Nancy J Obermeyer

Nancy J Obermeyer is a Professor of Geography in the Earth & Environmental Systems department within the College of Arts & Sciences at Indiana State University. With a distinguished career spanning several decades, she has established herself as a leading expert in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial data privacy, and public participation GIS. Her academic journey began with a B.A. in Political Science from Indiana University-Bloomington in 1977, followed by an M.P.A. in Urban Affairs (1979), an M.A. in Geography (1984), and culminating with a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Chicago (1987).

Dr. Obermeyer's scholarly work demonstrates a clear evolution from technical GIS applications toward critical examination of ethical and societal implications. Her early research focused on urban transportation and regional equity, while her more recent work centers on GIS ethics, data privacy concerns in public transit systems, and the professionalization of GIS as a discipline. She has made significant contributions to the development of ethical frameworks for geospatial professionals, including authoring the 'Code of Ethics for Certified Geospatial Professionals' for the GIS&T Body of Knowledge.

Her publications reveal consistent engagement with professional organizations including the Association of American Geographers, Urban and Regional Information Systems Association, and the GIS Certification Institute. Dr. Obermeyer has presented extensively on topics ranging from 'Volunteered GeoSlavery' to 'Ethics for GIS Professionals,' demonstrating her leadership in addressing emerging ethical challenges in geospatial technology.

• Charter Board Member Appreciation Award, Geographic Information Certification Institute (GISCI)
• Horwood Critique Prize, Urban & Regional Information Systems Association (URISA)
• Fulbright-Hayes Group Project Abroad

Dr. Obermeyer has secured multiple research grants throughout her career, including the Byrne Criminal Justice Federal Planning Grant, funding from the Center for Spatially Integrated Social Sciences, and equipment grants for GIS laboratory development. Her university service includes membership on the Diversity Faculty Advisory Committee since 2019 and previous service on the Faculty Affairs Committee. Community engagement is central to her work, particularly through her long-standing involvement with the Bloomington Public Transit Corporation where she served as Chairperson from 2016-2021.