Assistant Professor, the State University of New York at Buffalo New York, USA

Big data, the geoweb, the influence of maps and mapping on society, and volunteered geographical information (VDI) are some of the subjects taught and researched by Dr. Monica Stephens.

A popular educator and guest speaker, Monica is also a geo-blogger, tackling map and mapping-related subjects—serious subjects, but also sometimes with a humorous side.

An example of Monica’s research into the societal impacts of geospatially referenced big data is her influential paper (published in Geo Journal, 2013), “Gender and the GeoWeb: divisions in the production of user-generated cartographic information.” Monica earned her undergraduate degree in geography and international studies at Clark University (Massachusetts), then master’s and doctorate in geography at the University of Arizona.

This profile is one of 40 in xyHt’s 2018 Outlook issue.  Click on the image below to read more.