Anthony Robinson

Anthony Robinson is a Professor of Geography at University Park, Penn State, where he serves as Director of Online Geospatial Education Programs and Co-Director of the GeoGraphics Lab. He is also the E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Professor in Geography and holds leadership roles in professional organizations, including Vice Chair of the ICA Commission on Geovisualization and Chair of the AAG Cartography & Mapping Specialty Group.

Robinson's research focuses on designing and evaluating geovisualization tools to enhance the utility and usability of geographic information. His work spans domains such as epidemiology, crisis management, national security, and higher education, with a particular emphasis on visualizing absence in big spatial data and analyzing viral maps in social media. He has pioneered geovisual analytics systems using eye-tracking studies and map symbol standardization for emergency management.

He teaches the popular MOOC 'Maps and the Geospatial Revolution' on Coursera, which has enrolled over 150,000 students globally since 2013. His publications address user-centered design, collaborative geospatial frameworks, and educational technology innovations. Robinson has led initiatives like the Inaugural Community Mapping Day and is a key figure in advancing geospatial education and research infrastructure at Penn State.

• Scientific Awards: E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Professorship in Geography
• Leadership Roles: Director of Online Geospatial Education, Co-Director of GeoGraphics Lab, Past President of NACIS, Vice Chair of ICA Commission
• Research Themes: Cartographic design, geospatial cognition, social media geospatial analysis, and crisis informatics