(Cross-posted to MAGIRT, ACRL-DSS, & ACRL-STS; apologies for duplication. Please do share with other interested folks! -lkm)
Call for Proposals: Big Ten GIS Conference 2026
The Big Ten Academic Alliance Geospatial Information Network (BTAA-GIN) invites proposals for the 2026 Big Ten GIS Conference, a free virtual event on April 17, 2026. The conference brings together students, educators, researchers, librarians, professionals, and humanities scholars to share their work and explore new directions in geospatial research and practice.
Call for Proposals is Open!
We welcome presentations, lightning talks, and map gallery submissions from anyone using geospatial information in their work. You do not need to be affiliated with a Big Ten university to participate.
If you're developing a project, exploring new methods, or applying GIS in ways that illuminate environmental, social, cultural, or historical questions, we encourage you to submit.
Submissions may address any area of geospatial research or practice, including:
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Agriculture & natural resources
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning
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Urban planning & infrastructure
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GIS education & methods
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Health sciences, humanities, & social sciences
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Cultural heritage, digital humanities, and spatial storytelling
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IDEA and social/environmental justice
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UAVs & GIS in academia
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Applied GIS in campus infrastructure & municipal projects
A brief, clear description of your project, approach, and what you hope people will learn from it will help reviewers understand and evaluate your proposal.
Broaden the Reach of the Maps You Have Made!
BTAA-GIN hosts a map gallery on our website for each conference highlighting the work of students, faculty, staff, and other GIS professionals and cartographers. Past gallery submissions have included static maps, Esri Story Maps, and interactive maps. Explore prior Map Gallery submissions.
Submission Deadlines & Links
Submit a Presentation or Lightning Talk → Submission Form
Deadline: March 5, 2026, at 8 PM CST
Submit to the Map Gallery → Guidelines & Submission Form
Deadline: March 23, 2026, at 8 PM CST
Who Should Attend?
This conference is open to anyone interested in geospatial research or practice. The program features work from participants at all career stages and across a wide range of disciplines.
Mark Your Calendar!
Big Ten GIS Conference
Virtual Conference
April 17, 2026
Accessibility Note: Closed captions will be provided throughout the event.
Registration Opens Soon!
We can't wait to welcome you to the Big Ten GIS Conference-start preparing your proposals and stay tuned for updates!
Help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with colleagues, students, and others engaged in geospatial work across the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities.
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Laura McElfresh (She/Her/Hers)
MAGIRT Secretary 2025/27
OLAC Immediate Past President 2025/26
Cartographic Metadata Librarian
University of Minnesota
mcelf008@umn.edu------------------------------