John Wilson

About John Wilson

Experienced professor at the University of Southern California with a demonstrated history of advancing the geographic information sciences. Founding director of the USC Spatial Sciences Institute and the Wilson Map Lab.I use geographic information science, spatial analysis and computer models to study human and environmental systems, with the goal of improving our understanding of the factors linking people, their environments and human health. GIS can help us all find common ground, and I believe that scholars across academic fields can benefit from spatial thinking. With that in mind, I am continually looking for ways to bring together students, faculty and experts in order to promote innovation and collaboration. At the University of Southern California, I am founding director of the Spatial Sciences Institute, founding director of the Wilson Map Lab and professor of spatial sciences and sociology. I also developed USC’s online GIS graduate programs, which have flourished into a full suite of master’s degrees and graduate certificates. You can learn more at spatial.usc.edu and gis.usc.edu.A lifelong goal of mine has been to help new scholars grow into leaders. To that end, I am proud to have worked with graduate students to publish more than 135 book chapters, journal articles and conference papers over the past three decades. I also support scholarly work as editor-in-chief of Transactions in GIS, a permanent repository for articles describing fundamental scientific advances and best practices.SpecialtiesGISGeomorphometryDigital terrain modelingSpatial analysisEnvironmental modelingGeodesignMappingPublic health

Experience

1. Editor-in-chief, Transactions in Gis

   Wiley

   Jan 1996 — Present

   I am the founder and current editor of Transactions in GIS, which has grown to six issues a year and passed 25 volumes. This international, peer-reviewed journal brings together the latest advances and best practices in the spatial sciences.

Education

• University of Canterbury

  Bachelor of Science, Honors, 1st Class, Geography

• University of Canterbury

  Master of Science (MSc), Geography

• University of Toronto

  Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Geography

• University of Canterbury

  Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Law