Rural communities are critical to the country's economic success, yet they remain underrepresented and poorly understood in federal policies. Sarah-Patricia Breen, Heather Hall, Kyle Rich, and Ryan Gibson explore this question in the latest publication in The Conversation. Take a read of "In Canada’s 2025 federal election, is anyone paying attention to rural communities?" The article calls for stronger, evidence-based rural development programs to address
The latest issue of the Rural Review: Ontario Rural Planning, Development, and Policy is now available! This issue showcases graduate student, postdoctoral fellows, and community researcher led initiatives on a wide variety of topics related to rural environments, rural economies, Indigenous development, and rural peoples. The oral presentations and poster presentations were shared at the 2025 Rural Research Symposium on March 26, 2025.
A new publication from Alex Petric and Ryan Gibson was published in Regional Studies, Regional Science titled, "Hidden Treasures: Estimating Intergenerational Wealth Transfers in Rural Canada". This study examines how wealth is passed between generations in rural Canada and the potential impacts for local economies. Intergenerational transfers of wealth could play a crucial role in supporting rural communities. Without careful consideration, much of this ...
Check out the recent Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health lecture on the Urban Exodus. The presentation features Sara Epp (University of Guelph), Chris Fullerton (Brock University), Ellen Sinclair (Rural Ontario Institute), Scott Taylor (County of Grey) and Ryan Gibson (University of Guelph). The presentation shares recent research on findings from a province wide survey of municipal governments regarding the impacts of the COVID pandemic.
The February 2025 newsletter contains updates to graduate students working with Prof. Gibson and recent alumni. This newsletter shares information about academic programs updates, celebrates receive achievements, profiles an RPD alumni, and share insights on upcoming events. If you have information to share in the monthly update do not hesitate to let Ryan know via email.
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Congratulations to Paul Sitsofe for successfully completing his major research paper as part of his Master of Science (Planning) degree! Paul's research paper titled "Workforce Development in Rural Ontario: An Examination of Experiences and Strategies" is now available online through the University of Guelph's Atrium. A brief overview of Paul's research can be found below:
This study examines workforce development strategies in rural Ontario to address sk
Prof. Ryan Gibson recently delivered a presentation titled Translating Place to Wealth: Experiences from Place-Based Endowments in Rural Canada. The presentation was delivered at the Folk, Place, and Knowledge Conference in Singapore. Prof. Gibson's presentation focused on recent research in philanthropy, rural development, and wealth building. A brief description of the presentation is listed below:
Rural communities are at a critical turning p
November 8 is World Town Planning Day! Planners and communities all over the world come together to celebrate how good planning improves the lives of people and benefits society at large, creating places to live, work, and play together. World Town Planning Day serves as a call to action to create inclusive, resilient spaces that meet the diverse needs of present and future generations. World Town Planning Day is celebrated in 30 countries on four continen
We are excited to announce a new funded project titled "Bridging Rural Insights: Integrating Research, Policy, and Development". The funding will support knowledge translation through the 2025 Rural Symposium and the Rural Review: Ontario Rural Planning, Development, and Policy.
The Rural Symposium is an opportunity for University of Guelph graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to showcase their rural research to Government of Ontario staff, rural co
The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development renewed its partnership with the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health on October 30, 2024. The new five year memorandum of understanding continues to promote opportunities for research, evaluation, and knowledge mobilization among students and faculty members in the School and across the university.
The Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health is an organization focused on improving he...
