Seeking applicants for paid Co-Designer position
We are seeking a Co-Designer with a visual or print disability or extensive related experience to creatively explore ways to make geologic maps more accessible. This position is paid and is part of a research grant at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Applicants do not need to be affiliated with UW-Madison.
The deadline to apply is February 14, 2025.
We are looking for part-time (up to 10 hours per week) involvement for one, two, or up to three semesters during 2025 through early 2026. This project’s grant funding will be available until the summer of 2026.
Please direct any questions to Caroline Rose at caroline.rose@wisc.edu.
Description:
We are seeking someone with an interest in geography, geoscience, earth science, geology, geomorphology, environmental science, natural resources, or related disciplines who also has a visual and/or print disability that renders a traditionally-published geologic map difficult or impossible to use.
In line with the concept “nothing about us without us,” we are looking to work with a person or people with disabilities to collaborate in designing and prototyping alternative ways to access map information.
Applicants do not need any prior experience in map design.
Geologic maps are complex visualizations that often violate accessibility guidelines such as the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines). These maps may rely on color alone to convey meaning, they may have small, curved, low-contrast, or otherwise difficult-to-read text, and they are not easily summarized in verbal descriptions or tabular formats. Geologic map information is fundamental to the study of earth science, so we are exploring more-than-visual ways of communicating the geography of geology.
In 2025, the Wisconsin Geological Surveys plans to publish a new map of the Quaternary Geology, or the surface deposits, of the state of Wisconsin. This map will be a foundational resource for earth science education. We hope to explore and prototype some accessibility-focused presentations of this geographic information.
Responsibilities:
This work is hybrid; work may be conducted remotely for some tasks and will be in-person in the general area of southern Wisconsin for some meetings.
A note about in-person meetings: we would like to collaborate in-person to interact with physical objects, such as tactile diagrams. The location of such meetings can be flexible. We can provide some stipend for travel expenses and can find a meeting location that is convenient for all research team members.
The specific tasks we envision for this role include but are not limited to:
- Discussing the limitations of traditionally-published maps
- Finding, reading, and summarizing related literature
- Brainstorming various ways to communicate geographic information
- Testing prototype maps, possibly including embossed or cut-out tactile versions
- Attending virtual meetings of the research team
- Working independently in between meetings
- Occasionally attending in-person meetings of the research team
Pay:
We are able to offer compensation through an internal Innovation Grant from the Division of Extension.
This position will be paid on an hourly basis. Hourly rate will be not less than $16; specific rate depends on experience and availability, up to the limit of our grant budget.
Eligibility:
Applicants must pass a background check and be eligible to work in the United States.
Applicants must arrange for their own internet access to be able to participate in meetings and collaborate on work.
How to Apply:
Please write a paragraph stating your interest in participating in this project, and email it to our lead researcher Caroline Rose at caroline.rose@wisc.edu, who will follow up with you about your interest and experience. The deadline to apply is Feb 14, 2025.
Who We Are:
Caroline Rose is a cartographer and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Specialist for the Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey (WGNHS), where she designs maps for geologists. She has held this academic staff position for about nine years, and she is constantly learning and being curious about better mapping.
Caroline was awarded an Innovation Grant from the Division of Extension for a two-year project to explore map accessibility “beyond alt text.” (Read the grant application here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zr2tK3xg2YIKWsgPRLVZIS-up82oq8lufKGM8q5gD6s/edit?usp=sharing) She has pulled together a small research team of enthusiastic collaborators, including accessibility researcher Frank Elavsky at Carnegie Mellon University (www.frank.computer/) and fellow cartographer, geologic map enthusiast, and accessibility advocate Travis White from the North American Cartographic Information Society. Caroline volunteers with the tactile graphics team at ABLE, or Audio and Braille Literacy Enhancement, at the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library. This team is also coordinating with the UW-Madison Center for User Experience (CUE), and we are now looking to grow our network within map accessibility work.