Michael Goodchild is a geographer and a pioneer in the field of geographic information science (GIS). He was born on February 24, 1944, in Surrey, England, and obtained his PhD in geography from the University of Bristol in 1969.
Goodchild is known for his research on GIS, spatial analysis, and remote sensing. He has authored or co-authored over 15 books and more than 500 articles, and has received numerous awards for his contributions to the field of geography and GIS.
In addition to his academic work, Goodchild has been involved in various organizations and initiatives related to GIS, including serving as the editor of the journal "Geographical Analysis" and as the founding chair of the National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis (NCGIA) in the United States.
Goodchild is currently a professor emeritus of geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and continues to be active in research and teaching.