UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The use of geographic information systems (GIS) has proliferated, especially in the last decade, and has greatly expanded the connotation of GIS technology from primarily a diverse suite of digital objects, representations, and devices that create or make use of geographical information to a mediated means with which we humans experience, explore, or make sense of the world.

Bo Zhao, an associate professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Washington, will give a talk discussing his research that looks at GIS from a humanistic perspective, which offers a sincere quest to develop and use GIS in ways that will be more empathetic and better for humanity.

In his talk, “Humanistic GIS: Toward a Research Agenda,” Zhao will discuss how the research perspective of humanistic GIS is proposed to better encompass the expanded category of GIS technology as well as the opportunities and challenges that go with it. His talk will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, via Zoom.

Zhao’s talk is part of the Spring 2023 "Coffee Hour" seminar series hosted by Penn State’s Department of Geography.

Zhao earned his doctorate in geography from Ohio State University in 2015.  Zhao’s research efforts lie at the intersection between GI science and human geography; this develops a unique research agenda around the social implications of newly emerging GIS technologies, especially for the interests of vulnerable populations such as refugees displaced by climate change effects and other factors.

To learn more and access the Zoom information, visit the Coffee Hour event webpage.