The Polis Center

The Polis Center A research unit of the IU Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering at Indianapolis.

We work with professional and scholarly communities, especially through application of digital technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and other geospatial tools. Our areas of emphasis include Geoinformatics, Community Informatics, Health Geoinformatics, Spatial Humanities, Community and Culture and Education & Training.

GIS skills can help turn data into actionable insights.Join the Indiana Geospatial Training Academy (IN-GTA) for ArcGIS ...
09/02/2026

GIS skills can help turn data into actionable insights.
Join the Indiana Geospatial Training Academy (IN-GTA) for ArcGIS Fundamentals, a two-day hands-on training designed to build confidence with ArcGIS Pro and core GIS concepts.
Oct. 15-16, 2026
Valparaiso University
Perfect for beginners, students, and professionals looking to expand their technical skill set.
Register today: https://polis.indianapolis.iu.edu/collaborations/IN-GTA.html
Endorsed by the Indiana Geographic Information Council.

What does financial stability look like for Indiana households?Being above the federal poverty level does not always mea...
08/26/2026

What does financial stability look like for Indiana households?

Being above the federal poverty level does not always mean a household can afford the essentials. About 1 in 4 Indiana households earn above the poverty level but still struggle to cover basic needs, including housing, food, healthcare, transportation, and childcare.

For working families, rising costs can make it increasingly difficult to make ends meet, even with a steady income.

Explore the data to learn why looking beyond traditional poverty measures provides a clearer picture of financial stability across Indiana.

Read the report: https://savi.org/savi-talks-community-conditions-shaping-household-financial-stability-in-indiana/

Indiana United Ways

Healthy aging goes beyond physical health.August is National Wellness Month, making it a great time to reflect on the fa...
08/24/2026

Healthy aging goes beyond physical health.
August is National Wellness Month, making it a great time to reflect on the factors that help people stay healthy, active, and connected as they age.
The State of Aging in Central Indiana Health Outcomes chapter explores key indicators of health and wellness among older adults and provides data to help inform community decision-making.
We are grateful to the Central Indiana Senior Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, for its leadership and partnership in this important work.
Read the report: https://centralindiana.stateofaging.org/report-data/health-outcomes/

Thank you for joining The Polis Center, SAVI, Indianapolis Public Library, and WFYI Indianapolis for our recent Data & D...
08/21/2026

Thank you for joining The Polis Center, SAVI, Indianapolis Public Library, and WFYI Indianapolis for our recent Data & Drafts event on bicycle use trends in Marion County. The slide deck and event recap are now available online, and we'll be sharing the full report soon.
https://savi.org/bike-use-trends-in-marion-county/

Affordability influences where people live, work, and raise their families.Join The Polis Center and the for September'...
08/20/2026

Affordability influences where people live, work, and raise their families.

Join The Polis Center and the for September's SAVI Talks as we explore affordability across Indiana and share a new resource designed to help users better understand how household income compares with the costs of essentials like housing, childcare, groceries, and utilities.

Sept. 17, 2026
9-11 a.m. ET
Online
Free

Register today: https://bit.ly/45XatUx

The Polis Center FacebookThe Polis Center's Community Research Project Coordinator, Esmé Barniskis, is excited to presen...
08/19/2026

The Polis Center Facebook
The Polis Center's Community Research Project Coordinator, Esmé Barniskis, is excited to present alongside Robin Elmerick of the Central Indiana Community Foundation at CICMSA's 2026 MythBusters: Case Management Edition on Oct. 1.
Together, they will discuss how the State of Aging in Central Indiana (SoAR) report can support professionals who work with older adults, including case managers, nurses, and social workers.
As a key initiative of The Polis Center, SoAR provides data and insights that help organizations better understand aging trends and community needs across Central Indiana.
Register today: https://cmsaci.starchapter.com/meet-reg1.php?id=146

Central Indiana Case Management Society of America

Rising costs affect communities in different ways. How can data help us understand these trends? Join The Polis Center's...
08/15/2026

Rising costs affect communities in different ways. How can data help us understand these trends?
Join The Polis Center's September SAVI Talks to explore the new Indiana Affordability Snapshot dashboard and learn how it measures affordability across Indiana communities by comparing household income with the cost of essentials.
� Sept. 17, 2026
� 9-11 a.m. ET
� Online
� Free
Reserve your spot: https://savi.org/event/savi-talks-the-indiana-affordability-snapshot/

Haven't registered yet? We've saved you a seat.Data can tell us what's happening, but qualitative data helps us understa...
08/14/2026

Haven't registered yet? We've saved you a seat.
Data can tell us what's happening, but qualitative data helps us understand the people and experiences behind the numbers.
Join SAVI for Data Literacy Module 2C: Beyond the Numbers: The Power of Qualitative Data and discover how interviews, focus groups, observations and lived experiences can strengthen your understanding of community issues and inform better decisions.
August 17, 2026 | 2 to 4 p.m. ET
Online | Free to attend
Learn more and register: https://savi.org/event/savi-data-literacy-module-2c-beyond-the-numbers-the-power-of-qualitative-data/

Address

535 W. Michigan Street, Fourth Floor
Indianapolis, IN
46202

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13172742455

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Polis Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category