The Leanpub Podcast 🎙️ Feat. Qiusheng Wu, author of Introduction to GIS Programming: A Practical Python Guide to Open Source Geospatial Tools

Episode Details

In this Leanpub Podcast episode, Len Epp interviews Qiusheng Wu, author of Introduction to GIS Programming: A Practical Python Guide to Open Source Geospatial Tools. They discuss Qiusheng's journey from growing up in rural China to earning a PhD and becoming a leading figure in the open-source GIS community.

00:00 – Introduction to Qiusheng Wu and his geospatial background
06:06 – Academic journey across universities and research focus
10:11 – Cultural reflections on education systems and exams
13:57 – Comparing academic paths globally and insights into professorship
19:28 – Precision agriculture: How data transforms modern farming
26:33 – Understanding satellite imagery and temporal frequency
32:39 – Using AI to enhance geospatial imagery and data quality
36:56 – Python tools for converting and processing geospatial formats
41:37 – Embracing imperfection in content creation and audience connection
46:30 – International demand for his book and requests for translations

Qiusheng shares insights into his development of popular Python packages like geemap, leafmap, and geoai, which are widely used for geospatial analysis and Earth Engine workflows. He talks about his passion for teaching and democratizing access to GIS tools through his YouTube channel  @giswqs  and his book.

The episode explores the intersections of open source, data science, and education, highlighting Qiusheng’s philosophy of building tools that are not only powerful but also accessible and practical for a broad community of learners and professionals.

This interview was recorded on June 30, 2025.

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About the Book

Introduction to GIS Programming with Python offers a comprehensive, hands-on introduction to the world of geospatial analysis using Python. Designed for learners of all levels, this book breaks down the complexities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into clear, actionable steps, making it ideal for students, researchers, professionals, and self-learners interested in mastering spatial data programming.

Geospatial data has become a key player across numerous fields, including environmental science, urban planning, public health, and business analytics. As the volume and sophistication of this data increase, the need for accessible tools to analyze, process, and visualize it has never been greater. Python, with its rich ecosystem of libraries, is the go-to programming language for working with geospatial data—yet navigating the wide array of libraries and concepts can be overwhelming. This book provides the structure and clarity needed to move from Python novice to confident geospatial programmer.

What sets this book apart is its step-by-step, example-driven approach. Beginning with foundational Python programming skills, you'll build your understanding gradually, progressing to advanced techniques in geospatial analysis. The content is designed to be interactive, with real-world datasets and practical exercises that allow you to apply your skills immediately. You'll work through a variety of projects, from basic spatial data manipulation to building interactive dashboards and cloud-based geospatial applications.

Whether you're looking to automate GIS workflows, develop geospatial web applications, or deepen your spatial data science skills, Introduction to GIS Programming with Python will guide you through the entire process with clarity and confidence.

About the Author

Dr. Qiusheng Wu is an Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee and an Amazon Scholar. His research focuses on geospatial data science, with an emphasis on using open-source Python tools and cloud computing to study environmental change. He is the creator of several widely-used Python packages, including geemap, leafmap, and geoai, and is dedicated to advancing geospatial analysis and visualization. Dr. Wu's work is a cornerstone of the open-source geospatial community, and he brings his deep expertise to this book, guiding you through the process of learning and mastering geospatial programming with Python.

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