GIS Essentials with ArcGIS Pro In-Person
Are you interested in learning more about Geographic Information Systems (GIS)? Join us for a free, hands-on workshop designed for new learners and those looking to refresh their skills. This two-hour session from U of T’s Map and Data Library will introduce you to ArcGIS Pro, a powerful, industry-standard desktop GIS software, and guide you through the essentials of working with spatial data.
Topics we'll cover:
- Creating Projects: Organize your work, combining data sources, maps, and tools.
- Adding Data: Work with a variety of spatial and non-spatial datasets from various sources.
- Exploring and Managing Data: Use attribute tables, understand map projections, and perform geoprocessing.
- Symbology and Labeling: Design data-driven cartographic visualizations.
- Resources: How you can access ongoing support from the Map and Data Library, including help finding data and one-on-one consultations.
Along the way, we’ll discuss GIS fundamentals and workflows to help you understand how spatial data can support your research. There will be time for Q&A, so bring your questions!
- Audience: U of T students and researchers.
- Prerequisites: None - this workshop is beginner-friendly. If you already have experience with ArcGIS Pro, you may wish to jump ahead to our Spatial Analysis or Python sessions.
- Instructor: Cole White, GIS Analyst
- Location: Map and Data Library Computer Lab; 5th floor, Robarts Library
Don’t miss this opportunity to build valuable technical skills and take your first steps with ArcGIS Pro. We'll look forward to seeing you there!
MDL is committed to making our workshops accessible to everyone. If you'd like to discuss how we can best meet any accessibility needs you may have and help you get the most out of this workshop, please contact Cole White (cole.white@utoronto.ca).
- Date:
- Wednesday, September 16, 2026
- Time:
- 1:00pm - 3:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Map & Data Library
- Campus:
- St. George (Downtown) Campus
- Audience:
- Faculty Graduate Students Staff Undergraduate Students
- Categories:
- Digital Tools Maps & GIS Programming & Software Workshop
Cole is the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analyst at U of T's Map and Data Library, and a graduate of the Centre for Geographic Sciences. Cole was initially drawn to GIS for its capacity to blend computer science, creative problem solving, and aesthetic information design in a way that can bring new ideas to light. At MDL, Cole is happy to share their expertise with people across disciplines interested in learning about spatial analysis, web maps, data collection, coding, cartographic design, or any other ways a geographic perspective might invite a new dimension to their work.
Over their career, Cole has undertaken analyses in support of liberatory economic empowerment and public health work, used deep learning to analyze historical maps and support conservation planning, contributed to experimental countermapping art projects, and advised a diversity of researchers and new learners in pairing their work with befitting tools and techniques
