Prof. Al Lauzon, Program Coordinator for SEDRD's Capacity Development and Extension program is delighted to announce that Dr. Ataharul Chowdhury joined SEDRD as of July 1 as a faculty member. Ataharul's arrival is notable for CDE, SEDRD and OAC as his hiring marks the first hire in 15 years for the CDE program -- and marks the 7th faculty hire in two years for SEDRD programs.
Nicolas Brunet is an assistant professor in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development in Rural Planning and Development whose research uses social ecological systems thinking to propose innovative approaches to community and regional planning and development. Watch a short video clip about Nic here, produced by the Ontario Agricultural College.
Recent transformations in global economies have impacted for rural places throughout Canada. While some rural communities have flourished, others have struggled. This has lead to the question, “What is the future of rural communities throughout Canada?”. As part of CBC’s series called Transformations, Dr. Ryan Gibson participated in a series of 14 radio interviews to discuss the factors influencing the future of rural communities, the resilience of rural communities, and illustrations of successful rural communities.
The Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) positions for the Fall 2018 semester have now been posted. The deadline for applications is July 27, 2018. In order to be considered for a position, you must apply online at www.uoguelph.ca/sessional_ta/.
Winifredo Dagli, a former MSc Capacity Development and Extension student and current Rural Studies PhD student shares his experiences and learnings as one of the 42 doctoral and post-doctoral students in the recently concluded STEPS Centre Summer School on Pathways to Sustainability in Brighton, United Kingdom. This summer school was highly competitive and provided both academic credit and a tremendous learning opportunity.
Stephanie Patzer, MSc in Rural Planning and Development student at the University of Guelph, was part of a team recently was announced as a top 20 finalist in an international ideas competition inspired by the sustainable development goals. In the Spring 2018, the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment, Delft University of Technology launched an international ideas competition for students interested in the built environment and sustainable development called Confronting Informality.
Congratulations to the graduating students in landscape architecture who received the following awards at the Ontario Agriculture College convocation awards celebration held on June 13, 2018.
Above photo: The Chanasyk Medal for Professionalism was presented by Linda Irvine, OALA, FCSLA (niece to Professor Chanasyk, a forefather of Landscape Architecture at the University of Guelph)
Ashleigh Weeden is a Ph.D. student in the Rural Studies program in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph. Her doctoral research is finding ways to help rural Canada keep up in a future innovative digital economy.
The Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet) recently announced Dr. Ryan Gibson has been re-elected to the board of directors for a three-year term. CCEDNet is a member-driven, not-for-profit, charitable organization made up of community-based organizations, co-operatives, social enterprises, practitioners, active citizens, researchers, and other organizations involved in community economic development.
Wayne Caldwell is a professor in Rural Planning and Development in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph. Prof. Caldwell's research focuses on the future of rural communities, the future of rural Canada, the future of rural Ontario.