Experimental Mapping and Critical Cartography
Target audience
The course is aimed at PhD candidates in the history and theory of architecture, urbanism, urban design, landscape, and human geography. Students will develop and refine qualitative experimental maps and other visual representations of their research using analogue and digital tool. Prior GIS experience is helpful but not required. The course emphasizes critical interpretation, visualization, and communication of research findings and the cross interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data—not GIS training.
Organizing and scientific committee
Anne Kockelkorn (UGent)
Rebekka Hirschberg (PhD Candidate, UGent)
Prof. Dr. Ruben Verstraeten (UGent)
Abstract
This workshop for PhD candidates in architecture, urbanism and urban planning introduces experimental mapping as a qualitative research method that extends critical and radical cartography to embodied, memory- and community-centered practices. Through theoretical framing, guided field exercises and collective drawing/visualization sessions, participants will learn how to spatialize their qualitative research insights, how to critically use GIS tools, and how to reveal hidden spatial dynamics in the process. The workshop emphasizes participatory approaches and applications for social and spatial justice.
The workshop will be taught by the renowned cartographers Philippe Rekaczewicz (visionscarto) and Camila Narbaitz Sarsur (Orangotango).
Objectives
Participants will
- understand key concerns of critical cartography (through the entire workshop process, literature made available by
tutors, and discussion on theoretical framing during the 1st lecture day) - develop a critical mapping project through guided feedback sessions that helps them to sharpen both their data
interpretation and research questions, - reflect on the ethical and political implications of data visualization,
- undertake guided field exercises to visually articulate embodied socio-spatial findings,
- learn to relate qualitative findings to quantitative GIS-based data,
- gain skills to critically evaluate the role GIS in contemporary research and planning practice,
- build networks with peers and international experts.
Dates and venue
| online kick-off | 23 October 2026 | |
| Workshops | 05 + 06 November 2026 | Bekaertzaal (Faculty library engineering and architecture) |
| Finissage | 23 November 2026 |
Programme
| Date | Time | Schedule |
| 23-Oct-26 | Online kick-off | |
| 15:00 | Course introduction | |
| 15:15 | Introduction round | |
| 15:30 | Students present first thoughts on projects, part I | |
| 16:15 | Break | |
| 16:25 | Students present first thoughts on projects, part II | |
| 17:10 | Feedback and closing remarks | |
| 05-Nov-26 | Day 1 | |
| 15:00 |
Workshop |
|
| 17:00 | Break | |
| 18:00 | Public lectures and discussion Lecture 1: Philippe Rekaczewicz Lecture 2: Camila Narbaitz Sarsur |
|
| 06-Nov-26 | Day 2 | |
| 9:00 | Introduction by Organizers | |
| 9:15 | Presentation and discussion of individual work Student 1 | |
| 10:15 | Student 2 | |
| 11:15 | Student 3 | |
| 12:15 | Lunch break | |
| 13:45 | Student 4 | |
| 14:45 | Student 5 | |
| 15:45 | Student 6 | |
| 16:45 | Break | |
| 17:00 | Joint concluding session | |
| 23-Nov-26 | Online finissage | |
| 15:00 | Introduction | |
| 15:10 | Final presentations part I | |
| 15:40 | Discussion projects part I | |
| 15:55 | Break | |
| 16:05 | Final presentations part II | |
| 16:35 | Discussion projects part II | |
| 16:50 | Feedback and closing remarks |
Registration
- Follow this link for the registration and waiting list.
- Cancellation of your registration can only be performed by sending an email to doctoralschools@ugent.be.
-
The no show policy applies.
Registration fee
Free of charge for Doctoral School members.
Number of participants
The workshop is limited to 5–8 participants. The public lectures on Day 1 are open to up to 100 attendees
Language
English
Training method
lectures and roundtable (4 h), presentation of mapping projects by doctoral researchers (4 h), feedback and discussions
(7 h), practical exercises (self-study, 8 h)
Evaluation method
Active participation in discussions and workshop (mandatory attendance), elaboration of individual mapping project over
the course of 6 weeks, contribution to collective reflection sessions.
After successful participation, the Doctoral School Office will add this course to your curriculum of the Doctoral Training Programme in Oasis. Please note that this can take up to one to two months after completion of the course.