Rural communities across Western Ontario are facing ongoing workforce challenges — from labour shortages to attracting and retaining new workers. At the 2025 Western Ontario Wardens Caucus (WOWC) Conference in London, Ontario on October 17, Dr. Ryan Gibson, Libro Professor of Regional Economic Development at the University of Guelph, delivered a presentation titled “Place Matters – Lessons in Workforce Development.”
Drawing on research and collaboration w
The October 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.
The Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) and Brandon University’s Rural Development Institute recently hosted the Foundations for the Future of Rural conference, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and community leaders to explore opportunities and challenges facing rural Canada.
Students, alumni, and faculty from the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development (SEDRD) made strong contributions to the event through a series o...
On September 11, 2025, the Facultad de Economía at the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México hosted an engaging academic exchange highlighting migration, labor, and economic dynamics between Canada and Mexico.
Dr. Ryan Gibson delivered a lecture titled "From Bunks to Belonging: Rethinking Seasonal Farmworker Housing in Canada". Drawing on recently collected data from local planners across Ontario, Dr. Gibson examined the critical role housing plays in
A big welcome to all incoming graduates students in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development! Profiles of new graduate students are forthcoming ... stay tuned.
The September 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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Professional advisors are invited to join the upcoming Lunch & Learn Workshop on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the NII Advance Technology Campus in Tiverton, ON. Presented by the Community Foundation Grey Bruce and Brightshores Health System Foundations, this event offers valuable insights into philanthropy, tax planning, and rural wealth transfers.
Laurie Fox will introduce and update attendees on Canada’s Will Power Campai...
Contributions are currently being accepted for a special issue of the Journal of Rural and Community Development focused on reimagining philanthropy in rural and northern Canada! This special issue will explore diverse dimensions of rural and northern philanthropy in Canada, with a focus on the role philanthropy plays in governance, social and environmental justice, decolonization, and innovation in community development within these contexts. It aims to d
The August 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.
This summer, I had the privilege of attending the 2025 CIP-OPPI National Planning Conference, held at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto from July 8–10, as a recipient of a student CIP-PSTF bursary, alongside fellow planning students from undergraduate and graduate programs across the country. It was also a pleasure getting to meet them and form new friendships throughout the conference.
Attending this conference was truly a great experience. As someo...
