{"id":11,"date":"2022-11-02T18:17:51","date_gmt":"2022-11-02T18:17:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/?page_id=11"},"modified":"2025-12-08T19:10:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T03:10:57","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--video-with-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--video-with-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Our mission\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>At the Spatial Sciences Institute, we turn geospatial data into solutions for a healthy, prosperous and safe world. By harnessing the power of geospatial sciences and technologies, we foster collaboration, build consensus and support actions that tackle intractable global challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Through our innovative research and academic programs, we educate and launch today\u2019s and tomorrow\u2019s spatial problem solvers to deploy spatiotemporal perspectives and insights across every possible discipline and industry.<\/p>\n<p>We collaborate with faculty colleagues throughout the University of Southern California and with other prestigious institutions around the world on funded research that provides decision makers and citizens with strategies towards a more sustainable life on Planet Earth.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>WELCOME<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s in our DNA to make a difference with spatial thinking and digital geography.<\/p>\n<p>As front-line researchers and educators, we are dedicated to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>deploying the power of people, place and time;<\/li>\n<li>presenting information as maps;<\/li>\n<li>promoting environmental sustainability and human well-being; and<\/li>\n<li>fostering actionable research and informed decision-making.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Our partners are a cross-cutting array of researchers, businesses, non-profits, NGOs and other entities from a wide range of disciplines and industries that analyze, model and visualize location-based data.Our undergraduate, masters and doctoral students and alumni are change agents, empowered with capabilities to help address global challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Our internationally-recognized faculty are contributors to the rapidly-evolving body of geospatial knowledge.<\/p>\n<p>Join with us as we plumb the depths of data to bring out the compelling stories in search of solutions, answers and decisions for a more sustainable and healthy planet.<\/p>\n<p>With kind regards,<br \/>\nJohn P. Wilson<br \/>\n<small>Founding Director, Spatial Sciences Institute<\/small>; <small>Co-Director, Measurement and Modeling Core, Southern California Health Sciences Research Center; Professor, Department of Sociology, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences; School of Architecture; Departments of Civil &amp; Environmental Engineering and Computer Science, Viterbi School of Engineering; and Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine of USC; Editor, <em>Transactions in GIS<\/em><\/small><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  \n\n      <div class=\"video-container\">\n              <div class=\"image-container\">\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2024\/06\/PHD-PHP-population-health-place-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2024\/06\/PHD-PHP-population-health-place-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2024\/06\/PHD-PHP-population-health-place-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2024\/06\/PHD-PHP-population-health-place-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  alt=\"PhD Public Health\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uMmEX1aX-pc&#038;t=3s\" data-lity aria-label=\"Play video in lightbox\" class=\"play-video\">\n              <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 75 75\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 75 75\" xml:space=\"preserve\">\n                <rect fill=\"#FFCC00\" width=\"75\" height=\"75\"\/>\n                <polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" points=\"44.4,37.5 34.2,43.9 34.2,31.1 \"\/>\n              <\/svg>\n            <\/a>\n                  <\/div>\n      \n    <\/div>\n\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n            \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--statistics \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--statistics\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          SSI in numbers\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"stats-container\">\n                          <div class=\"stat\">\n                                    <h3>848<\/h3>\n                        \n                                    <span><p>Student awards and prizes AY 2010-2024<\/p>\n<\/span>\n                \n            <\/div>\n                                  <div class=\"stat\">\n                                    <h3>$16m<\/h3>\n                        \n                                    <span><p>SSI&#8217;s total FY 23 revenue (instruction, research and gifts)<\/p>\n<\/span>\n                \n            <\/div>\n                                  <div class=\"stat\">\n                                    <h3>400<\/h3>\n                        \n                                    <span><p>M.S. in Geographic Information Science and Technology degrees awarded AY 2010-2024<\/p>\n<\/span>\n                \n            <\/div>\n                                  <div class=\"stat\">\n                                    <h3>326<\/h3>\n                        \n                                    <span><p>USC Nu Theta Chapter Gamma Theta Upsilon honors society inducted members AY 2018-2024<\/p>\n<\/span>\n                \n            <\/div>\n                                  <div class=\"stat\">\n                                    <h3>44<\/h3>\n                        \n                                    <span><p>Affiliated faculty with the Spatial Sciences Institute<\/p>\n<\/span>\n                \n            <\/div>\n                                  <div class=\"stat\">\n                                    <h3>5,574<\/h3>\n                        \n                                    <span><p>Undergraduates taught in SSI general education courses AY 2010-2024<\/p>\n<\/span>\n                \n            <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--rich-text \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--rich-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      \n<div class=\"f--field f--wysiwyg\">\n\n    \n  <p><a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/organizations-and-partners\/gamma-theta-upsilon\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-7724 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2025\/12\/gtu-honors-chapter-2025.png\" alt=\"GTU honors chapter\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n                        \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--modal-image-gallery \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--modal-image-gallery\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  <div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n\n      <div class=\"text-container\">\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Life in the Spatial Sciences Institute\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Whether it&#8217;s in the classroom, in the field or at a conference, our students have boundless opportunities to explore, grow and achieve more than they could have ever