Finding Spatial Data for Mapping (GIS)

2021 GIS Competition Winners!

"It is with great pleasure that the Boston College Libraries and Research Services announce the winners of the 12th Annual Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Mapping Contest at Boston College. A special congratulations to both of our winners, who created excellent projects during another academic semester of uncertainty and change. The winning projects can be viewed in our GIS Competition Gallery.

• First place award of a $100 Amazon Gift Card to: Abolfazl Sotoudeh Sherbaf, Sociology, for “BLM Protests 2020: Police Brutality, Socio-Economics, & Pandemic” 
• Second place award of a $50 Amazon Gift Card to: Alexandra Baker, International Studies and French, for “Migration: A Journey Across the World”

Awards were based on map quality, use of GIS as a research tool and originality.  Special consideration was given to topics exploring diversity and inclusion."

Important Dates

• Submissions due: April 23

• Judging period: week of April 26

• Announcing the winner: May 10

BC GIS Contest Judging Criteria

• Quality of the map
• Originality
• Appropriate use of GIS as a research tool at BC within the last year
• Coursework or research undertaken at BC
• Topics from a wide range of disciplines are accepted, e.g., Geosciences, Biology, Social, Sciences, Education, History, Economics and etc.
• Topics exploring diversity and inclusions will receive special consideration

Poster Map

Traditional GIS work takes the form of a poster presentation which includes both maps and images and a larger argument or discussion of a topic. Check out the link below for examples of past winners. 

To submit:
1. Create your poster in Microsoft PowerPoint, include:

• ​​​Title of your research project and your name
• Department and co-authors if appropriate
• Map or maps of your research using GIS
• Abstract describing your research and how GIS was used with results, discussion, and conclusions
• Source of data and how it was used in the project
• In the upper right corner: BC GIS Contest, 2021
• Include a one-inch margin around the edges

2. Convert your PowerPoint slide to PDF

• Poster size: 36 inch(w) * 28 inch(h)
• Suggested file name: bcgiscontest_lastname_firstname_2021.pdf

3. Submit your project via the submission form.

Note: Resubmitted work must be clearly marked revised
Poster examples from previous winners >>

Tips and tricks to enhance your GIS poster >>

Digital Maps/StoryMaps

Digital Maps include story maps that may be created through sites like Knightlab StoryMap JS or ArcGIS Online. These maps must be shared with the judging committee through their public URL. 

1. Your digital map should include:

• ​​​Title of your research project and your name
• Department and co-authors if appropriate
• Abstract describing your research and how GIS was used with results, discussion, and conclusions
• Source of data and how it was used in the project
• Include "BC GIS Contest, 2021" in your map.

2. Submit the link to your project via the submission form.

Note: Please make sure that your digital map is publicly accessible, and check your digital map in Chrome before submitting.

SUBMIT NOW

Please contact Matthew Naglak, Digital Scholarship Librarian (naglak@bc.edu) if you have questions.

• First place award: $100 Amazon Gift Card
• Second place award: $50 Amazon Gift Card