Health Geography and Spatial Epidemiology

We are a Belgian contact group supported by the FNRS grouping researchers from three Belgian Universities and one SME. We specialize in developing methods and tools in the domain of health geography and spatial epidemiology.

  • Organize an annual workshop for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers to present their work, fostering discussion on methodologies and results in a supportive environment. These workshops also provide an opportunity to stay informed about each other's research, encourage collaborations, and plan joint projects.
  • Establish a mailing list to share relevant news with the network, such as conferences, workshops, publications, job offers, and thesis defenses.
  • Develop a website to promote the group's activities, members, and scientific updates.

SpELL

SpELL is the Spatial Epidemiology Lab at the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), led by Prof. Simon Dellicour. The research activities of SpELL focus on the broad field of spatial epidemiology, investigating the influence of spatial factors on the emergence, spread, persistence, and evolution of diseases and invasive species. SpELL is particularly recognized for its expertise in risk mapping using ecological niche modelling, as well as for its contributions to both applications and methodological advancements in landscape phylogeography. This interdisciplinary field utilizes phylogeographic reconstructions to explore the role of environmental factors in shaping the dispersal history and dynamics of viral lineages.

Medical Geography

The Medical Geography Group, part of the Earth and Climate center of the Earth & Life Institute, is led by Prof. Sophie Vanwambeke. Research activities focus on health as a manifestation of human-environment interactions, with particular attention to land systems. Moving beyond ecological approaches focused on hazard, the team approaches land in a more holistic way, integrating long-term trajectories and management. Past and ongoing work has covered tick-, mosquito-, and rodent-borne diseases in temperate and tropical environments, in the field of human and veterinary health.

Health Geography Group

The Health Geography Group, led by Prof. Catherine Linard, is part of two research institutes at UNamur: the Institute of Life-Earth-Environment (ILEE) and the Namur Research Institute for Life Sciences (NARILIS). Research activities focus on predicting the risk of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases through a systemic approach that integrates both environmental and human factors. The team has also developed methods and tools to deal with spatial processes, including agent-based modelling, species distribution models, risk mapping, and the use of Information and Communication Technologies (cell phones, social media) to map population densities and movements.

Avia-GIS NV

Avia-GIS NV is a Belgian SME based in Zoersel near Antwerp that specializes in spatial risk mapping and modelling as a basis for the development of tailored spatial decision support systems (SDSS) applied to public and animal health in general, and emerging zoonosis and vector-borne diseases in particular. Research activities are coordinated by Cedric Marsboom and focus on the development of state-of-the-art techniques that broaden the scope of conventional analyses, convert data into new insights, and bridge the gap between research and decision-making, including mathematical and spatio-temporal modelling, monitoring via earth observation through satellites and drones, wireless IoT sensor networks, and satellite navigation.

Events

Past:
Present:
Coming next:
  • 4° edition : ULB, 29-30/09/2025