Dr. James Cheshire

Biography

James Cheshire is a leading geographer who has made significant contributions to the social sciences, particularly in spatial data analysis and visualization. He is a Professor of Geographic Information and Cartography at University College London (UCL) and the inaugural Director of the UCL Social Data Institute (UCL SODA). Under his leadership, UCL SODA oversees a world-leading program in data-intensive teaching for undergraduates in the social sciences, which includes a thriving internship scheme. James's extensive interdisciplinary research portfolio covers topics such as behavioral changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, cartographic representation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and innovative visualizations of population datasets. His work has supported £15 million in research funding and helped create widely used data mapping portals in education policy. James has authored books that have achieved global success and been translated into tens of languages, earning widespread critical acclaim. In 2024, he was conferred a Fellowship by the Academy of Social Sciences and is a recipient of major awards from organizations like the Royal Geographical Society and the American Association of Geographers.

Research Interests

Experience