THE UNITED KINGDOM NATIONAL REPORT 
FOR PHOTOGRAMMETRY AND REMOTE SENSING 
1992 - 1996 
Prepared for the UK National Committee for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing 
y 
Dr Roger P Kirby and Dr Tim J Malthus 
Department of Geography 
University of Edinburgh 
KEY WORDS: United Kingdom, National Report, Activities, Developments, Organisations. 
ABSTRACT: 
The National Report of the United Kingdom describes current activities and new developments in photogrammetry and 
remote sensing during the period 1992-1996. The sectors involved are classed as governmental, private commercial 
and educational organisations, as well as suppliers of systems and equipment, consultancy, contract services and 
users. The nature of the balance between photogrammetric and remote sensing interests is assessed and techniques 
and applications of each are categorised. Changes in the levels of activity since 1992 are tabulated and the nature of 
new research and organisational development are considered. The changing relationship between the constituent UK 
societies and organisations concerned with Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is noted as a feature of the report 
period. 
COMPILATION OF THE REPORT: 
This short report follows the pattern established in 1992, in respect of the new ISPRS restriction on page length. The 
information presented is derived partly from 4-pp questionnaires circulated to UK organisations concerned with 
photogrammetry and/or remote sensing and partly from the authors' personal knowledge of activities. The questionnaire 
included both photogrammetry and remote sensing questions. A total of 130 questionnaires were distributed and replies 
were received from 98 [75%]. The authors are members of the Councils of the Photogrammetric Society and the 
Remote Sensing Society respectively, and the first author is additionally a member of the UK National Committee for 
Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Opinions expressed by questionnaire respondents and by the authors do not 
necessarily reflect the views or policy of the UK National Committee. 
1. INSTITUTIONS AND PUBLICATIONS 
The UK National Committee for Photogrammetry and 
Remote Sensing is the adhering body to the International 
Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing and is 
funded by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, 
the Photogrammetric Society and the Remote Sensing 
Society. 
Separate societies continue to cater for the 
photogrammetric and the remote sensing communities in 
the UK. The Photogrammetric Society was founded in 
1952, and currently has 315 UK and 183 overseas 
individual members, which represents a drop of 20% on 
the total of individual members reported in 1992. There 
are also 39 corporate members, including 7 overseas 
corporate members, which represents a drop of 30% on 
four years ago. The official journal of the Society is the 
Photogrammetric Record which continues to be published 
twice yearly and is issued free to members. Since 
October 1992 the Photogrammetric Record has published 
87 refereed articles of which the authors of 60 articles are 
resident in the UK and 27 resident abroad. In addition, 
shorter contributions, abstracts, book reviews et alia are 
published enhancing the journal's high international 
International Archives of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. Vol. XXXI, Part B6. Vienna 1996 
reputation. In addition the Photogrammetric Society 
distributes a newsletter three times a year. 
The Remote Sensing Society was established in 1974 
and celebrated its 21st birthday in 1995. As well as 
coordinating and promoting remote sensing activities, a 
significant role of the Society is in the encouragement of 
commercial and government participation in remote 
sensing, both nationally and internationally. Current 
membership levels are relatively stable at around 800 
members. 
In 1995 a new membership structure was introduced 
which was designed to recognise levels of achievement in 
remote sensing, with membership grades ranging from 
Ordinary members, and with elevation to the grades of 
Member or Fellow with the concomitant styles of MRSSoc 
and FRSSoc respectively, dependent on appropriate 
levels of qualification and experience, as decided by the 
Professional Standards Committee. Great emphasis is 
placed on Corporate membership which is open to 
commercial organisations, research institutions or 
university departments. Student membership is also 
available and represents a significant group within 
society. 
  
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