blinden : oefening in symboolontwerp. In: Symboolontwerp en kleurgebruik, verslag kartografische stiduedagen NVK in Rolduc 1986 / ed.by D. Kootstra en F.J. Ormeling. Amersfoort: NVK, 1986. pp.

Blok, C.A. (1986) Kaartontwerp voor visueel gehandicapten. In: Kartografisch tijdschrift, 12 (1986)3, pp. 28-34, 46.

Blok, C.A., Heuvelmans, J. and Kootstra, D.P. (1986) Onderzoek naar de begrijpelijkheid van symbolen op de VVV - kaart voor vakantie en vrije tijd : 1:50.000. In: Kartografisch tijdschrift, 12 (1986)3, pp. 35-39, 46.

Blok, C.A. (1983) Blindenkaart van Den Haag. In: De Nieuwe Geografenkrant, 8(1983).

Blok, C.A. and ... [et al.] (1982) Blik op wonen : thematic atlas of The Netherlands. Enschede, ITC, 1982. 23 p.

Presentations

Dopheide, E.J.M., Brussel, M.J.G., Sliuzas, R.V., Amer, S., ten Dam, G.T.M. and Blok, C.A. (2008) Msc curriculum on urban planning and management in geo - information science context : a balancing act : abstract + full text. Presented at the Fourth joint ACSP / AESOP congress, Bridging the divide : Celebrating the City, 6-12 July 2008, Chicago, USA. pp. 291-292. Full text | Full text

Blok, C.A. (2008) Space - time visualisation and usability research at ITC : powerpoint. Presented a technical meeting Geographic Institute Zürich, Zwitserland, 22-23 April 2008. 32 slides. Full text

Turdukulov, U.D. and Blok, C.A. (2008) Visual analytics to explore iceberg behaviour : extended abstract + powerpoint. Presented at Workshop 'GeoVisualization of Dynamics, Movement and Change’ of the ICA Commission on GeoVisualization at the AGILE 2008 Conference, May 5, 2008. Girona, Spain. 4 p. + 16 slides. Full text | Full text | Full text | Full text

Blok, C.A., van den Worm, J. and Feringa, W.F. (2008) Workshop LNV case GEO3 project : visualisatie : poverpoint. Presented at Workshop Omgaan met Nationale Beleidskaarten, 13 November 2008 Utrecht. 15 slides. Full text

Blok, C.A. (2007) The eduGI project and the geodata visualization course : powerpoint. In: Report e - learning lessons : experiences and prospects, Wednesday 23 May 2007, Auditorium ITC. / ed. by C.A. Blok. Enschede : ITC, 2007. pp. 30-34. Full text | Full text

Blok, C.A. (2007) Sharing e - courses in GI science with European partners : experiences with geodata visualization : powerpoint. In: Report of the GIS Open 2007 e - learning sessing : from surveying to geoinformatics, 12-14 March, 2007, Szekesfehervar, Hungary. pp. 66-84. Full text | Full text

Blok, C.A. (2003) Dynamic visualization variables in animation : their use for the monitoring of spatial dynamics : abstract. In: ICC 2003 : Proceedings of the 21st international cartographic conference : cartographic renaissance, 10-16 August 2003, Durban, South Africa. International Cartographic Association (ICA), 2003 pp. 98-99. Full text

Blok, C.A. (2003) Dynamische visualisatievariabelen in animaties en te ontwikkelen scenario's voor het monitoren van ruimtelijke veranderingen : abstract. In: Geo-Informatiedag Nederland 2002 GIN, presentaties en demonstraties over onderzoek, ontwikkelingen en praktijktoepassingen op het gebied van geo-informatie, TUDelft 2002. pp. 21-23.

Blok, C.A. (1998) Cognitive models of dynamic phenomena and their representation : perspective on aspects of the research topic. Presented at NCGIA's Varenius project meeting Pittsburgh, 4 p. Full text

Blok, C.A. (1997) Dynamic visualization variables in animations : their use for the monitoring of spatio - temporal data : abstract. In: Report on the ICA commission on visualization workshop in Gävle, Sweden, June 18-21, 1997. Full text