About

Mission and Scope

The Spatial Analysis Lab (the SAL) is a mapping lab dedicated to thoughtful and creative spatial data collection, analysis, and visualization. We strive to promote spatial literacy and spatial justice across the curriculum.

Our approach centers 1) using GIS, drones, and other technologies in ways that are ethical, accessible to disabled and differently-abled users, and appropriate. We also center 2) collaboration with communities at and beyond Smith College to enhance curricular and co-curricular opportunities. Through this, we seek to 3) create accessible, understandable, and compelling maps and datasets.

The scope of our work includes teaching, research, and production, as well as managing two classroom lab spaces. Our work encompasses geographic information, socio-spatial data, and environmental connections. Major details are as follows:

  • Teaching
    • Collaborate with classes across campus through activities, data collection / curation, and guest lectures
    • Work with the Center for the Environment, Ecological Design, and Sustainability (CEEDS), the Libraries, and other units to host co-curricular workshops several times a semester, for students, faculty, and staff
    • Lead classes, such as IDP 109: Aerial Imagery and Cinematography, offered every fall, and IDP 153: Introduction to GIS, offered in J-term 2025
    • Organize and collect spatial data at the scale of campus, Northampton, Massachusetts, and beyond, for class and project use
    • Cultivate student leaders through hiring and mentoring Lab Associates, who hold open help hours and support all lab activities
  • Research
    • Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students on research projects involving spatial data or maps
    • Support and lead environmental mapping and sustainability mapping projects as part of CEEDS, including spatial research at MacLeish Field Station
    • Conduct our own research projects to further spatial literacy and spatial justice on campus
  • Production
    • Create high-quality, creative, and accessible maps and data for print and digital use
  • Classroom lab spaces
    • Make our lab spaces (Sabin-Reed 104, Neilson 012D) available for classes that involve mapping, and, when possible, classes that need a space with our resources
    • Promote student work and professional cartography on the walls of our lab spaces and in map cases
    • Provide/manage the following technology:
      • Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including ArcGIS Pro and QGIS
      • Drones for high-resolution aerial imagery and video collection
      • Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/Global Navigation and Satellite Systems (GNSS) for gathering high-resolution locational information
      • Narrative and participatory mapping programs, including StoryMaps, Survey123, Felt, and a light table
      • Cartographic design programs such as Adobe Creative Suite, Flourish, and Blender
      • Shared drives (J and Q) and ArcGIS Online for data and project sharing