We are a research group within the School of City & Regional Planning and School of Interactive Computing at Georgia Tech. We are working on a new field of study: interpersonal relationships and social networks in geographic space.
Keywords: geographic information systems / science (GIS), social networks, urban planning, geovisualization.

Research Themes

SPATIAL SOCIAL NETWORK (SSN) ANALYSIS
We analyze small social networks within a GIS environment. We develop metrics to show how relationships are hindered or helped by the built environment, and how powerful individuals benefit from the surrounding environment. (see Foundational Paper, Syrian Refugee Project, Facebook Project, and Mafia Project) The Social Network Mapping Nexus (SNOMAN) project has resources for Spatial Social Network Analysis.

URBAN PLANNING FOR RELATIONSHIPS AND JUSTICE IN THE CITY
We help urban planners plan better cities by finding the amenities (parks, bars, Tinder, kayaking?) that best support personal relationships. (See Yelp Project and Romance in-State College Paper, No Dates at the HippoHop). Check out the Savannah Social project (2020-2024), where we worked with the City of Savannah and Prof. Lin.

GEOVISUALIZATION + INFORMATION VISUALIZATION
We create interactive visualizations and tools for exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) (see Data and Interactive Page).

Retired topic: NETWORK ANALYSIS 
We measure how ‘connected’ places are and how this correlates with culture, diversity, and flows in a city. We created a new measure of social distance: the strength of social flows between places. Social distance is driven by connecting over political/administrative, natural, and infrastructural boundaries, through institutions (universities, military bases, etc.), social ties, and shared culture. (see Foundational Paper, COVID-19 Regions PrePrint, Big Brothers Big Sisters Project, and NCAA Athletes Project).

What’s Up?

The SNOMAN project is coming to a close in 2026. We have a few papers in review related to that project, and we’ll be at SUNBELT 2026 to present our work.

The SCIMaP Team continues to put together information about cancelled health grants and losses in indirect costs. Check out the project here.

Map showing total monetary losses due to cancelled health-related grants at universities, hospitals and other facilities.

Our Legislative Congruence map was launched in 2026. Check back soon for a prototype and a link to our technical report (or email clio). This map allows us to compare the outcome of bill votes in Congress to different characteristics of congressional units.

Factxis is our new tool for helping spreadsheet users and demographic data users explore different places (or entities) that have a lot of different features (variables). We’re testing it and developing it in spring 2026.