Historical Atlas of Italians in Canada
This is an Arthur F. Williams DARE Project in Canadian Studies. Additional eligibility criteria will apply. Please review guidelines.
Faculty Member's Name: Abril Liberatori
Faculty Member's Email Address: abrill@yorku.ca
Department/School: Department of History
Project Title: Historical Atlas of Italians in Canada
Description of Research Project
The Historical Atlas of Italians in Canada will be an interactive, web-based GIS platform that documents the migration, settlement patterns, and cultural contributions of Italians across Canada. The atlas will combine historical records, archival photographs, and geospatial data to provide a rich, accessible resource for scholars, educators, and the general public. Users will be able to explore Italian-Canadian communities across time and space through interactive maps, thematic layers, and curated multimedia content. The project is in its very early stages and is looking for a DARE student researcher to develop a proof of concept for one city.
Undergraduate Student Responsibilities
There are two main components of the student’s task:
1) To conduct original historical research using digitized sources (primarily StatsCan data, digitized newspapers, and city directories)
2) To create and develop an ArcGIS map which will be used to house found geographic data.
Qualifications Required
- Familiarity with GIS software and/or digital mapping tools.
- Experience working in historical research and archival methods
- Strong organizational and data management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Interest in Italian-Canadian history, migration/diaspora studies, or cultural heritage.
- Ability to work independently.
Interested in this project posting?
Submit your resumé and unique cover letter for this projects to the faculty supervisor. Deadline: February 6, 2026 by 4 p.m.