We actively coordinate and lead Earth observation activities in Australia and internationally to ensure the field continues to advance and that Australia and other countries can access EO data and analysis tools. EO provides essential environmental information for public and private agencies globally – our role is to develop and maintain access to this.

There are several formally established and funded groups that operate within our centre. These are complemented by several areas of activities where there is a critical mass of research and researchers. Our three focus research areas are:

  • Biophysical remote sensing

  • Image acquisition, processing, analysis and visualisation

  • Communication, sharing and application

These cut across our four work programs, where we group our staff, students, funding and coordination:

  1. Centre research coordination and training

  2. Core projects

  3. Earth observation coordination

  4. Long term sustainability

The Earth Observation Research Centre is located at the School of the Environment at The University of Queensland 

About Us.

We use Earth observation (EO) data, also called remotely sensed data, collected from ground, submarine, airborne and satellite sensors, along with field data and various processing algorithms and programming codes, to measure, map and monitor biophysical properties in terrestrial, atmospheric and aquatic environments.

The information we produce is developed in association with scientists and managers to better understand and manage the Earth’s environments and resources.

Our research provides private and public sector organisations with the techniques to turn satellite and airborne images and field survey data into meaningful maps or information for one or many points in time. These results can then be used to better understand where, how and why environments are changing, and to separate natural changes from those produced by humans.

A little History.

1999 – 2003


2004 - 2009


2010 - 2014


2015 - 2023

2024 - current

Our centre has progressed through several changes since we were established in 1999:

Biophysical Remote Sensing Group

Centre Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Science

Centre for Spatial Environmental Research

Remote Sensing Research Centre


Earth Observation Research Centre

Logo design by Gillian Rowan, with input from Ana Patricia Ruiz Beltran and Jo Edkins.

Logo concept: The graphic symbolizes the diverse spheres of research being unified as the EORC. The left side of the logo represents active remote sensing, with the concentric layers of points evoking the structural nature of this type of data. The right side represents passive remote sensing as pixels of varying size and colour, denoting the wide range of spatial scales and environments being studied in our centre.