About the Authors
Alberta:
Lars K. Hallstrom, PhD. Is a Professor of Political Science and the Director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy. Prior to joining the University of Lethbridge, he held faculty positions at St. Francis Xavier University (2001 – 2009) and the University of Alberta (2009 – 2020). He has spent the last 20+ years conducting research with, and on, rural communities in Canada.
Carly Heck, RN, MSc: Carly is a Research Associate with the Prentice Institute and a Registered Nurse with Alberta Health Services. She has experience in a wide range of research and clinical settings. Her most recent work has been focused on palliative care in the context of COVID-19, mental health and wellbeing in rural and Indigenous communities, and public policy analysis.
Lisa-Marie Swanepoel, MSc: Lisa-Marie worked with the Prentice Institute for a year and a half and is now a Clinical Service Practice Specialist with the Government of Alberta. Lisa-Marie comes from a strong public health background and has interest in rural health. Lisa-Marie has worked on research projects focused on long term care homes in rural Alberta as well as health outcomes among Indigenous communities.
Nicholas Yarmey is a Research Associate with the Prentice Institute where he specializes in GIS mapping, quantitative data analysis, and data visualization. His primary area of research is understanding and responding to the health and community impacts of resource development. He completed a Master of Science at the University of Connecticut where he researched resident attitudes toward black bears and human-black bear conflict management.
British Columbia:
Laura Ryser is the Research Manager for Rural and Small Town Studies at UNBC. She has been engaged in several national research projects where the BC Team has examined rural restructuring processes; the impacts of long-distance labour commuting on workplaces, source, and host communities; alternative service infrastructure arrangements, industry’s use of digitalization; and the use of municipal enterprises to strengthen rural resilience and sustainability.
Dr. Sean Markey, PhD MCIP RPP, is a professor and certified planner with the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University. His research concerns issues of community and regional economic development, rural and small-town planning and development, and nature-based solutions. Sean works with municipalities, non-profit organizations, Indigenous communities, and the business community to promote and develop sustainable forms of community and regional development.
Dr. Greg Halseth is a Professor in the Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences Department at UNBC, where he is also the Canada Research Chair in Rural and Small Town Studies, and the founder and Co-Director of the UNBC Community Development Institute. His research examines regional development processes, rural and small-town community development, and community strategies for coping with social and economic change, all with a focus upon northern B.C.
Dr. Sarah-Patricia Breen is the Regional Innovation Chair in Rural Economic Development at Selkirk Innovates and an adjunct professor at the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph. Her research is guided by partnerships with local and regional governments, organizations, and businesses and aims to inform and support rural regions to thrive under conditions of rapid change. Her research interests include economic development, infrastructure, natural resource management, resilience, governance and policy—all with a specific focus on rural.
Dr. Tamara Krawchenko is an Associate Professor in the School of Public Administration, Associate Director of UVic’s Institute for Integrated Energy Systems, a Strategic Research Area Lead for the Accelerating Community Energy Transformation Initiative, a core team member of the Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders program and Chair of the Local Governance Hub. She is an expert in comparative public policy, regional development and sustainability transitions.
Manitoba:
Anderson Assuah is an Assistant Professor in the Aboriginal and Northern Studies program at University College of the North (The Pas campus), Manitoba. His research mainly focuses on solid waste management, sustainability, environmental governance, Indigenous environmental knowledge, and climate change in northern, rural, and Indigenous communities. Dr. Assuah is the founder and chairperson of the University College of the North Sustainability Committee, which promotes Indigenous and non-Indigenous sustainability strategies in northern Manitoba.
Nicole Breedon (MA) is a researcher and the knowledge mobilization coordinator at the Rural Development Institute at Brandon University. Having been born and raised in northern Manitoba, Nicole is interested in exploring the place-based realities and lived experience for those in rural and remote communities. With a Master’s Degree in anthropology from the University of New Brunswick, she aims to incorporate a holistic lens to community research.
Wayne Kelly holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and Sociology from the National University of Ireland, Galway and a Master of Rural Development from Brandon University. As Director of the Rural Development Institute (RDI), Wayne applies innovative research to help rural Canada adapt to societal, economic, and technological changes. Wayne strongly believes in the importance of rural Canada for the nation’s success and people’s well-being. His extensive experiences across Canada and beyond have highlighted the vast opportunities for rural development in our changing world.
Bryanne Lamoureux (she/her) (MES) is a franco-Manitoban settler from Treaty 1 territory. She is a researcher, writer, and food grower. She currently works as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Winnipeg in the Environment and Society Co-Lab, where she supports and leads research on climate adaptation in rural settings.
