Julian Smit is the current Head of Geomatics at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, having previously held the position of Associate Professor and Head of Geomatics at the University of Cape Town (2006–2022). He completed his BSc (Survey) at UCT in 1993 and continued with postgraduate studies at the same university, earning his PhD in 1997. His doctoral research focused on the application of digital photogrammetric mapping technologies in deep-level mining. In 1998, Dr Smit left academia to manage an aerial survey company specialising in photogrammetric map production and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). In 2003, he started a photogrammetry, remote sensing and GIS company specialising in environmental and land management, before returning to academia in 2006. His research interests lie in the application of GIS, Remote Sensing, and Photogrammetric technologies in environmental and land management. He is registered in three professional categories with the South African Geomatics Council (Professional Engineering Surveyor / Professional Photogrammetric Surveyor / Professional Geoinformation Science Practitioner) and is past Member of Council (SAGC). He is the South African representative to the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) and serves on its International Science Advisory Committee. He was Editor of the South African Journal of Geomatics (2014–2021) and serves on several international journal advisory and scientific boards.