Hello,
Do you ever find yourself wondering about the where behind your research data?
In August 2026, I'm running four GIS courses specifically designed for social science researchers, in partnership with InStats. These aren't generic GIS courses – they're built around the questions you actually need to answer and the data you actually work with, with an opportunity to ask me specifically about your work.
*Introduction to QGIS & Spatial Data*
You'll learn to:
- Create your first maps from research data
- Understand when and why spatial analysis adds value
- Build confidence with QGIS (the leading open-source GIS platform)
- Turn location-based data into compelling visualizations
*Advanced GIS: Spatial Analysis*
You'll master:
- Advanced spatial analysis techniques
- Robust research approaches to spatial data
- Research-grade modelling and hypothesis testing
- Integration with your existing analytical workflow
Why These Courses Work Differently
✓ Practical outcomes: You'll leave with skills you can immediately apply to your own projects
✓ Supportive environment: Small cohorts, plenty of Q&A time, no assumption that you're already technical
✓ Open source tools: Learn QGIS – free, powerful, and used by researchers worldwide
*Introduction to Spatial Data and R as a GIS*
You'll learn to:
- Create your first maps from research data
- Understand when and why spatial analysis adds value
- Use spatial libraries such as `sf` to manage spatial data objects
- Basic data cleaning and transformation techniques for spatial & non-spatial datasets
*Advanced R for Spatial Analysis and Statistics*
You'll cover:
- Advanced spatial analysis techniques
- Research-grade modelling and hypothesis testing
- Introduction to the fundamentals of Spatial Statistics
- Hands-on practice with GeoDa and R for spatial data analysis
Why These Courses Work Differently
✓ Practical outcomes: You'll leave with skills you can immediately apply to your own projects
✓ Supportive environment: Small cohorts, plenty of Q&A time, no assumption that you're already technical
✓ Open source tools: Learn R & RStudio – free, powerful, and used by researchers worldwide
“I love having a workbook to go through, it’s how I learn best. Also, perfect balance between presentation and practical work.”
Harriet Ann Patrick, PhD Researcher, University of Sheffield
Not sure?
Check out the FREE 1 hour seminar I have done with InStats on "What is GIS?" What is GIS? 2.0 (Free Seminar) with Nick Bearman | Instats
"This short, but free seminar was quite good to get a general overview of GIS. It was a good introduction to see how GIS could be useful to your research and what courses and resources might be useful to acquire GIS-related skills that you can use for your own projects."
Lukas S (University of Bologna)
More details and links at Training Courses – Nick Bearman
Any questions about whether the course is for you? Please email me and I'm happy to help you choose the right starting point.
Looking forward to helping you in your GIS journey.
Best wishes,
Nick.
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Nick Bearman
+44 (0) 7717745715
nick@nickbearman.com | nick.bearman@ucl.ac.uk
Please let me know if I can make any adjustments related to disability or neurodivergence to improve how we interact.
Due to my own life/work balance, you may get emails from me outside of normal working hours. Please do not feel any pressure to respond outside of your own working pattern.