Geographic Information Systems

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are powerful problem-solving technologies used to create, manage, analyse, and map spatially referenced research data. By integrating location-based information, GIS helps researchers identify patterns, relationships, and spatial context to support analysis, interpretation, and decision making.

SPAN applies GIS as a research discipline using industry standard tools including ESRI software, QGIS, and R/RStudio, delivering advanced spatial analysis and interactive web-based mapping for research projects to create, manage, analyse, and map spatially referenced research data.

SPAN can support your research project:

• Sourcing and evaluating appropriate spatial and non‑spatial datasets.
• Designing and managing field survey and observational data.
• Formatting and structuring data for GIS processing.
• Linking datasets for spatial analysis, mapping, and presentation.
• Providing training and support in using ArcGIS.

Researchers can request access to ArcGIS online to create their own spatial maps and resources.