USC Dornsife Spatial Sciences Institute

USC Dornsife Spatial Sciences Institute USC SSI uses the power of connecting place, space, and time to help address global challenges.

At USC, we strive to make Los Angeles a greener place.Here are just a few ways University of Southern California's newly...
09/03/2026

At USC, we strive to make Los Angeles a greener place.

Here are just a few ways University of Southern California's newly-developed ArcGIS deep learning model will make it easier to invest in climate resilience:

🌳 Targeted tree planting
⛱️ Improved shade estimation
🗺️ Cost-effective canopy mapping

Want to learn more about this exciting technology? 👇
https://bit.ly/3TYEi4f

📣 Research Opportunity 📣 Want to join an interdisciplinary research effort with Dr. Bita Minaravesh (USC Dornsife Colleg...
09/02/2026

📣 Research Opportunity 📣

Want to join an interdisciplinary research effort with Dr. Bita Minaravesh (USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences SSI) & Dr. Kate Nelischer (USC Sol Price School of Public Policy)?

THE POSITION 💼

The USC Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study is seeking Innovation Scholars for the 2026-2027 academic year. These creative and dedicated students will work with faculty, experts, artists, and designers in a team-based Collaboratory at the Ahmanson Lab.
💸 $1500 stipend
🔬 24/7 access to technology + resources at the Lab
‼️ Applications DUE Friday, September 4, 2026

THE RESEARCH 🔎

This collaboratory will use interactive visualizations to explore potential for spatial justice by addressing the historical displacement of communities to build Dodger Stadium.
🗣️ The team will consult community interviewees to propose a redesigned use of the Dodger Stadium parking lot that could contribute to spatial reparations.
🤝 This work will highlight how economic and social equity can be achieved through innovative land-use planning and mixed-use development.

MORE DETAILS ℹ️

📧 Contact Dr. Minaravesh at [email protected]
🔗 https://polymathic.usc.edu/ahmanson-lab/reimagining-shadow-dodger-stadium

Congratulations to MS GIST student Ralph Barsi for successfully defending his thesis in July! 👏💡 About Ralph's ThesisInt...
09/01/2026

Congratulations to MS GIST student Ralph Barsi for successfully defending his thesis in July! 👏

💡 About Ralph's Thesis

Intrigued by Carlos Moreno's philosophy that Quality of Life will improve if a person lives within a 15-minute walk of their daily needs, Ralph set out to determine the potential impact of the "15-minute city" on Los Angelenos. "I built this project workflow on my own (with input from faculty of course). I actually produced results that contradicted my own preconceived notions of the 15-minute city, so I feel like I taught myself something."

📣 Ralph's USC Experience

"In this program, I am most proud of completing my thesis. I am also proud of learning all of these GIS concepts completely from scratch in less than two years. I feel comfortable working in GIS at a professional level, and I had never opened any GIS software when I began this program."

⏩ Up Next

Ralph is currently job-hunting and eager to commence his career as a GIS professional. "I want to do something that allows me to conduct hands-on geospatial analysis, whether it's in surveying, planning, or general GIS work."

🎓 Interested in the MS in GIST program at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences?

Learn more: 🔗 https://gis.usc.edu/programs/masters-geographic-information-science-and-technology/

Los Angeles has some of the nation's strictest internal street tree-spacing standards. The kicker?These guidelines haven...
08/28/2026

Los Angeles has some of the nation's strictest internal street tree-spacing standards. The kicker?

These guidelines haven't been updated in decades.

In his bid for expanded tree canopy throughout Los Angeles, City Councilmember John Lee cites research from USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences SSI and University of Southern California Public Exchange.

🌴 Follow the story on Patch: https://patch.com/california/los-angeles/decades-old-la-tree-rules-may-be-blocking-shade-where-its-needed-most

An-Min Wu was promoted to Associate Professor (Teaching) at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences SSI! 👏Dr....
08/26/2026

An-Min Wu was promoted to Associate Professor (Teaching) at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences SSI! 👏

Dr. Wu teaches undergraduates, masters students, and Ph.D. students in our Population, Health and Place Ph.D. program. Her research includes spatial analysis of pollution exposure.

💡 More details: https://dornsife.usc.edu/profile/an-min-wu/

08/24/2026

Welcome to USC's newest graduate GIS students.

You are joining a community of spatial thinkers, data explorers, problem solvers, and innovators who see the world a little differently. Over the coming months, you'll build new skills, tackle complex challenges, and discover just how powerful location-based data can be.

We're excited to see where your journey takes you.

Welcome back to campus, Trojans! 🍂🍎📚 📍 University of Southern California
08/24/2026

Welcome back to campus, Trojans! 🍂🍎📚

📍 University of Southern California

🏆 Another win for Juan Sebastian Cortes!Congratulations to Juan Sebastian Cortes, a student in USC SSI's Master of Scien...
08/21/2026

🏆 Another win for Juan Sebastian Cortes!

Congratulations to Juan Sebastian Cortes, a student in USC SSI's Master of Science in Geographic Information Science and Technology (M.S. GIST) program, for winning the Esri User Conference (UC) Map Gallery Award in the Interactive Web Map category.

His award-winning project, Colombia Amphibian Explorer, transforms complex geographic data into an engaging interactive experience that supports amphibian conservation across Colombia. The project showcases the power of geospatial technology, cartographic design, and storytelling to inspire action and address real-world environmental challenges.

Congratulations, Juan Sebastian, on this outstanding achievement! 👏🌎🗺️

Let's hear it for Laura Messier, current PhD student in USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences SSI's Populat...
08/18/2026

Let's hear it for Laura Messier, current PhD student in USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences SSI's Population, Health & Place program!

Her proposal "Public Space Investment as Built Environment Reparations?" just earned her the Haynes Lindley Doctoral Fellowship. 👏

ℹ️ https://haynesfoundation.org/

08/14/2026

Love maps? Thinking about college applications? Want to deepen your understanding of place and space?

USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences's cutting-edge B.S. in Geodesign may be your perfect match. 🗺️😍🌴

Details
🔗 https://dornsife.usc.edu/spatial/undergraduate/b-s-in-geodesign/

Contact
Dr. Diana Ter-Ghazaryan:
📞 (213) 821-1190
📧 [email protected]

USC Admission

Address

3616 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, CA
90089

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+12137405910

Website

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