The RFRC's research is disseminated in the form of peer-reviewed journal articles and books, conference and keynote presentations, reports, fact sheets, and media interviews. Some of the highlights are below.
RFRC Research Associate Dr. Richard leBrasseur completed a rural community strategic development plan for the Village of Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia. The Shubenecadie River Valley 2050 vision addresses climate-based environmental risk of increased flooding while promoting an agro-ecological landscape strategy which prioritises rural prosperity, inclusivity, and stability.
RFRC Research Associate Ray Bollman presented this research for a panel at the Canadian Economics Association meeting. He analyses Statistics Canada data to explore the demography of rural Canada. To view the slideshow from his presentation, click here.
RFRC Director Karen Foster prepared this expert report on behalf of the Mass Casualty Commission.
RFRC Director Karen Foster and Research Assistant Emma Kay Sarty prepared a report for LIFT Lunenburg County Microlending. The goal was to document the products and services residents perceive to be missing from Lunenburg County, to provide factual research to guide LIFT Lunenburg County and assist those interested in starting or expanding businesses in evaluating ideas and identifying opportunities.
RFRC director Karen Foster collaborated with the Dalhousie's Baxter Lab on a project examining food systems in Atlantic Canada. This publication reports on results from interviews with Nova Scotia food business owners.
RFRC researchers and affiliates (Elizabeth Fitting, Catherine Bryan, Karen Foster and Jason Ellsworth) have authored a new paper in the journal Agriculture and Human Values.
Climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation are major threats of the 21st century. Such crises are global in scope, but they manifest in everyday life through small, incremental changes that people observe in their local environments.
The RFRC is a partner on the Perceptions of Climate Change and Social Futures project, a component of the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI)-funded Future Ocean and Coastal Infrastructures (FOCI) research consortium. The Perceptions research team is led by University of Western Ontario's Howard Ramos, and includes RFRC director Dr. Karen Foster, research associate Rachel McLay, and post-doctoral fellow Dr.
Two publications by RFRC members are included in a special issue of the International Journal of Child, Youth & Family Studies. The theme of the special issue is Youth Transitions to Education and Employment: A Mobilities Perspective.
RFRC research associate Ray Bollman has analyzed quantitative data on rural Canada, and in 2020-2021, much of this research focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on rural employment.
He also has recently published a paper in the Journal of Rural and Community Development titled "Change in Reporting an Aboriginal Identity: Age Matters"
This data brief takes a look at how employment has been affected by the pandemic in rural and small town areas (RST) compared to larger urban centres (LUC). Prepared by RFRC associates Hannah Main and Ray Bollman.