November 16, 2025, marks a milestone for Dalhousie University’s Geographic Information Systems Centre (GIS Centre); 20 years of innovation, collaboration, and impact. Established on November 16, 2005, the Centre was launched on International GIS Day, during Geography Awareness Week, making it the perfect moment to introduce a first-of-its-kind GIS hub in a Canadian university library.
From day one, the GIS Centre stood out. It managed a campus-wide Esri software license, ensuring every student, faculty member, and lab had access to powerful GIS tools. At a time when open data was still a dream, the Centre became the clearinghouse for spatial data, supporting research and teaching across disciplines.
From Learning Commons to the 5th Floor
The Centre was officially opened by then-President Tom Traves in the newly created Learning Commons on the first floor of the Killam Library. As demand grew, the Centre relocated twice before settling on the 5th floor of Killam Library, where it continues to thrive.
Today, the Centre is powered by three dedicated staff, Jennifer Strang, Thomas Zuberbuehler, and James Boxall, who work with students, faculty, and staff at Dalhousie, while also collaborating globally with universities, NGOs, governments, and research organizations.
Global Impact Through Projects
Over the past two decades, the GIS Centre has contributed to projects that span continents and disciplines, including:
- Sea Level Rise & GIS Training – Science University of Hue, Vietnam
- Western Basin Aquifer & Climate Change – Collaborations with institutions in Canada, USA, and Mexico, supported by World Bank and USDA
- Halifax Harbour Sea Level Planning – Post-Hurricane Juan projections to 2100 for Halifax Council
- Halifax Explosion 100th Documentary – Mapping for CBC
- Arsenic & Bladder Cancer Research – Atlantic Path project
- International Oceans Institute Summer Training
And countless more, covering nearly every field of study and corner of the globe.
By the Numbers
- 4,840 days of operation (excluding hurricanes and snowstorms)
- 31 student employees
- 14 Esri Canada GIS Scholarships awarded
- 13,199 photographs from space archived from Commander Chris Hadfield
- 40,000+ datasets stored, created, or delivered – over 50 terabytes of spatial data
Beyond Data: Building Knowledge
The Centre’s role extends far beyond data management. Staff have supported Dalhousie through online tutorials, in-class labs, guest lectures, course development, and participation in thesis committees. They’ve published articles and book chapters, presented at conferences, hosted GIS and mapping events, and even brought GIS education to elementary schools.
While the Centre doesn’t claim sole credit, its contributions have helped Dalhousie rank 7th in Canada for geography (QS) despite not having a geography department or major.
As we celebrate 20 years of spatial innovation, we’re reminded that this is just the beginning. The next 20 years promise even greater opportunities to advance GIS education, research, and global collaboration.
Here’s to 20 spatial years, and many more to come.
Celebrate GIS Day and 20 years of the GIS Centre at Dal on November 21!