Spatial Analysis Lab

The Spatial Analysis Lab (the SAL) is a mapping lab dedicated to thoughtful and creative spatial data collection, analysis, and visualization. We strive to promote spatial literacy and spatial justice across the curriculum.

Our approach centers 1) using GIS, drones, and other technologies in ways that are ethical, usable to a diverse range of people, and appropriate. We also center 2) collaboration with communities at and beyond Smith College to enhance curricular and co-curricular opportunities. Through this, we seek to 3) create accessible, understandable, and compelling maps and datasets.

The scope of our work includes teaching, research, and making, as well as managing two classroom lab spaces.

The SAL is available to create high-quality, creative, and accessible maps; aerial imagery and videos; and data for print and digital use.

Want to learn more about the SAL and its resources? Check out our Science Center site or sign up for our mailing list.

Research

We’re always up to something good at the SAL. Check out some ways we engage with the campus and the community through research.

Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students on research projects involving spatial data or maps

Support and lead environmental mapping and sustainability mapping projects as part of CEEDS, including spatial research at MacLeish Field Station

Conduct our own individual and collaborative research projects to further spatial literacy and spatial justice on campus

Teaching

Whether you’re taking one of our core SAL courses or your academic interests lie elsewhere, there’s a good chance you’ll encounter the SAL on campus. We’re passionate about contributing to the curriculum of the college, as we collect, organize, and make available spatial data at the scale of campus, Northampton, Massachusetts, and beyond, for class and project use.

The SAL collaborates with classes across campus through activities and guest lectures. We host co-curricular workshops for students, faculty, and staff, including Teach Yourself GIS: Resource and Data Walkthrough, Mapping Political Data with Flourish, Georeferencing Historic Maps, Drone Selfies, and Getting Started with Spatial Storytelling. 

Core SAL Courses

GEO/ENV 150: Mapping Our World
(offered every fall)

LSS 220: GIS for Landscape and Urban Studies
(offered every spring starting in 2026)

IDP 109: Aerial Imagery and Cinematography
(offered every fall)

IDP 153: Introduction to GIS
(one credit interterm class, offered occasionally)

Kala'i Ellis brings Patty the drone in for a landing near Paradise Pond

Photo by Jessica Scranton

Spaces

The SAL manages two computer lab spaces: Sabin-Reed 104 and Neilson 012D. They are available for classes that involve mapping and, when possible, classes that need a space with our resources.

Both spaces showcase student work and professional cartography on the walls. Sabin-Reed 104 also contains map cases with historic and contemporary maps, a lending library, and our Museum of Drones. The Museum of Drones displays drones that the SAL used to fly but has phased out of active use.

In both spaces, we also provide and, with CATS, manage the following technology:

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS), including ArcGIS Pro and QGIS.
  • Drones for high-resolution aerial imagery and video collection.
  • Global Positioning Systems (GPS)/Global Navigation and Satellite Systems (GNSS) for gathering high-resolution locational information.
  • Narrative and participatory mapping programs, including StoryMaps, Survey123, Felt, and a light table.
  • Cartographic design programs such as Adobe Creative Suite, Flourish, and Blender
  • A swell form machine for printing tactile graphics.
  • Shared drives (J and Q) and ArcGIS Online for data and project sharing.

Opportunities

Faculty, staff, and students can start a conversation about a fall semester or future class or project via our online form.

Students: we are currently hiring paid SAL associates to work with us this fall and spring! Learn more and apply.

Contact the Spatial Analysis Lab

Sabin-Reed 104
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063