News

A Dalhousie researcher has contributed successfully as a co-applicant for a SSHRC grant of $2.5 million to strengthen the voices of rural and northern communities.

Dr. Kathleen Kevany along with her Master student Meggie MacMichael are active in this research partnership on The Rural Policy Learning Commons (RPLC). This RPLC network is a seven year initiative with funding from more than 30 partners and includes scholars, politicians and citizens in a variety of ways including conferences, webinars and publications. The network is focused on helping policy-makers be cognizant of the characteristics, unique benefits and challenges associated with rural and northern places. Kathleen and Meggie will be presenting papers at the CRRF conference in September 2014 at the University of Northern British Columbia.  Dr. Kevany will present on how local and regional efforts are being channeled to inspire public imagination for co-creating the best communities we can. This work is building on the research and call to action from the ONE NS Report, which is known also as the Ivany Report.

This funding was announced last week by the host site, Brandon University. The Principal Investigator is the highly respected specialist in rural research, Dr. Bill Reimer, now at Concordia University.  The RPLC project manager, Dr. Bill Ashton, Director of Brandon University’s Rural Development Institute offers his perspective on the 7 year project. “Rural regions and urban centres remain connected through their labour needs, food production, resource development, and energy demands and the RPLC will engage urban-based policy decision-makers with rural-focussed challenges, opportunities, and aspirations.”

Contact Kathleen Kevany for more information. 893-6725