The recent Rural Symposium brought together 160 participants, both in person and online, for a dynamic exchange of ideas focused on rural research and policy. The event featured 17 presentations and 11 posters, highlighting the depth and diversity of work being done by graduate students at the University of Guelph. These projects explored a wide range of rural issues and offered practical insights for policymakers and practitioners.

The Rural Symposium is an annual event that gives graduate students a chance to share their research with policymakers, policy analysts, and program staff from Ontario’s agriculture and rural ministries. It plays an important role in connecting students, researchers, and government representatives, helping to turn research into real-world impact. The event also supports networking and collaboration across sectors, strengthening ties between academia and government.

This year’s presentations and posters are available online for anyone interested in learning more about the research shared. You can explore them at https://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/ruralReview. The symposium continues to be a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and partnership building in support of rural communities.