The MAPVisLab is a new research centre that will explore how geovisualization can facilitate knowledge mobilization across cultures. The will examine the use of participatory mapping, geographic information systems (GIS), software development, and examines the possible roles of new technologies (Drones, Augmented and Virtual Reality, 3D Printing, and other 3D media, etc) in visualization.

Our lab is funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI, https://www.innovation.ca/). CFI is a national granting agency that will provide funds for the purchase of new and replacement equipment and for the renovation and upgrading of new and existing space. CFI’s mandate is to increase the capacity of Canadian Universities and other not-for-profit institutions to carry out world class scientific research and technology development.  To implement its mandate, the CFI promotes innovation by investing in research infrastructure, jointly with institutions and their funding partners.

All of our purchases are to be used in a research context, as per our CFI contract. As an example, one of the current long term research projects involves community engagement sessions across all 25 settlements in Nunavut – and the research team would use all of the technologies in our documentation and facilitation process. The technologies themselves would also be a source for visualization research, allowing us to broaden the current uses of the technologies and find new applications for them. As this is a new lab, we have no existing infrastructure and are looking to create relationships with suppliers.