Working at the intersection of cartography, technology and art, Chelsea Nestel helps students and faculty at the University of Oregon learn to visualize and interpret our evolving world in new ways.

Waldo Tobler’s first law of geography states that “everything is related to everything else, but near things are more related than distant things.” UO’s David and Nancy Petrone GIS (Geographic Information Science) librarian and subject liaison for the Department of Geography, Nestel strives to embody this very concept in their work.   

“We’re never done mapping,” says Nestel. “Our world is always changing, and there are infinite versions of a place.”

Nestel’s journey into cartography began with a fascination for archaeological work. They earned master’s and doctoral degrees in cartography and GIS from the University of Wisconsin–Madison; their PhD also included a minor in art. As a graduate student, Nestel became interested in why art and aesthetics became marginalized in cartographic theory, despite the importance of aesthetics to the success of a map. Because of this marginalization, cartography lacked specialist vocabulary to discuss aesthetic matters. Questions of language became central to their work, and that was when she turned to the library for resources.

“I needed to consult an expert in linguistics and asked a librarian for general resources in a library chat. I had no idea that libraries had their own experts—research librarians! I was connected to a research librarian at the University of Wisconsin, Dr. Todd Michelson-Ambelang, who not only answered my linguistics questions, but offered support just like a committee member,” says Nestel.

That collaboration planted a seed. Nestel had always loved the process of research, but it wasn’t until later that they realized libraries could be a place to build a career around that work, after Michelson-Ambelang shared what it was like to become a research librarian. When federal funding cuts ended their research position at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Mapping Racism and Resistance Project, Nestel began heading in a new direction with Michelson-Ambelang as a mentor.

“I never thought that libraries could be an option for me, but when I saw the job opening [at Oregon] pop up, Todd encouraged me to apply,” explains Nestel. "The community of librarians has been so supportive. I’m grateful and honored to be part of the Libraries.”  

Nestel now brings their expertise to teaching workshops for students, faculty and staff on GIS, Spatial Analysis, Cartography and Design in the library’s GIS space, the Edmiston Classroom Library GIS Lab (Knight 144).  

For many students, GIS can feel intimidating at first, but Nestel’s approach emphasizes accessibility and experimentation.

“I encourage students to play and explore. It is easy to click through an assignment or project, but you’re not engaging creatively that way. When you engage creatively, you make knowledge your own,” says Nestel.

While Nestel is there to help with instruction in the classroom, like giving a presentation to a class or even assisting a faculty member with spatial products, they are also part of the library’s Data Services team and encourage students to utilize that resource.  

Whether she’s helping students design their first map or consulting on complex research projects, Nestel’s work reflects a deep belief in the connection between science and art, people and spaces, and data and design.

Drop-in consultations are available at the Data Services help desk for statistics, programming, and data analysis from 11-4 p.m. Monday to Friday. For the winter term 2026, GIS hours will generally be on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For in-depth questions, Chelsea can be booked for one-on-one consultations.