Features

The LSA TS Geographic Information System (GIS) consulting service provides assistance with a variety of mapping- and geospatial-related topics, such as:

• Making maps — Have data that you want to plot on a map to use in a class or include in a grant proposal or publication?

• Geospatial analysis — Need to identify spatial patterns and trends in your data?

• Georeferencing — Have a historic paper map or a hand-drawn sketch, which you want to use as a basemap, on which you want to plot your own data?

• Geocoding — Need to convert a spreadsheet with addresses into latitude-longitude so you can plot your data on a map?

• StoryMaps — Want to harness the power of maps to tell your story?

• Mobile GIS — Looking to integrate smartphones or tablets and GIS in your field courses or research?

• Workshops — Have a class or group interested in learning to use GIS in the context of your discipline? 

• GIS software — Require assistance with ESRI's ArcGIS platform or other geospatial software?

• Building GIS Apps — Interested in developing your own custom GIS web or native application?

Our GIS solutions typically leverage Esri's ArcGIS platform, which provides free access to a range of web, mobile, desktop, and enterprise applications. Any U-M faculty, staff, student, or sponsored affiliate is eligible to use Esri applications for university-related research or education. (University-related administrative use is also supported, though under different license terms; contact esrisupport@umich.edu for more information.) 

We also have experience with a variety of non-Esri applications for GIS work, such as Carto, Timeline JS, R, QGIS, GRASS GIS, GDAL, Adobe Illustrator, and Photoshop, AutoCAD, MATLAB, Agisoft Metashape, lastools, OpenStreetMap, Mapillary, Nearmap, and much more.

Who can use this service?

Any member of the LSA community can request assistance. Support for non-LSA projects is available on a per-request and per-availability basis.

Consulting services are generally free to members of the LSA community to answer questions, or to provide assistance with small projects (<20 hours of work.) We are also happy to provide GIS mentorship to students and staff hired directly by projects.

Larger projects (those needing >20 hours of consulting services), and those outside of LSA, will be subject to recharge. The current subsidized rate for the LSA TS GIS Consulting service is $13.00 per hour. If your funds are limited, then please contact lsats-gis@umich.edu to discuss potential alternatives. 

Requesting Service

Please contact lsats-gis@umich.edu to arrange an appointment with an LSA TS GIS Consultant to discuss your needs. We endeavor to respond to inquiries within two business days.