PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] – During the GIS Institute Presentations on January 18, Institute participants applied their newly acquired Geographic Information Systems skills to a variety of fields including historical geography, health, economic development, climate, and the social sciences. The presentations were the culmination of the Institute, which provides training on visualization, management, and analysis of geographic data and the opportunity to integrate spatial data and concepts into ongoing research.

PSTC Trainee Aditi Singh was among the 20 participants in the two-week GIS Institute offered by the PSTC’s Spatial Structures in the Social Sciences (S4). Singh, a predoctoral student in economics, presented “Analyzing the effect of the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY) on health outcomes” during a session on GIS and health. 

Singh examined the effectiveness of the IGMSY pilot program, which aims to improve the health and nutrition status of pregnant and lactating women by providing partial compensation for the wage loss experienced during pregnancy. Singh compared districts with and without the program and utilized spatial analysis to “determine which areas needed the scheme the most.”

S4’s associate director, Kevin Mwenda, assistant professor of Population Studies (research), directed the Institute for the first time since assuming his position in the fall. "The Winter 2019 GIS Institute saw quite a diverse cohort of participants from various disciplines and departments across campus,” he said. “They showed impressive dedication and true grit in learning how to apply GIS and spatial analysis towards their individual research projects, all within a fast-paced and intensive training environment."

The GIS Institute has been running since 2005. It is offered twice a year and is open to the all Brown faculty, staff, and graduate students. The next Institute will take place following the Spring semester.

Photo: Kevin Mwenda presents Aditi Singh with her certificate of completion for the GIS Institute.