Sterling Quinn

Sterling Quinn is an Associate Professor and GIS Program Director in the Department of Geography at Central Washington University's College of the Sciences. He teaches courses on GIS programming, analysis, Latin America, and world regional geography. His research focuses on critical and narrative cartography, the politics of online maps, crowdsourced mapping, and free open source GIS, with a regional emphasis on Latin America.

Education:

• PhD in Geography, Penn State University (2016)
• MGIS, Penn State University (2009)
• BS in GIS, Brigham Young University (2005)

Dr. Quinn's research explores how maps reflect and shape social realities. His work examines the social forces influencing online maps (e.g., Google Maps, OpenStreetMap) and uses historical diaries to create narrative maps visualizing journeys, social networks, and emotions. Drawing on feminist geography, he investigates identity formation and the representation of marginalized voices. He is also active in the Latino and Latin American Studies program, with research spanning Argentina, Brazil, and local themes in the Northwestern US.

Analysis of Dr. Quinn's recent publications (2017-2024) reveals a cohesive research trajectory centered on critical cartography. Key themes include the study of empty spaces in maps, geopolitical influences on digital cartography, and inclusivity of Latino businesses in online maps. His work increasingly integrates feminist perspectives and community engagement.

Dr. Quinn serves on thesis committees for the Cultural and Environmental Resource Management master’s program and welcomes graduate students applying GIS to resource management. Prior to academia, he worked as a GIS software product engineer at Esri, specializing in web mapping technologies.

He is an active participant in the OpenStreetMap community and the Latino and Latin American Studies program at CWU, often collaborating with local communities in the Northwestern US and Latin America.