How can authorities make the best use of rescue boats in the aftermath of a serious storm? Can airport security screenings be faster and safer if it’s easier for transportation workers to spot threats on their screens? Will good maps help experts understand where to send vital resources in emergency situations?

Today, lawmakers and leaders must make big decisions, and they must often do so very quickly.

Because of this, data visualization is an increasingly important specialty of computer engineering. The science of taking in huge amounts of information and displaying it in maps, charts and graphics might be the key to helping the world rapidly understand complex issues to enable people to act on what they learn.

Ross Maciejewski, director of the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, is a leading authority in data visualization. He has been tapped for his expertise in creating visual analytics for homeland security, public health, social media and law enforcement. This week he was inducted into the Visualization Academy by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, or IEEE.

Each year, the Visualization and Graphics Technical Community, or VGTC, selects a handful of specialists to receive the top honor, which is designed to recognize highly significant work.

David S. Ebert, a professor of computer science and ECE Gallogly Chair at the University of Oklahoma who also serves as visualization awards program chair for VGTC, notes the special importance of the induction.

“The Visualization Academy highlights the accomplishments of the leaders in the field,” Ebert says. “Dr. Maciejewski was chosen for his long-term and continued contributions to visualization, visual analytics and social media analytics research.”

The induction was originally scheduled to be held as part of the IEEE VIS2024 conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida. However, Maciejewski instead received the award in an online ceremony after the event went virtual due to weather issues caused by Hurricane Milton.

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