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Top GIS Voices 2024: Milos Popovic

Data science, dataviz, and GIS specialist with a PhD in Political Science

Milos Popovic
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When creativity meets analytics, you get someone like Milos Popovic—a data scientist, mapping expert, and educator who turns complex data into visual masterpieces. Combining a PhD in Political Science with a deep love for geospatial data, Milos brings stories to life through maps, data visualizations, and teaching.

Painting the World with Data

Milos is best known for his ability to transform data into visually stunning and insightful maps. With over 300+ maps created using R, Plotly, and D3.js, his work has reached millions on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and Twitter. Whether it’s electoral data, census trends, or global conflicts, Milos’s maps blend art and science to simplify complex patterns.

His motto? “I paint the world with R and teach you to unleash your inner map artist.”

A Versatile Data Expert

Milos’s expertise spans:

  • Geospatial data analysis using R and QGIS
  • Machine learning and causal inference for impactful research
  • Visualization of big data with Python, SQL, and Power BI

His work includes projects with Columbia University, Arizona State University, Leiden University, and Boston University—showcasing his ability to communicate data-driven insights to diverse audiences.

Teaching and Mentorship

Milos is passionate about sharing his knowledge. From lecturing on research methods at Central European University to delivering QGIS and R training for university students, he empowers others to unlock the potential of data. His clear and engaging teaching style makes learning GIS and data visualization accessible, even for beginners.

A Track Record of Excellence

Milos’s journey is built on hard work and resilience. Recognized for his outstanding academic achievements, he holds awards like:

  • CEU Doctoral Fellowship
  • Young Talents Fund Fellowship of the Republic of Serbia

His research, focused on international relations and conflict studies, highlights his analytical rigor and ability to draw meaningful conclusions from data.

Why Milos Popovic Deserves Celebration

Milos Popovic is more than a data scientist—he’s a storyteller who bridges the gap between numbers and narratives. Through his maps, teaching, and research, Milos inspires others to explore the beauty of data and its power to shape how we understand the world.

Thank you, Milos, for reminding us that data can be both meaningful and artistic 🎨🌍. Your work sparks curiosity and brings clarity to an increasingly complex world.