As Canada Research Chair in Human-Environmental Interactions, Dr. Ryan Bullock focuses on the potential of cross-cultural collaboration in shaping northern economies, communities, and ecosystems. His research team engages in applied studies with communities, governments, and industries to enhance system responsiveness to environmental and social changes, particularly in the forested regions of Canada and Europe. Additionally, Ryan explores conceptual and theoretical questions related to the human dimensions of environmental resources, aiming to understand how societies respond to social-ecological crises, conflicts, and change. His recent work has been published in international peer-reviewed journals, including Ambio, Energy Research and Social Science, Environmental Management, and GeoJournal. Ryan is also an enthusiastic educator, teaching graduate courses in the Master in Environmental & Social Change program and undergraduate courses in the Department of Environmental Studies and Sciences.
Doug Ramsey is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Rural Development at Brandon University. Originally from a small agricultural community in southern Ontario, Doug gained firsthand experience with rural life through working on farms and connections to agricultural life within his family. These experiences fueled his passion for understanding and supporting rural communities, leading him to pursue a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph, where his research focused on how policy and economic conditions impact rural areas. At BU, Doug’s work explores themes such as agricultural restructuring, rural tourism, and community sustainability. His research is dedicated to ensuring the vitality of rural agricultural communities for future generations. Doug has co-authored studies on topics like small-town museums, cross-border shopping tourism, and the effects of COVID-19 on youth recreational hockey. He is also the founding editor of the Journal of Rural and Community Development and contributes to several boards, including the Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation. He teaches courses in rural tourism, research methodology, and rural community studies.
New Brunswick:
Lisa Hrabluk is an award-winning journalist, writer and strategist. She has written for Time, The Globe and Mail, CanWest News Service, Canadian Press, and the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal, and appeared on CBC Radio and TV. Through her consultancy Wicked Ideas Media, Lisa works with mission-driven leaders and teams to build broad consensus around complex issues.
Dr. Corrine Cash is an Assistant Professor of Planning and Community Climate Adaptation at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick. She has a PhD in Planning and a Masters of Environmental Studies in Planning from the University of Waterloo. Her recent books include The Political Economy of Climate Finance: Lessons from International Development and The Political Economy of Urban Water Security under Climate Change, both published by Palgrave.
Dr. Robert MacKinnon recently completed a term as Interim President and Vice-Chancellor of Mount Allison University (2023-24). Previously, he served as Dean of Arts and Vice-President Saint John at The University of New Brunswick, where he is currently Honorary Research Professor and Chair of the Board of the interdisciplinary journal, Acadiensis. He is also a member of the College of Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society.
Newfoundland and Labrador:
Leanna Butters is a PhD Candidate at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University in Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador. She is interested in built space change and community sustainability, especially within Canadian resource-dependent communities and regions.
Samantha Young enjoys connecting people to local food in her region and does so through her work with the Western NL Food Hub, Food First NL, and her passion for foraging and growing food. She completed her Masters in Environmental Policy at Memorial University and has been able to connect climate mitigation techniques to food systems throughout the Province through her work and academic experience
Nova Scotia:
Doug Lionais is Professor of Community Economic Development in the Shannon School of Business at Cape Breton University. He received his BBA from Cape Breton University, and his PhD (Economic Geography) from Durham University, UK. He teaches within Cape Breton University’s MBA in Community Economic Development (CED) program. Dr. Lionais’ research explores issues of uneven economic development in peripheral communities including topics such as mobile labour, and social enterprise and place-based businesses.
Northwest Territories: YES
Currently living and working in Yellowknife, Sophie moved to the Northwest Territories in 2016. Sophie is a graduate from the University of Saskatchewan and UiT the Arctic University of Norway with a Joint Master of Governance and Entrepreneurship in Northern and Indigenous Areas. Her Master thesis was focused on analyzing and understanding grantee-funder relationships in the Northwest Territories, and whether a trust-based philanthropy approach could help strengthen those relationships and mitigate power imbalances. Sophie is currently working as a Legislative Assembly Advisor – Social Programs, for the Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly, previously working as the Executive Director of the Yellowknife Community Foundation.
