What is CaGIS?
The Cartography and Geographic Information Society supports research, education, and practice to improve the understanding, creation, analysis, and use of maps and geographic information to support effective decision-making and improve the quality of life. The society serves as a forum for the exchange of original concepts, techniques, approaches, and experiences by those who design, implement, and use cartography, geographical information systems, and related geospatial technologies.
Five Things to Know About CaGIS
The Cartography and Geographic Information Society …
- … is THE international network of developers, researchers and educators in the field of Cartography and GIScience.
- … publishes research at the forefront of developments in Cartography and GIScience in the Society’s CaGIS Journal.
- … hosts the CaGIS Conference (formerly known as AutoCarto), the biennial conference that brings together the international community to present current research developments in Cartography and GIScience.
- … is the United States representative to the International Cartographic Association (ICA), and participates in the biennial ICA conference that is hosted by different Countries around the world.
- … sponsors an Annual Map Competition that recognizes excellence in map design with recognition awards from National Geographic, ESRI, and Avenza.
For a full history of CaGIS, please see this recent report from the ICA News.
Mission Statement
The Cartography and Geographic Information Society supports research, education and practice to improve the understanding, creation, analysis, and use of maps and geographic information to support effective decision-making and improve the quality of life.
CaGIS members are scholars, practitioners, and policy makers who rely on and care about the quality of mapping and geographic information. They include researchers, professionals, and students in Cartography and GIScience.
The major goals of CaGIS are to:
- Represent mapping and geographic information activities in the U.S. to the International Cartographic Association (ICA).
- Bridge the activities of academia, government, and private industry to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and data between and within these sectors.
- Promote research and educational practices in Cartography and GIScience.
- Collaborate with governments and organizations at the national, state, regional, and local level that use mapping and GIScience.
- Promote the scholarship and professional career development of students in mapping and GIScience.
- Promote best professional practices, standards, and tools to create, use, and visualize geographic information.
Statement on Diversity, Empathy, and Inclusion (DEI)
CaGIS is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion and empathy throughout the cartographic and GIScience research, education, and professional communities. We strive to maintain an environment in which all are welcome to collaborate, contribute and support the advancement of GIScience. We strongly reject all forms of racism, sexism, ageism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, queerphobia, religious intolerance, ableism and any actions that infringe on the dignity of any individual.* Recognizing the importance and power of maps and GIS and acknowledging that every map involves choices that reflect particular perspectives and biases, we take responsibility as cartographers and GIScientists to ethically address the challenges of our time, respect the viewpoints of others and create an open community that is inviting and inclusive for all.
*This sentence was taken with permission from the DEI statement developed by the North American Cartographic Information Society. The CaGIS statement was also informed by policies and statements from other organizations in the geospatial community.
CaGIS Code of Conduct
The following Code of Conduct applies for all CaGIS conferences (both virtual and in person), related social events, and other Society activities. The purpose of the Code is to enhance every participant’s experience and increase the value of events while respecting the people and places where we meet.
First and foremost, each person is responsible for their own actions. Expectations are that participants will:
- Be kind and considerate
- Respect each person and exhibit common courtesy rules for personal interaction
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Be mindful of others around you to ensure a great experience for your fellow participants
- Refrain from displaying any demeaning, harassing, aggressive, or intimidating materials or behavior. Use welcoming and inclusive language and be respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences.
- Respect property
- Do not damage private or communal property
- Obey the rules and regulations
- Report inappropriate behavior
Inappropriate behavior related to harassment, aggression, and intimidation of event participants, venue staff, or comm unity members will not be tolerated. Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, group status, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, unwelcome photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
Presenters and exhibitors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material, or otherwise create a sexualized environment. However, within the context of academic, artistic, and professional practices of cartography, critical examination of beliefs and viewpoints does not, by itself, constitute hostile conduct or harassment. Similarly, use of sexual imagery or language in the context of a professional discussion or presentation might not constitute hostile conduct or harassment.
If a participant engages in behavior outside of the expectations outlined above, event organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund.
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact the session chair, email the CaGIS Executive Director, cagisexecdir@gmail.com, or reach out to a member of the conference staff in person
by going to the registration desk.
The CaGIS President, Executive Director (cagisexecdir@gmail.com), or the conference chairperson(s) will communicate immediately with anyone who reports an issue and will work quickly to address the problem.