University Libraries
Mapping Out
By Hector Escobar and Erik Ziedses des Plantes
On Nov. 20, Roesch Library hosted its first GIS Day, a global event promoting the use and understanding of geographic information systems. Established in 1999 and sponsored by Esri, the developer of ArcGIS software, GIS Day highlights the diverse applications of GIS across various fields.
We collaborated with Chia-Yu Wu, associate professor of geology, and Katie Schoenenberger from facilities management to coordinate and host this year’s activities.
It began in the Scholars’ Commons. Biology doctoral student Kara Gregory shared her work on predicting road crossings and collision hotspots for the expanding black bear population in Missouri. Her research aims to inform the creation of wildlife crossings and increased signage in high-risk areas.
Wu presented his research on the use of social media data to identify and map areas in the United States with high concentrations of hate speech directed toward people of Asian descent during the pandemic. This research sheds light on the spatial distribution of online hate speech and its potential societal impacts.
Undergraduate students in geology also shared research in the form of poster presentations. Yonas Gebreslasie Hagos shared his research on sediment changes on a lake in Ethiopia. Joseph Baker’s project was about predicting future extreme precipitation in Ohio based on climate models and GIS. Lizbeth Ramos-Ortiz investigated drought trends throughout the Southwestern United States.
A virtual panel featured guest speakers who discussed the significance of GIS in their professional lives. Caroline Johnstone ’19 shared insights into how GIS has supported her work in industry and municipal government, highlighting the versatility of GIS across different sectors. Kayla Harris, associate professor and director of the Marian Library, explored the intersection of GIS and the humanities, discussing her use of StoryMaps to create interactive narratives that connect place and story.
Schoenenberger created a survey map for the week of GIS Day that invited the UD community to share their favorite locations on campus. Participants dropped pins on the map and could upload pictures of their chosen spots. It was a great way to share places on campus that brought inspiration to individuals on campus.
The University of Dayton offers a graduate certificate in GIS through the geology department. This program equips professionals, graduate students and undergraduate students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work in a variety of fields that use GIS, including urban planning, real estate, health care, government and transportation. The certificate program can be completed in three semesters.
Through research presentations, panel discussions and interactive activities, GIS Day fostered a deeper understanding of GIS and its versatile applications across industries and academic disciplines. As GIS continues to evolve and expand its reach, events like GIS Day are vital platforms for education, collaboration and innovation.
— Hector Escobar is an associate professor in the University Libraries, where he is a data support librarian and the liaison for social sciences departments; Erik Ziedses des Plantes is an assistant professor and the University Libraries’ research and scholarly engagement librarian.