imagined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"image-container\">\n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Kate-Lester-globe-exercise-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Kate-Lester-globe-exercise-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Kate-Lester-globe-exercise-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Kate-Lester-globe-exercise-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n\n              <a href=\"#gallery-1975254984\" class=\"gallery-trigger\">\n          <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000000\" d=\"M28,7v7.9h-2.6l0-3.4l-4.3,4.3c-0.3,0.3-0.6,0.4-0.9,0.4s-0.7-0.1-0.9-0.4c-0.5-0.5-0.5-1.3,0-1.9l4.3-4.3h-3.4V7H28z M7,28v-7.9h2.6v3.4l4.3-4.3c0.5-0.5,1.3-0.5,1.9,0c0.5,0.5,0.5,1.3,0,1.9l-4.3,4.3h3.4V28H7z\"\/><\/svg>\n          See us in action\n        <\/a>\n          <\/div>\n    \n      <div id=\"gallery-1975254984\" class=\"gallery-container lity-hide\">\n\n      <div class=\"swiper images\">\n        <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n                                    <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    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83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Kevin-Mercy-Jong-Su-Kim-2019-GEOINTegration-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Kevin-Mercy-Jong-Su-Kim-2019-GEOINTegration-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Kevin-Mercy-Jong-Su-Kim-2019-GEOINTegration-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Kevin-Mercy-Jong-Su-Kim-2019-GEOINTegration-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Mia-Poynor-Laura-Loyola-laughing-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Mia-Poynor-Laura-Loyola-laughing-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Mia-Poynor-Laura-Loyola-laughing-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Mia-Poynor-Laura-Loyola-laughing-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  role=\"none\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img\n                            data-src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Phil-Carter-Yi-Qi-768x432.jpg\"\n          data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Phil-Carter-Yi-Qi-1920x1080.jpg 1920w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Phil-Carter-Yi-Qi-1280x720.jpg 1280w,https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/102\/2023\/10\/Phil-Carter-Yi-Qi-768x432.jpg 768w\"          data-sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"          class=\"lazyload\"\n        \n                  alt=\"Phil Carter and Yi Qi\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n      <div class=\"swiper captions\">\n        <div class=\"controls-container\">\n          <button class=\"button-prev\" aria-label=\"Previous Image\">\n            <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" 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  <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                  <div class=\"slide-caption\">\n                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>With SSI Lecturer Kate Lester, trigonometry becomes tangible on a globe in SSCI 135: Maps in the Digital World.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                  <div class=\"slide-caption\">\n                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Our undergrads and SSI leaders like to bake! So an afternoon tea is in order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                  <div class=\"slide-caption\">\n                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Geodesign majors Samantha Levi (center) and Jenna Gray (right) test an SSI-developed app to collect street tree information with USC Arborist Michael Wallich (left).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                  <div class=\"slide-caption\">\n                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Masters students Kevin Mercy (left) and Jong Su Kim (right) presented at the USGIF 2019 GEOINTegration Summit in the Washington, DC area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                  <div class=\"slide-caption\">\n                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence minor Mia Poyner and SSI Assistant Professor (Teaching) Laura Loyola celebrate Mia&#8217;s USC graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n                                                <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                  <div class=\"slide-caption\">\n                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Phil Carter, NV5 Geospatial\/GEO1 Director of Aerial Acquisition, shows SSI Associate Professor (Teaching) Yi Qi the remote sensing capabilities from the NV5 Geospatial helicopter based in its Hawthorne, CA facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n                              <\/div>\n\n      <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n  <\/div>\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n          \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--link-list \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--link-list\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Areas of focus\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Learn more about how we are making a visible difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"links-container\">\n\n                        \n        \n          \n            <div class=\"column\">\n                <ul>\n                                                                  <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/research\/creating-sustainable-solutions\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Creating sustainable solutions\"  \n>\n    Creating sustainable solutions \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/research\/promoting-human-well-being\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Promoting human well-being\"  \n>\n    Promoting human well-being \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/research\/fostering-stable-and-safe-communities\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Fostering stable and safe communities\"  \n>\n    Fostering stable and safe communities \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                          <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n\n          \n          \n        \n          \n            <div class=\"column\">\n                <ul>\n                                                                  <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/research\/designing-resilient-environments\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Designing resilient environments\"  \n>\n    Designing resilient environments \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/research\/finding-answers-in-big-data\/\n    aria-label=\"Read more about Finding answers in big data\"  \n>\n    Finding answers in big data \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                          <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n\n          \n          \n        \n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":125,"featured_media":2050,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-11","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>About USC Spatial Sciences - Spatial Sciences Institute<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Spatial sciences is the ability to understand the connections between place and space, which is what USC SSI is all about.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/spatial\/about\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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