News

A new article in The Conversation examines what recent federal funding approaches for rural transit says about Canada's commitment to rural communities. Sarah Breen (SEDRD adjunct faculty member), Ela Mastej (Rural Studies PhD candidate), and Ryan Gibson (SEDRD faculty member) focus on the design of the Rural Transit Solutions fund and the difference the design made to the impacts.

The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) was well represented at the 2026 Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) and North Atlantic Forum Conference, where faculty, students, and alumni shared research that is helping shape the future of rural communities in Canada and beyond. Their presentations explored topics ranging from economic development and environmental stewardship to housing, philanthropy, belonging, and public policy.

The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) proudly announces the faculty promotions of Nadia Amoroso, Afshin Ashari, and Ryan Gibson effective July 1, 2026.

Two graduate students from the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development recently completed a nine‑day field visit to Arviat, Nunavut, marking the beginning of a new research initiative examining plastic pollution in Arctic communities. Hannah Walker, MSc student in Rural Planning and Development, and Sofia Ruggiero, a PhD student in Rural Studies, are studying under the supervision of Dr.

Researchers from the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development recently shared their work at the Fusion 2026 National Planning Conference in Montréal, Quebec, hosted by the Canadian Institute of Planners and l’Ordre des urbanistes du Québec.

Dean Orr, an MSc (Planning) student, has received the Canadian Institute of Planners Planning Student Trust Fund (CIP-PSTF) Innovation Planning Scholarship. He accepted the national award at the recent Canadian Institute of Planners conference in Montreal, Quebec on July 9, 2026. The scholarship recognizes an outstanding research submission that advances innovation in planning by introducing a new planning concept, solution, refined technique, or a new area of research.

Congratulations to Dr. Charlotte Potter, a graduate of the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development’s Doctor of Philosophy in Rural Studies program, on being awarded the 2026 D.F. Forster Doctoral Medal.

Congratulations to our recent Landscape Architecture graduates who were recognized for their outstanding achievements at the Ontario Agricultural College Convocation Awards Ceremony on June 11th, 2026, at the University of Guelph.

The OAC Chanasyk Medal for Professionalism was awarded to Bachelor of Landscape Architecture graduate Faustine Liu and Master of Landscape Architecture graduate Linna Chang in recognition of their professionalism and contributions to the field.