Finding, Accessing, and Adding GIS Data to Your Project Online
Looking for data to support your digital mapping project? Geospatial data contains location-based information that can be analyzed and visualized using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Working with spatial data can help researchers uncover patterns, explore relationships, communicate insights effectively, and support evidence-based decision-making.
In this workshop, participants will be introduced to common geospatial data formats and strategies for finding, accessing, and assessing spatial datasets from reliable sources. Whether you are new to GIS or preparing to build a digital mapping project, this session will provide a practical foundation for working with location-based data.
This session is ideal for beginners, researchers, and anyone interested in incorporating spatial data into their work. No prior GIS experience is required.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Differentiate between common geospatial data models.
- Locate datasets using widely used geospatial data repositories and sources.
- Evaluate the suitability and quality of geospatial datasets for specific projects and research needs.
Details: Any preparatory work for the session can be found on its information page. This virtual workshop not be recorded.
Certificate Eligibility: This workshop is eligible for the Sherman Centre's certificate program. For more information, visit scds.ca/certificate-program. It is also eligible for the Canadian Certificate for Digital Humanities. To learn more, visit ccdhhn.ca or contact scds@mcmaster.ca.
- Date:
- Tuesday, February 9, 2027
- Time:
- 10:30am - 11:30am
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Online:
- This is an online event. Event URL will be sent via registration email.
- Audience:
- McMaster + Community
- Categories:
- DASH DRI Training SCDS Sponsored Events Workshops
THE SHERMAN CENTRE FOR DIGITAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship connects people, builds community, and enables research to support and advance digital scholarship. We work with students, faculty, staff, and community collaborators at McMaster and beyond to support research, teaching, learning, and knowledge mobilization through digital scholarship.
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CODE OF CONDUCT
The Sherman Centre and the McMaster University Libraries are committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for its presenters and participants. As a participant in this session, you agree to support and help cultivate an experience that is collaborative, respectful, and inclusive, as well as free of harassment, discrimination, and oppression. We reserve the right to remove participants who exhibit harassing, malicious or persistently disruptive behaviour.
We strive to make this event accessible to everyone. Where possible, sessions are recorded and include live captioning, and we will share recordings, slides, and transcripts afterward so you can revisit the content at your own pace. Because these materials are provided, and to help protect participant privacy and consent, we ask that attendees do not use AI note-taking or automated recording tools (such as Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, Zoom AI Companion, or similar apps) without prior permission from the organizers.
Please refer to our code of conduct webpage for more information.
Christine is the GIS Specialist at McMaster University Libraries, supporting both McMaster and the broader research community in finding and analyzing geospatial data using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software, as well as in creating maps and web mapping applications.
The Sherman Centre for Digital Scholarship supports McMaster students, faculty, and staff, as well as anyone curious about digital scholarship. From research and teaching to training and technical support, we’re here to help bring digital projects to life at every stage!
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