PROGRAMME GOAL
Rural and small communities are different than their urban counterparts; their demographics, their sectoral employment trends, and their isolation are examples of contributing factors that impact these communities and justify the need for rural-focused responses. The goal of this research is to contribute knowledge to the field of rural planning and development by examining the concept of resiliency within rural and small communities.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1. To investigate four interrelated concepts of resiliency: social resiliency, economic resiliency, environmental resiliency, and legislative resiliency within and across small and rural communities
2. To collaborate with small and rural communities and develop a data-based of rigourous data that can be used to support the development of resilient small and rural communities.
3. To identify critical topics to small and rural communities (e.g., mental health, economic development, energy transitions, and policy) and design a series of projects that employ both quantitative and qualitative methodologies to gather relevant information.
4. To compile and mobilize the findings from this research program to inform policy and practice and support resilient small and rural communities.