Spatial Innovation in Geography, Environment, and Society

UMN from the air

Welcome to the Spatial Innovation Lab (SIL) of the Department of Geography, Environment, and Society at University of Minnesota. We are home to dozens of researchers who focus on developing new data, methods, and theories in spatial science.

Interest in spatial thinking and approaches is fast increasing. Billions of people use spatial technologies such as Google Maps, GPS, and satellite remote sensing to discover the world. Spatial scientists recognize the spatiotemporal nature of people, places, and processes through concepts such as location, space, scale, and distance.

The Department of Geography, Environment, and Society is just one of many homes to spatial science on campus - check out USpatial for other departments and resources. Learn more about the people and projects that have made the department a longstanding contributor to the Spatial University.