Feminist GIS

Geographic information system (GIS) has largely been understood by geographers in binary terms positivist/quantitative vs. critical/qualitative methods and spatial analysis theory vs. critical/social theory. The role of GIS in quantitative analysis is well established. However, feminist geography has begun to question the effectiveness of using GIS for feminist research. The assumption that GIS is not suitable for feminist research is as follows: If GIS is a product of the quantitative revolution, inherently positivist and empiricist , then it is not suitable for feminist research, because it cannot be used to understand difference and subjectivity .

Feminist researchers recognize both the limitations of GIS and the value of visual representation. Using GIS methods in feminist research has the potential for revealing the gender biases in conventional concepts and quantitative methods in geography . Ontology research and feminist GIS have the potential to move the emphasis in GIS from representing fixed spatial entities like roads and bridges to offering multiple vantage points depending on epistemology and facilitating exploratory research between multiple variables that are difficult to incorporate into statistical formulae .

Feminists have taken the lead in reclaiming GIS methods and blurring the boundary between GIS and social theory . For example: Kwan used GIS to show time space relationships for women as they moved AbOUT doing every day tasks. As feminist continue to address the deficiencies of GIS, and use GIS in ways which are consistent with feminist ideology, those feminists are re-defining GIS as a research method.