Rein Ahas

Rein Ahas (born 1966) is an Estonian geographer and professor of human geography at the University of Tartu. He is primarily known for his work on mobilities, particularly the geography of mobile communication, mobile positioning, and the societal impacts of mobile technologies. His research also focuses on volunteered geographic information (VGI), urban geography, and the applications of GIS.

Ahas has been involved in numerous research projects exploring the patterns and dynamics of human movement and interaction using mobile phone data and other digital traces. He has significantly contributed to the development of methodologies for analyzing large-scale mobile phone datasets to understand urban structure, commuting patterns, tourism behavior, and the spread of information. His work often emphasizes the ethical considerations and privacy implications associated with using personal mobility data for research and planning purposes.

Ahas has published extensively in leading international geography and urban studies journals. He has also actively participated in international academic collaborations and served on editorial boards of several journals. His contributions have been influential in shaping the field of mobile geographies and understanding the evolving relationship between technology, space, and society.