IN FOCUS: Three Weeks Until IGARSS 2025!

By Joanne Van Voorhis

With just weeks to go, final preparations are underway for IGARSS 2025, the IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, taking place August 3–8 at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre in Australia. Hosted by the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS), this year’s symposium carries the theme “One Earth” – a powerful reminder of the global collaboration needed to understand, monitor, and protect our changing planet. There is still time to join the 3000+ experts who are already registered for a week of inspiration, technical exchange, hands-on learning, and community.

Diverse and Comprehensive Technical Program

The technical sessions at IGARSS 2025 span a comprehensive range of geoscience and remote sensing topics, reflecting the field’s depth and diversity. The program, running Monday through Friday, will feature presentations, posters, and focused sessions exploring everything from wildfire detection, land-use classification, and agricultural monitoring to SAR-based surface analysis, atmospheric retrievals, and big data analytics. A strong emphasis on machine learning, physics-informed models, and data fusion techniques winds through the sessions, which also spotlight early findings from next-generation missions like NISAR and Landsat Next, while addressing global-scale challenges including climate resilience, resource management, and environmental change.

Plenary Speakers Share Visionary Insights

Three plenary addresses will kick off the week’s agenda with insights into global environmental challenges and cutting-edge technological responses. Dr. Marta Yebra of the Australian National University and the Bushfire Centre of Excellence will speak about remote sensing approaches for mitigating and managing wildfires. Her presentation will explore how data from space can inform strategies for resilience as fire regimes intensify worldwide. Dr. Karen Joyce, an experienced geospatial scientist and co-founder of the nonprofit She Maps, will focus on coral reef ecosystems and the critical role of Earth observation in safeguarding marine biodiversity. Dr. Xiaoxiang Zhu, a leading figure in AI for remote sensing, will present on the transformative role of artificial intelligence in Earth observation. Her work demonstrates how intelligent systems can enhance the efficiency, scalability, and real-time responsiveness of remote sensing tools across a range of applications.

TIE Events Link Academia, Industry, and Policy

A distinctive feature of IGARSS is its Technology, Industry, and Education (TIE) presentation track, which aims to bridge scientific research with societal application. Key TIE events in 2025 include a session on using remote sensing to protect the Great Barrier Reef, international partnerships supporting the Landsat Next mission, and the application of satellite data toward Sustainable Development Goals in Pacific Island nations. There is also a two-part entrepreneurial workshop featuring an experienced panel of geospatial entrepreneurs with advice to help attendees take their idea for a new geospatial business, product, or service from concept to success as quickly as possible. They will share their startup journeys, including how to seek funding, choose a business incubator or accelerator, and implement the right go-to-market strategy.

IDEA Events Encourage Collaboration 

The IDEA (Inspire, Develop, Empower, Advance) program will also take center stage in Brisbane with a series of events promoting inclusion, mentorship, and professional growth in the geoscience and remote sensing community. Highlights include a panel on breaking barriers in geosciences and remote sensing, a speed mentoring lunch co-hosted with Young Professionals, and the popular IDEA Diversity Luncheon where attendees can network and learn about IDEA-led initiatives including Women in Africa, Microgrants, and Women Mentoring Women.

Young Professionals Track 

IGARSS 2025 incorporates many events specifically designed for early career professionals, designed to boost skills, encourage networking, and provide opportunities to share and present current research and technical interests. YPs joining us in Brisbane will attend skill-building sessions, structured networking, informal socializing, and mentorship opportunities throughout the week. In addition to two engaging breakfast lecture sessions, a speed mentoring lunch, and a presentation skills workshop led by Brian Brophy (Caltech Theater Director and JPL science storytelling coach), the highly popular Young Professionals Mixer brings the community together in a lively informal networking environment to connect with peers, mentors, and potential collaborators. 

Meet and Greet Opportunities

In addition to a welcome reception to kick off the event on Sunday, there are several opportunities at IGARSS to connect with and learn from others! For example, Monday’s GRSS Meet & Greet is a multi-part event that features a chance to engage with IEEE President-Elect Candidates to hear their visions, ask questions, and share ideas on the future direction of IEEE. A Meet and Greet Mixer follows to encourage discussions with IEEE and IEEE GRSS AdCom Members to explore current initiatives and ways to get involved.

Technical Tours and Brisbane!

IGARSS 2025 also offers three carefully curated technical tours that offer exposure to Australia’s unique ecosystems and research environments. An evening tour of the historic Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary will explore how remote sensing supports koala ecology and habitat monitoring. A visit to the CSIRO research site at Pullenvale showcases the institution’s Cyber‑Physical Systems (CPS) program, including robotics, sensing, and AI/ML applications, with guided tours of the facility and presentations on field‑ready geospatial technologies. And a full‑day expedition is available to the Moreton Bay Research Station and North Stradbroke Island to immerse attendees in marine science, featuring field work in seagrass, mangroves, and coral reef monitoring.

Awards and Recognition

The Awards Reception and Ceremony at IGARSS 2025 will be a memorable celebration recognizing outstanding contributions within the GRSS community. The evening will begin with a reception where attendees can unwind in a relaxed networking environment and then join in the formal Awards Ceremony, which honors individuals whose exceptional research, service, and leadership have significantly advanced geoscience and remote sensing. The ceremony acknowledges achievements across categories such as scientific innovation, technical breakthroughs, and community service, and encourages all conference participants to celebrate these successes.

Join us at IGARSS 2025

Ready to join us? Visit the IGARSS 2025 registration portal  to choose your membership status (IEEE member, student member, non-member, etc.), add tutorials or single‑day passes, and complete your registration. And if you’re traveling internationally, you can request an invitation letter to help with visa applications after registering. More details on visa procedures are also online. 

We hope to see you in Brisbane!