On this page
SFU Library provides services and support to researchers using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and maps across all disciplines
For assistance with GIS, geospatial data, and maps contact: Sarah (Tong) Zhang, , at tza68@sfu.ca.
For data and statistics assistance and information, please see Data and statistics information resources.
Curious about what GIS is? See an Intro to GIS by National Geographic Society.
Thematic guides
Critical GIS and participatory mapping
Using mapping/GIS for community-based research, participatory projects, and equity/diversity/social justice
If you don't identify yourself as a "GIS researcher", but you are interested in using GIS/mapping for community-based research, participatory projects, and equity/diversity topics, this guide is a good resource to get you started.
How-to
How to map Canadian Census data
Why and how to map Canadian Census data, using a GIS program or SimplyAnalytics Canada.
How to make images(or old maps) useful for mapping: Georeferencing
Learn how to use QGIS to georeference a historical map, and connect your images with their spatial locations on a reference dataset.
Geocoding: turning addresses into geographic features for mapping
Learn how to convert location descriptions, such as addresses, into geographic coordinates that can be displayed on a map.
Mapping tools
Communicating your research with ArcGIS StoryMaps
Learn how to use ArcGIS StoryMaps, a web-based storytelling tool, to communicate your research.
Introducing ArcGIS Image for ArcGIS Online: working with remote sensing data in the cloud
Learn how to use this a web-based platform to access and work with remote sensing data.
Collecting location-enabled field data with ArcGIS Field Maps New
Learn how to use this application to collect data in the field.
Spatial data resources
ICI Society's Cadastral data and ParcelMap data New
SFU Library, as a member of BC’s Integrated Cadastral Information Society (ICI Society), has access to its unique holdings of datasets.This guide will focus on helping you understand the cadastral map data and ParcelMap data it provides.
News & awards
Blog posts
Blog posts on how GIS intersects with knowledge mobilization and citizen science, published on SFU Library's Radical Access blog.
How Community Science opens a new way of knowledge creation: the BC Parks iNaturalist Project
More Canadian research data findable by map-based searching: Explore Geodisy in FRDR
Map image: Devastating 2003 heat wave in the Netherlands mapped using MODIS satellite data, by Mehdi Aminipouri, PhD Candidate, Department of Geography, SFU