GIS Librarian with extensive experience in managing GIS resources, supporting grant-funded projects, developing web applications, and mentoring students. Proven track record of supporting successful, award-winning research projects. Adept in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and Python with a strong commitment to advancing GIS in academic libraries, archives, and the spatial humanities.

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Professional Experience (selected)

GIS Data Librarian

Geospatial Research Facility / Van Pelt and Opie Library, Michigan Technological University — Houghton, Michigan Feb 2022–Present

Time split 60% Geospatial Research Facility / 40% Van Pelt and Opie Library

• Managed and curated the institution's GIS data and resources, providing access and support to faculty, students, and researchers.
• Authored and maintained detailed geospatial metadata for GIS datasets in compliance with national and international standards, ensuring data integrity and discoverability.
• Developed and maintained web applications to facilitate GIS data access, discovery, and visualization.
• Offered GIS support for faculty and student research projects in Social and Environmental Sciences, Geological Sciences, and Humanities including reference consultations, data management, workshops, and application development.
• Mentored and guided students through GIS-related research projects, fostering their development and contributing to their academic success.
• Archived GIS research project data on the University's digital repository for long-term preservation.
• Created Python scripts and used AI to automate data processing and analysis tasks.

Map and GIS Intern (Library Fieldwork Experience)

Map and Geospatial Hub, Hayden Library, Arizona State University — Tempe, Arizona Feb 2021–Dec 2021

• Developed interactive web map index applications which serve as discovery tools for historical map collections.
• Led the development of a 3D interactive map library project designed for collections management and discovery of historical maps, atlases, and library assets.

GIS Intern (Library Fieldwork Experience)

American Geographical Society Library (AGSL), University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee — Milwaukee, Wisconsin Sep 2020–Dec 2020

• Wrote FGDC and ISO metadata for the library's geospatial datasets.
• Developed custom web mapping applications for the discovery of historical nautical charts and Sanborn Fire insurance plans.
• Created GIS tutorials on downloading and mapping historical demographic Census data.

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Education

Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)

University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee — Milwaukee, Wisconsin Graduated December 2021

Master of Science in GIS & Cartography

University of Wisconsin–Madison — Madison, Wisconsin Graduated May 2018

Bachelor of Science in Geomatics

Northern Michigan University — Marquette, Michigan Graduated December 2014

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Skills

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Publications

• Trepal, Dan, Robert Cowling, Krysta Ryzewski, and Don Lafreniere. 2024. “Digital Deep Maps for Community Archaeology and Heritage: A Case Study in Hamtramck, MI” Advances in Archaeological Practice. (Manuscript in preparation)
• Cowling, R., Lizzadro-McPherson, D.J., Verissimo, L., and Vye, E.C. (2023). Keweenaw Geoheritage Geoatlas. geoatlas.mtu.edu
• Cowling, R. (2023). “Time Traveler's Companion: Discovering the Keweenaw's Heritage through a Mobile App.” WAML Information Bulletin 54(3). Read article
• Cowling, R. (2021). “AGSL Nautical Chart Explorer.” WAML Information Bulletin 52(3). Read article

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Presentations and Workshops

• Robert Cowling. “Building a Deep Mapping Mobile Application: Mobile technologies for deep mapping and beyond.” NEH Community Deep Mapping Institute (2025).
• James Juip, Robert Cowling, Sarah Fayen Scarlett, Don Lafreniere. “A New Methodological Approach to Integrating Historical Photography into Historical Spatial Data Infrastructures.” Social Science History Association Annual Meeting (2025).
• Sarah Fayen Scarlett, James Juip, Robert L. Cowling, Don Lafreniere. “Mobile Digital Storytelling Impacts on Post-Industrial Landscape Perceptions.” Social Science History Association Annual Meeting (2025).
• Matthew Toro, Robert Cowling, Eric Friesenhahn, Jill Sherwood. “Indoor Space Modeling with 3D Web GIS for Library Asset Management, Discovery, Visualization, and More.” Western Association of Map Libraries Conference (2021).
• Matthew Toro, Robert Cowling, Eric Friesenhahn, Jill Sherwood. “Indoor Space Modeling with 3D Web GIS for Library Asset Management, Discovery, Visualization, and More.” AGIC Arizona Geographic Information Council Education and Training Symposium (2021).

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Research Projects Supported (selected)

NEH Community Deep Mapping Institute 2025

Advancing Transdisciplinary and Public-Facing Scholarship in the Spatial Humanities

A two-week residential institute followed by a series of virtual sessions on geospatial technologies and digital deep mapping for publicly engaged scholarship. Supported web application development & workshops.

Menominee Iron Range: Mining & Miners

Interactive story map telling the story of miners on the Menominee Iron Range. The project involved georeferenced historical maps, migration data, and historical photographs. Mentored graduate student and provided extensive GIS training.

Keweenaw Geoheritage Geoatlas

An accessible geoheritage database exploring the geographic, cultural, and industrial heritage of the western Upper Peninsula, covering Keweenaw, Houghton, and Baraga Counties. Supported data management & web application development.

Hamtramck Spatial Archaeology Project

Works through the issues of representing and rectifying uncertainties in historical datasets by adapting existing digital data infrastructure methods to accommodate archaeological information. Supported web application development & data management.

Keweenaw Time Traveler

An online interactive historical atlas changing how we learn about, share, and research the history and heritage of Michigan's Copper Country. Supported mobile application development & data management.

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Grants and Funding

• Geospatial Cultural Resource Management Support — The Mannick & Smith Group, Inc. Co-PI · $58,132 · 2026–2027
• AI-Driven Deep Mapping of Community and Human-Environment Interactions across Time and Space — Wayne State University Co-PI · $26,073 · 2026
• Owosso Time Traveler — City of Owosso Co-PI · $6,859 · 2025–2026
• Geospatial Sound Model Update for the National Park Service — U.S. Dept. of the Interior / National Park Service (NPS) Co-PI · $172,636 · 2024–2026

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Honors and Awards

2025 Michigan State History Award

Issued by the Historical Society of Michigan · September 2025

Received in the Websites category for the Copper Country Historical Images (CCHI) Database with its new spatial image and map catalogs.

2024 Governor's Award for Historic Preservation

Issued by the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) · May 2024

Recognized for the Keweenaw Time Traveler, an online historical atlas allowing users to discover the Keweenaw's past through historical maps, census records, photographs, and stories.

2023 EST Best Emerging Technology Application Award

Issued by the American Library Association (ALA) · March 2023

Earned for the ASU Map and Geospatial Hub 3D Explorer, an interactive 3D virtual map library built using GIS technologies.

ASU President's Award for Innovation

Issued by Arizona State University · January 2023

Received for the Map and Geospatial Hub 3D Explorer, an interactive 3D virtual map library built using GIS technologies.

Special Achievement in GIS Award

Issued by Esri · June 2022

Awarded for the Map and Geospatial Hub 3D Explorer, an interactive 3D virtual map library built using GIS technologies.