Robert McMaster

Robert McMaster is a Full Professor in the Department of Geography, Environment & Society at the University of Minnesota. He holds a B.A. from Syracuse University (1978), and M.A./Ph.D. from the University of Kansas (1983). His research focuses on geographic information science, cartographic generalization, environmental risk assessment, and GIS applications in environmental justice. He led the National Historical Geographic Information System (NHGIS) project, a $5M NSF-funded initiative to create historical census databases. McMaster has also contributed to risk assessment models in Santa Monica and Minneapolis, addressing environmental inequities through spatial methodologies.

Professional roles include Editor of Cartography and Geographic Information Systems (1990-96), President of the Cartography and Geographic Information Society (CaGIS), and leadership in UCGIS and the International Cartographic Association. His work bridges technical GIS innovations with societal applications, emphasizing public participation and policy-relevant spatial analysis.