Yale GIS Accelerator

Yale GIS Accelerator

About the Accelerator

The Yale GIS Accelerator is a one-week GIS instruction program for Yale affiliates who want to learn how to integrate GIS into their research projects, but find it difficult to register for a semester-long course. 

Learning Objectives

Using a guided practice approach, participants will be introduced to tools for analyzing, manipulating, and visualizing spatial data. We will focus on a fundamental understanding of data structures for representing spatial information and different methods to generate insights. At the end of the Accelerator, participants will have a solid foundation in the use of GIS and will be able to:

  • Identify and use spatial data types and formats
  • Process non-spatial data for mapping (display XY, geocode, join, georeference, digitize new features)
  • Produce maps of layered spatial data with appropriate symbology, coordinate systems, legends, etc.
  • Understand basic principles of cartography and the uses of 3D visualization
  • Perform basic spatial analytic techniques to enhance understanding of spatial data. Examples include spatial join, buffer, intersect, union, compute distances, topographic analysis, and map algebra.
  • Understand the basics of spatial statistics (specifically spatial autocorrelation and its effects in OLS regression)
  • Use an online sharing system for broad distribution of mapped results
  • Identify ethical considerations in GIS analysis, geospatial research, and cartographic visualization, and protect the locational data privacy of research subjects and communities

Instructor

Jill Kelly is the primary GIS instructor at the Yale School of Public Health.  She also teaches GIS in the Government Department of Harvard University, Harvard’s Center for Geographic Analysis, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Environmental Studies Program.

Application Information

The Yale GIS Accelerator is designed for those who have a project and dataset, and need support to learn principles of GIS and spatial data management. Registration selection will be based on the necessity of geospatial analysis for their current and proposed projects. 

We’re now accepting applications! Apply by December 1, 2023. Please review the instructions and application form.

Dates: January 8 - January 12, 2023
Location: Hybrid, Marx Library Classroom and Online
 
Unable to commit 1-week during this training period? Please add your Yale contact information to the interest list. We will notify you if we organize another Yale GIS Accelerator. 
 
Pre-requisites
 
No prior experience with GIS is expected from Accelerator participants. However, working knowledge of Windows is assumed.  Mac and Linux users can prepare by learning how to use File Explorer to find and manage files in Windows, launch programs from the Start Menu, unzip downloads, and copy/paste text.
 
Please send your inquiries to miriam.olivares@yale.edu.