By: Kelly Huth
The answers to some complex interdisciplinary problems may lie in geospatial technologies.
Whether it’s census data research exploring the intersection of society and race, or mapping that can help to explain or predict behavior, the application and analysis of GIS data could be beneficial in both academic and applied settings.
“Students leave here going into jobs that utilize geospatial technologies,” says John Wilson, lab coordinator in the Geology Department. “It doesn’t matter if you’re graduating with a degree in economics, government and law, geology, engineering, arts, or humanities—geospatial technologies are everywhere.”
Over the last several months, and with support from the Office of the Provost, a team of faculty and staff have been sharing expertise and coordinating and compiling GIS resources, contacts, and projects across campus.
Wilson in coordination with Mike Nass, project manager, ITS; John Clark, geospatial services librarian, Lafayette College Libraries; Caleb Gallemore, associate professor and chair, International Affairs Program; Jim Nicnick, web developer, ITS; and Angela Perkins, director of Digital Scholarship Services, Lafayette College Libraries, will debut a Geospatial Technologies Community of Practice (CoP) in October, and a new GIS site to follow in early November. The CoP is open to all students, faculty, and staff, with the first meeting slated for 1-2 p.m. Oct. 31 in Van Wickle, Room 106.
Wilson says the site and CoP are resources the campus needs, and provide a way to connect and promote the research and work already happening on campus across disciplines.
The GIS site will showcase materials, software, and contacts working with GIS analysis and mapping as part of their research, coursework, or in their campus role.
Students can use the site to find classes that can teach them more about GIS, as well as links to library resources and software they can access with their Lafayette credentials.
The site will feature faculty research and class projects to showcase what people are doing on campus and what’s possible.
Wilson and Nass say the tools could have applications for staff as well, such as providing mapping data for Facilities, ITS, or Admissions.
“There may be someone on campus who really wants to do a project or research but may feel they don’t have the background to use GIS, but there are people across campus who have these skills and will help them learn to use GIS to solve critical problems,” Wilson says.
The CoP will also sponsor a lecture for National GIS Day Nov. 19. Additional details will be shared closer to the event.