Twenty-two first- and second-year graduate students from the School of Planning and Public Affairs recently presented their semester-long research projects at the Spring Student Symposium, held at the Iowa City Public Library. Their work, developed in the Applied GIS for Planning & Policy Making and Data Science for Urban Analytics courses, was featured in engaging poster presentations.

The symposium was a collaborative effort led by Assistant Professors Bo Kapatsila and Sarah Hofmeyer, along with School alumna Hannah Neel, now Associate Transportation Planner at the Metropolitan Planning Organization of Johnson County. Together, they created a platform for students to share data-driven insights on urban planning challenges and policy innovations. 

More than 30 attendees filled the event space, including emeritus professors, representatives from the Johnson County Food Policy Council, and staff from Iowa City’s Planning and Public Works departments. Family and friends of the students also joined, contributing to a lively and supportive environment. The atmosphere was one of curiosity and collaboration, as guests explored students’ research findings and analytical tools.