Nunavut:
Dr. Gwen Healey Akearok was born and raised in Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada and it is in this community that she continues to live, work, and raise her family. Gwen is co-founder and Executive and Scientific Director of the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre (AHRN-NU) in Iqaluit, NU. Gwen co-founded the Qaujigiartiit Health Research Centre in 2006 with the late Elder, Andrew Tagak Sr.. The goal of the Centre is to develop research projects that meet community needs and implement education programs based on Inuit pedagogical practice and pathways to wellbeing. Qaujigiartiit supports programs for lifelong learning to be implemented locally, by Nunavummiut, and with communities in a culturally-grounded and ethical environment. The centre works to elevate Inuit knowledge and practices into programs, courses, and systems to meet the needs of Nunavummiut.
Ontario: YES
Dr. Heather Hall was born and raised in Northern Ontario and still considers the region “home”. She is an Associate Professor in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development and the Academic Director of the Master of Economic Development and Innovation Program at the University of Waterloo. She is also the Chair of the Research Advisory Board for the Northern Policy Institute and a co-author of Planning Canadian Regions, 2nd Edition.
Prince Edward Island:
Tristan Atkins was born and raised on Prince Edward Island. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and is a current thesis student in the Master of Arts in Island Studies program at the University of Prince Edward Island. His research revolves around utilizing community-based research strategies to achieve a just and equitable sustainable transition in islanded and Indigenous communities.
Currently Assistant Professor and Chair of the Institute of Island Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island, Dr. Laurie Brinklow is a writer, editor, and former book publisher interested in the power of place and story and their impact on identity. She has published in several academic journals and books, is the author of two books of poetry, is Iceland’s Honorary Consul for PEI, and President of the International Small Island Studies Association (ISISA).
Kyla Deroo is a Rural Policy Specialist with the Department of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture, Government of Prince Edward Island, specializing in evaluation, community development, agriculture, and food security. She lives in rural Prince Edward Island.
Quebec:
Pierre-Luc Lupien, enseignant en sociologie au Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles, est responsable du Centre de recherche en patrimoine vivant. Il termine une thèse en sociologie à l’UQÀM sur les formes sociales du vieillissement en Gaspésie, s’appuyant sur une approche de sociologie de la connaissance et une méthodologie ethnographique. Son travail explore les dimensions spatiotemporelles et considère les aînés comme « porteurs de savoirs locaux » et comme “acteurs à part entière de leur communauté”.
Michel Landry, enseignant en histoire au Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles depuis 2013, a fondé le CERPAV en 2019. Il dispense un cours unique sur l’histoire de la Gaspésie, qui abordent notamment les enjeux patrimoniaux régionaux. Sa démarche pédagogique préconise une appropriation de l’histoire locale à travers des projets éducatifs mettant en contact les personnes étudiantes et les porteurs de mémoire. L’enseignant est aussi un auteur. Il vient de publier un premier roman, Écarté, création ancrée dans la culture régionale gaspésienne.
Saskatchewan:
Emmy Stavøstrand Neuls has worked within the space of distance education, research and partnerships for remote and northern communities for almost two decades. Currently, she is the Manager for Graduate Programs (Distance Delivery) at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School or Public Policy. Emmy has a BA in International Studies, MA in Political Studies, and is currently working on her EdD in Educational Leadership (all from University of Saskatchewan). Emmy along with her family have made Saskatoon, Canada their home, but they visit her home island of Svanøy, Norway, as often as possible.
Yukon:
Amanda Graham is the Chair of School of Liberal Arts at Yukon University. She teaches History and Northern and Circumpolar Studies and is a senior editor of The Northern Review.
Sara McPhee-Knowles is an assistant professor in the School of Business and Leadership at Yukon University in Whitehorse, Yukon. Previously, she worked in corporate policy for the Government of Yukon’s department of Highways and Public Works. Born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, she completed her PhD at the Johnson-Shoyama School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan. While not teaching and researching, she enjoys kicksledding, zipping around on her eBike, and camping with her family.
David Silas is from Pelly Crossing, Yukon Territory and a member of the Wolf Clan, a part of the Selkirk First Nation, and from the Northern Tutchone language group in central Yukon. David grandparents on his mother side are David and Martha Silas and mother Pearl Silas; and on his fathers’ side Alex Van Bibber and father is Richard Van Bibber. In 2018 David finished a Bachelor of Science Degree with a major in Northern Systems and is currently challenging a thesis-based master’s program with the University of Alberta. He was able to pursue his educational journey at home, in the Yukon, which allowed him to stay near his community of Pelly Crossing. This allowed him to connect with his culture, traditions, and land. As an active Canadian Ranger 1-CRPG for 14 years, David enjoys spending time with friends and family doing season harvesting activities on the land. David views education as a steppingstone for First Nations to get involved in their community and make difference where they can.