Articles

Plugins in QGIS

This intermediate-level workshop is meant to extend basic knowledge of QGIS by exploring common plugins. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to use plugins to

  • Access dynamic basemaps hosted on web servers
  • Query and download Open Street Map (OSM) data
  • Geocode address data from a spreadsheet, and
  • Create an interactive webmap from a QGIS project

Familiarity with GIS is prerequisite for this workshop.

This workshop is taught by a graduate student in Geography with expertise in GIS and cartographic methods.

Things to do before arriving:

QGIS is a free and open source desktop geographic information system (GIS). It can be installed on Windows, MacOS, and Linux using the download instructions here: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html.

Before attending, please download the most recent QGIS Long Term Release and review the Research Commons’ Introduction to QGIS.

Location details:

Thursday, June 26, 2025
10am – 12pm PST
ONLINE via Zoom

Register Here: https://libcal.library.ubc.ca/event/3898142

StoryMaps with ArcGIS Online

This workshop is a gentle introduction to creating StoryMaps using the ArcGIS Online platform designed for those new to mapping projects. StoryMaps offer a low-barrier way to visualize spatial narratives that can be shared with your friends, community, or stakeholders. The StoryMaps interface is quite intuitive, with drag and drop options that result in an aesthetic output. No prior experience necessary. This workshop makes use of the free account option, though you are welcome to work within a personal or organizational account if you have a paid subscription.

By the end of this workshop, you will:

  • Know the differences between Public vs. Enterprise accounts for ArcGIS Online products, as well as be aware of the limitations of working with a free account
  • Gain basic familiarity with ArcGIS StoryMaps by exploring the interface and creating a StoryMap of your own
  • Learn how to add text, images, video, maps, and immersive content to a StoryMap
  • Understand the workflow of creating a web map with ArcGIS Online and embedding it in a StoryMap
  • Identify resources for future mapping projects

Things to do before arriving:

Prior to the workshop, please create a free ArcGIS Online public account. If you have a paid account with Esri, you can choose to use your regular sign-in or create a separate free account to follow along.

While we will be providing workshop data that you are welcome to use, you are encouraged to prepare at least 4 images from your daily commute or a walk you recently went on to incorporate into your project.

 

Where & When:

ONLINE via Zoom

Tuesday, May 13, 2025
1 – 3pm PST

Register Here: https://libcal.library.ubc.ca/event/3898119

GIS and Spatial Tools Monthly Drop-In

Are you working on a GIS or digital spatial project and looking for support? Join the GIS Team at UBC Library and other researchers working on spatial projects for a collective drop-in working session. These sessions are meant to offer a collegial environment to share knowledge and ideas, dedicated time for you to work on your spatial projects and an opportunity to connect with other researchers. Feel free to drop by at any time during the session.

Where: Koerner Library, Presentation Room 548/552

When: 1 – 3pm PST
Thursday, February 27, 2025 (Register HERE)
Thursday, March 27, 2025 (Register HERE)
Thursday, April 24, 2025 (Register HERE)

 

 

 

 

Telling Spatial Stories with Data

This introductory workshop is targeted toward scholars, practitioners, and researchers who are interested in finding ways to represent their data and research materials spatially. Rather than focusing on a single software or technical workflow, participants will be introduced to a variety of methods, tools, and platforms to create maps or spatial representations. Participants will also be walked through key questions to manage research projects, and learn how to evaluate tools and workflows for their applicability to their projects.

Think of this workshop as a wayfinding tutorial for navigating what questions to ask yourself at the beginning of a project comprising spatial data. By the end of this workshop series, participants will be able to:

  • Design a project to tell a spatial story with your data
  • Identify suitable methods/tools/platforms of spatial visualization to best represent research idea
  • Inventory and assemble the necessary resources to begin

Though there will be an example project, participants are invited to bring their own projects/datasets to work through together.

Not sure if this workshop is for you? Non-geospatial experts are welcome, especially those interested in spatial approaches to humanities research and data.

This workshop is taught by a graduate student in Geography with expertise in GIS and cartographic methods.

Where and When:

Thursday, May 8, 2025
10am -12pm PST

ONLINE via Zoom

Register for PART 1: https://libcal.library.ubc.ca/event/3898102

Tools and Workflows in QGIS

This intermediate-level workshop is focused on common tools and workflows in QGIS. By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to set up a QGIS project, find and load data onto a basemap, edit vector data from inside the GIS interface, perform joins and selections, and answer spatial questions using basic vector analysis. Familiarity with GIS is prerequisite for this workshop.

This workshop is taught by a graduate student in Geography with expertise in GIS and cartographic methods.

Things to do before arriving:

QGIS is a free and open source desktop geographic information system (GIS). It can be installed on Windows, MacOS, and Linux using the download instructions here: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html.

Before attending, please download the most recent QGIS Long Term Release and review the Research Commons’ Introduction to QGIS.

Location details:

Thursday, June 12, 2025
10 – 12 pm PST
ONLINE via Zoom

Register Here: https://libcal.library.ubc.ca/event/3898140