Meghan Kelly

Meghan Kelly is an assistant professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment at Syracuse University, where she works at the intersection of cartography, feminist theory, and digital storytelling. Previously a doctoral student and instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she has also taught at Durham University. Her academic career bridges rigorous scholarly research with professional mapmaking for major publications including the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Rolling Stone Magazine, and Science Magazine.

Kelly's research centers on the role of power in spatial data, map design, and mapping processes, with particular focus on how alternative perspectives can expand conventional cartographic tools. Her recent work examines satellite data usage through a Black feminist lens, while earlier projects investigated Syrian refugee border crossings using feminist methodologies. She approaches cartography as both science and critical practice, consistently challenging traditional representations of space and power.

Her publication history shows a clear trajectory from doctoral research on Syrian refugee experiences toward leadership in feminist geographical practice, with increasing emphasis on collaborative, community-engaged mapping approaches. Kelly's work demonstrates how cartography can serve as a tool for social justice when informed by critical theory and diverse perspectives.

• University-wide Teaching Fellow Award for classroom innovation (2018)
• Runner up in Map Book and Atlas Category (2015 WLIA)
• Student Dynamic Map Award Winner (Group) NACIS
• Runner-Up, David Woodward Award CaGIS
• Outstanding Thesis Award (2016)

Kelly has developed innovative teaching materials across the cartography curriculum, from introductory GIS courses to advanced web cartography. Her teaching philosophy integrates feminist pedagogies with critical approaches to mapping, emphasizing both technical skills and ethical considerations in spatial representation. She has created comprehensive course materials for Geography 170 (Our Digital Globe), Geography 370 (Introduction to Cartography), and Geography 572 (Graphic Design in Cartography), with particular focus on bridging theory and practice in map design.

Her collaborative projects, including the Eritrean Human Trafficking Project and Collectively Mapping Borders initiative, demonstrate her commitment to participatory approaches that center marginalized voices in cartographic production. These projects often involve community engagement and alternative visualization techniques to represent complex spatial experiences that conventional maps might overlook.