About the Authors

Michael Shin is associate professor of geography at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He has over fifteen years of experience in developing and leading courses—both in-person and online—in geographic information systems (GIS) and geospatial technologies. Michael’s teaching materials draw from his research interests in political geography, spatial analysis, and the social impacts of geospatial technology. He has also applied his expertise in geospatial analytics to various projects with McKinsey & Company, as well as with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Michael earned his MS and PhD in geography, and his BA in International Affairs, from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Dr. Jonathan E. Campbell is a GIS analyst and biologist based in Carlsbad, CA. Formerly an adjunct professor of GIS, cartography, and physical geography courses at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Santa Monica College, Jonathan has extensive experience collecting, mapping, and analyzing geospatial data on projects throughout the United States. He has over 15 years of experience in the application of GIS and biogeographic services in conjunction with the implementation of environmental policies and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. Jonathan holds a PhD in geography from UCLA, an MS in plant biology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and a BS in environmental biology from Taylor University. 

Nick Burkhart is the academic coordinator for GIS at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Nick specializes in Web-based mapping technology, spatial analysis, and geographic data visualization methods, and he teaches related courses in GIS and cartography. His research also includes the study and development of pedagogy and instructional design methods for online teaching of GIS courses. He is an active GIS software developer and a member of the open source GIS community. Nick earned his CPhil and MA in geography from UCLA, and he also holds a BS in geography from Arizona State University.