Professor Yifang Ban, a leading researcher at Digital Futures and KTH Royal Institute of Technology, has been honored with the GEO Lifetime Achievement Award at the GEO Global Forum held on May 7, 2025. The award recognizes her extraordinary, career-spanning contributions to the field of Earth Observation (EO) and her deep alignment with the mission and core values of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO).
Professor Ban is internationally renowned for pioneering AI-driven EO methodologies that have transformed urban mapping, urbanization monitoring, wildfire detection, disaster response, and climate resilience. Her work has not only advanced scientific research but also had a tangible impact on global sustainability efforts and policy development.
As Co-Lead of the GEO Global Urban Observation and Information (GUOI) initiative, Ban co-developed the influential GEO–UN Habitat EO4SDG Toolkit, a milestone in global monitoring of Sustainable Development Goal 11. She also played a key leadership role in GEO’s AI4EO Subgroup and has been a driving force in EO4SDG, promoting global collaboration, open data access, and inclusive EO practices.
Reflecting on her work, Professor Ban stated:
“By championing open data and accessible tools, fostering global collaboration, and building capacity across diverse communities, I strive to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and real-world application.”
Throughout her career, Ban has been a vocal advocate for capacity-building and equity, enabling developing regions to harness EO technologies for sustainable development. Her dedication to inclusivity and education has significantly expanded global EO adoption and empowered diverse communities to engage in data-driven decision-making.
The GEO Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the GEO mission and whose work has had a measurable, long-term impact on society, the environment, and the EO community. Professor Ban’s recognition reflects not only her scientific excellence but also her tireless efforts to promote global collaborations, foster innovation, and inspire future generations in the field of Earth observation.
Digital Futures congratulates Professor Yifang Ban on this well-deserved recognition and celebrates her continued leadership in shaping a more sustainable and resilient world through digital technologies and Earth observation.
