Abstract

The potential of maps to ‘mislead’ is flagged as an ethical issue in the academic literature and beyond. This potential resurfaced in discussions around Covid-19 mapping practices. Using Alvesson and Sandberg’s (2020) problematising review framework, we explore what assumptions are made about the map user and map engagement context when a disease map, or mapping or distribution practice is labelled as misleading, and how this conceptualization can be both a help and a hindrance for studying (engagement with) public health maps. We argue that further empirical research and theoretical development are needed to better understand map-based misleadingness in the context of public health crises, and that the label of misleadingness should be used with caution.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages18
JournalThe Cartographic Journal
Early online date10 Oct 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 10 Oct 2024

Funding

This research was conducted as part of a University of Bath Leveraged University Research Studentship associated with the RENEW project (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Global Challenges Research Fund, project number EP/P028403/1).

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • map engagement
  • map user
  • misleading
  • public health mapping
  • thematic mapping

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Earth-Surface Processes

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