Welcome to the Humanistic GIS Laboratory (HGIS Lab)! Our mission is to explore the concept of Digital Earth as a meaningful habitat for humanity. Based at the University of Washington, the HGIS Lab brings together a dedicated team of scholars and student researchers committed to advancing geospatial technologies through a humanistic lens. Our work focuses on three core areas: developing innovative methods that prioritize human experience in geospatial analysis, critically examining the social implications of maps and geovisualization, and leveraging geonarratives to shed light on geographic phenomena—particularly those affecting vulnerable or marginalized communities.
Over the years, the HGIS Lab has received generous support from leading institutions including the National Science Foundation, National Geographic, Google, Samsung, and Clean Water Services. These partnerships have enabled us to undertake a wide range of projects that bridge cutting-edge research with real-world impact. Highlighted below are some of our most notable initiatives, each contributing to a deeper understanding of how digital geographies intersect with human lives.
HGIS Lab is located at Smith Hall 406A and is currently directed by Dr. Bo Zhao. He is an Associate Professor at UW’s Department of Geography and is affiliated with China Studies Program, The eScience Institute, the Interdisciplinary Program in Urban Design and Planning, The Center for An Informed Public (CIP), and the Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology (CSDE). For details about this lab, please contact the lab manager via hgis@uw.edu.