Dr. Bill Rankin

Biography

Bill Rankin is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at Yale University, where he also serves as Chair of the Program in History of Science and Medicine. His research primarily examines the intersections of science, technology, and geography, focusing on modern geographic environmental sciences, mapping, spatial history, and digital humanities. Rankin's notable work includes his critically acclaimed book, 'After the Map: Cartography, Navigation, and the Transformation of Territory in the Twentieth Century,' published by the University of Chicago Press in 2016, which explores the historical and political dimensions of mapping practices and the shift from traditional cartography to contemporary GPS technologies. His upcoming book, 'Radical Cartography: Changing Maps Change World,' set to release in November 2025, will delve into the ethical stakes involved in data visualization. Rankin has received several prestigious awards for his contributions to the fields of history and technology, including the Sidney Edelstein Prize and the Samuel Ronnie Heyman Prize in Humanities. He is actively involved in teaching and has published numerous articles, reviews, and essays that address the complexities of spatial knowledge and its implications for society, environment, and politics.

Research Interests