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Spatial Modelling Lab
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Team
Prof. René Westerholt
Lab leader Professor René Westerholt Previous tab Next tab Profile Curriculum Vitæ Research Teaching Contact Profile »Coming from a background in geoinformatics, my research focuses on statistical methods for the analysis of spatiotemporal and place-based information. Using a wide range of approaches, my focus is on measures of spatial autocorrelation, hotspot statistics, spatial filtering, and spatial regression. In addition to this statistical focus, my research is also dedicated to the understanding and analysis of place-based information, such as representations of how people perceive, live, and conceptualise their everyday geographies. In addition to my methodological research, I am likewise interested in quantitative geographical studies that add an empirical dimension to my work. The latter enables me to apply my methodological expertise and innovations in a wide interdisciplinary and collaborative context.« © René Westerholt Curriculum Vitæ Research Experience Since 2025: Professor, TU Dortmund University, Germany Department of Spatial Planning 2019 – 2025: Juniorprofessor; TU Dortmund University, Germany Department of Spatial Planning 2018 – 2019: Assistant Professor; University of Warwick, UK Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies 2013 – 2018: Research Assistant, Research Associate; Heidelberg University, Germany GIScience Research Group , Institute of Geography 2013: Visiting Scholar; Harvard University, USA Center for Geographic Analysis , Institute for Quantitative Social Science 2011 – 2012: Research Assistant; STAGU Osnabrück, Germany Steinbeis Transfer Centre for Applied Geosciences and Environmental Research Education 2013 – 2018: Dr. rer. nat. (Ph.D.) in Geography; Heidelberg University, Germany 2010 – 2012: M.Sc. Geoinformatics; Osnabrück University, Germany 2007 – 2010: B.Sc. Geoinformatics; Osnabrück University, Germany Practical Experience 2011 – 2017: Software Developer; Osnabrück University, Germany Botanical Garden 2010 – 2011: Software Developer; Martin Luther University of Halle–Wittenberg, Germany Institute of Geography Awards and Honours 06/2024: Second Prize, Best Short Paper Competition AGILE 2024 Conference , Glasgow, UK 03/2019: Dissertation Award Geoinformatics 2019 Runder Tisch GIS e.V., Technical University of Munich, Germany 04/2018: First Prize, CDRC Data Challenge GISRUK’18 Conference, Leicester, UK 03/2014: Young Researchers Award 2013 North-German Society for Geoinformatics (GiN), Germany 03/2014: International Mobility Grant Funding German Universities Excellence Initiative II, Germany 01/2013: PhD Scholarship Talent support programme of the Federal State of Baden-Württemberg, Germany Research My research interests cover a broad spectrum, which revolves around both spatial and place-related quantitative methods. Spatial analysis is my main focus, with a special emphasis on the analysis of user-generated geographical information. A second focus is place-based research, where I am particularly interested in the formalisation and methodological processing of place-based and place-related information. A third focus of my research interests is on empirical geographical studies. All these emphases are reflected in the research themes of the Lab and in the current research projects . Please find my publications here ! Teaching Office hours ("Sprechstunde") for Summer Term 2026 (during term time): Thursdays, 10 am–11 am. Please use the online appointment scheduling system to request one (or multiple consecutive, if needed) regular 15-mins appointment slot(s). My teaching portfolio comprises a wide range of modules, including GIS, spatial analysis, urban analytics, and computer science. I have taught these modules both in a national and international context, in German and English, and at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Contact Prof. Dr René Westerholt TU Dortmund University Department of Spatial Planning Room GBIII/318 August-Schmidt-Straße 10 44227 Dortmund Germany Tel.: +49 (0)231 7552287 Email: rene.westerholt@tu-dortmund.de …
