What is Media Mapper?

Media Mapper is a mapping tool that shows geospatial data on an interactive global map freely browsable with pins that mark a set of given coordinates. The user can browse the map to view pins that refer to a text in the database.

On its own, media mapper is an empty skeleton application that will function only with a given dataset.

It was initially built for “Aqueous Earth Catalog,” a map that shows media texts that feature bodies of water. Visit the site to see the mapper in use.

Media Mapper was designed by Ennuri Jo, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania with the generous support of CARGC, and created by Ben Tyler of Lost Creek Designs.

What are some maps that use Media Mapper?

Aqueous Earth Catalog is Media Mapper’s flagship map. Please check “maps” page to see more creations in the future.

In April of 2026, CARGC will host a half-day symposium where the Media Mapper creations will be presented to the public. Right now, we are looking for scholars and artists interested in creating their own maps using the Media Mapper: we will meet regularly to exchange ideas and build our maps, with the goal of presenting them in the Symposium. Please see this page for more information.

Can I make my own map?

Yes! This is an open source application, so anyone can clone the mapper and build their own interactive map with their own dataset. Please see Make Your Own Map page for a step-by-step guide.

If you are a scholar or artist interested in using the Media Mapper for a research project, I encourage you to consider joining our virtual working group and explore other mapping projects. 2-3 working group participants will be invited to present their work in a half-day Symposium at the University of Pennsylvania in April 2026. Please see this page for more information.

Will there be updates to Media Mapper?

Yes, there will be updates to the Media Mapper. The next iteration will include geo-fencing and an improved search function, for example. If you create your own map as part of the working group, you will have an opportunity to provide feedback and exchange ideas with our developer for future updates.

What is CARGC and how is it related to Media Mapper?

CARGC is the Center for Advanced Research in Global Communication, a research institute at the Annenberg School of Communication at the University of Pennsylvania. The Media Mapper project (the mapper application and the upcoming Symposium) is made possible with the generous support of CARGC. CARGC hosts postdoctoral, doctoral, undergraduate, and faculty fellows who collaborate in research groups, produce peer-reviewed scholarship, and organize talks, lectures, symposia, conferences, and summer institutes. Find out more here.

I have more questions.

Please email Ennuri Jo at ennuri.jo@asc.upenn.edu.