Geographic Information in Information Science Research

Panel at the ASIS&T Annual Meeting with Zack Lischer-Katz, James A. Hodges, Bradley Wade Bishop, Diana Marsh, and Ia (ᎦᏚᏩᎩ/Gaduwagi) Bull.

Abstract

Considering the role of geographical information in the contemporary information landscape and the extent of cross-disciplinary interest in the topic, there is peculiarly little research specifically on the topic in the context of information science research. Despite the seeming dearth, there is relevant research to the topic across the information science field, however, fragmented by its varying perspectives, methods, and contexts. This panel brings together recent and on-going research on geographic information and inquiries into the state-of-the-art of research on the topic to highlight how information science research on geographic information complements perspectives from other disciplines, including geographic information science, geography and engineering, and Indigenous studies. The panel examines: how diverse forms and formats of geographic information are pertinent to various types of information practices, how different approaches to organizing and managing geographic information can foreground various key aspects of spatiality, how geographic information is studied empirically in information science, and what novel insights can be drawn to support practitioners and communities.