This list provides a partial representation of student researchers involved in rural research and is continuously expanding with new additions each day.
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Ajibola Michael Agbejobi College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Masters Student Bio: Ajibola Michael Agbejobi is a passionate advocate for human well-being, environmental sustainability, and the pursuit of knowledge. Born and raised in a rural area in Ekiti State, Nigeria, Ajibola’s upbringing instilled in him a deep appreciation for the unique challenges and opportunities that exist in our communities. This passion led him to pursue a career in Urban and Regional Planning.
Ajibola holds an impressive academic background, having earned a National Diploma, Higher National Diploma, and a B. Tech in Urban and Regional Planning. His educational journey equipped him with a solid foundation in understanding the dynamics of urban spaces, but his heart remained rooted in the rural context that shaped his early years.
To further his commitment to rural development, Ajibola is currently enrolled in the Master of Planning in Rural Planning and Development program at the University of Guelph, ON, Canada. This advanced degree reflects his dedication to acquiring specialized knowledge that will empower him to address the unique challenges faced by rural communities around the world.
Ajibola’s academic pursuits are complemented by his practical engagement in the field. He currently serves as a graduate research assistant, collaborating with Prof. Ryan Gibson at the University of Guelph. This partnership involves working on research projects focused on Rural Economic Development, where Ajibola actively contributes his insights and skills to enhance our understanding of the economic dynamics within rural landscapes.
With a blend of academic rigor and hands-on experience, Ajibola is positioned to make significant contributions to the field of Rural Planning and Development. His goal is to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that the knowledge he gains is applied in real-world contexts to drive positive change in rural communities.
Ajibola’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of education and passion when harnessed for the betterment of society. As he continues his studies and research endeavors, Ajibola M. Agbejobi is not just a scholar but a dedicated advocate for the holistic development of rural areas, bringing a wealth of knowledge and commitment to the forefront of rural planning and development initiatives Email:aagbejob@uoguelph.ca Linkedin:Jibola Jobi
Amanda Mongeon College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Doctoral Student Bio: Amanda is a Ph.D. student in the University of Guelph’s Rural Studies Program, working under the supervision of Dr. Leith Deacon. Her research interest is governance for health and wellbeing in rural communities. She is currently working on a CIHR-funded research project titled “Learning from COVID-19 to identify supports and structures that will strengthen rural response to future disruption.” Amanda lives in Temiskaming Shores in Northern Ontario where she is also a Program Manager at Timiskaming Health Unit. Email:amongeon@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Linkedin
Caleigh Copelin College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: Animal Biosciences Position: Doctoral Student Bio: I graduated from the University of Guelph in 2022 with a Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management degree, majoring in Equine Management. I am now a PhD student at the University of Guelph studying equine behaviour and welfare with Dr. Katrina Merkies. I first became involved with equine welfare research in 2020 as an undergraduate research assistant, and have been pursuing this passion ever since. My research is primarily related to equitation science – the study of the relationship between horses and humans, and how our management and training decisions can impact them. Some of the previous research projects that I have been involved with include:
– The Canadian equine industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic
– The use of blindfolds to improve handling of horses in dangerous or stressful situations
– The use of tack and equipment in sale ads for horses
– Characterizing the role of granular lymphocytes in mild equine asthma
– Noseband fit, measurements, regulations, and perceptions of Canadian equestrians
My current research for my PhD thesis focuses on the welfare of riding lesson horses in Canada. Riding lesson horses are the foundation of the Canadian equine industry, serving as the entry point for many beginner riders. However, most equine behavior and welfare research does not focus on the unique stressors that lesson horses face. Lesson horses have been reported to have poorer welfare compared to other types of horses in the industry and tend to have more pessimistic outlooks towards life. With my project, I hope to create a better understanding of the state of lesson horse welfare in Canada. My research seeks to identify management factors that may reduce the level of stress these horses experience during riding lessons and contribute to the long-term sustainability of lesson horses and the riding lesson industry as a whole. This research has been funded by the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance, as well as scholarships from NSERC and OGS. I am a Trustee and the Honorary Secretary of the International Society for Equitation Science (ISES). Our mission is to promote and encourage the application of objective research and advanced practice which will ultimately improve the welfare of horses in their associations with humans. Outputs: Journal Publication Citations: Merkies K, Copelin C, Small N, Young J. 2022. Noseband fit: Measurements and perceptions of Canadian equestrians. Animals 12:2685. doi:10.3390/ani12192685. Merkies K, Copelin C, Crouchman E, St-Onge A. 2020. The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Riding Lesson Barns and Summer Camps in Ontario. Animals. 10(12):2412. doi: 10.3390/ani10122412. Merkies K, Copelin C, McPhedran C, McGreevy P. 2022. The presence of various tack and equipment in sale horse advertisements in Australia and North America. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. 55-56:63-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jveb.2022.07.010. Compliance or confusion? The impact of blindfolding on ease of handling in horseshttps://www.equitationscience.com/ Email: ccopelin@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Linkedin.comResearchGateGoogle ScholarUofG Animal Biosciences
Calum Jacques College: Ontario Agricultural College School/Department: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Bio: Calum Jacques is currently enrolled as a student in the MSc in Rural Planning & Development program at the University of Guelph, where he is studying under the supervision of Dr. Ryan Gibson. His professional background includes working for various environmental organizations, where he has been involved in building gardens for seniors, managing social media for agritourism nonprofits, and leading tours for Ontario parks. In 2021, Calum co-launched a project called Tasty Farm, which aimed at growing indoor specialty produce. Prior to his current program, he completed his undergraduate studies at Ryerson University (now T.M.U.) in Arts and Contemporary Studies, with a minor in Philosophy and a certificate in Urban Agriculture. Looking ahead, Calum plans to travel to Tokyo in Autumn 2024 to conduct research on peri-urban farms for his thesis, with a focus on integrating agriculture into development. His academic and professional interests revolve around translating the principles of walkability, human-scaled design, and mixed-use land to rural areas. Email:cjacqu02@uoguelph.ca
Caroline Reisiger College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: Department of Plant Agriculture Position: Doctoral Student Bio: Caroline is a second-year Doctoral student with a specialty in forage crop production systems, working with Dr. Kim Schneider. Her research project, funded by OMAFRA and Beef Farmers of Ontario, focuses on how nitrogen rate affects economic and environmental outcomes on cool-season perennial pasture in Ontario. Part of this work will investigate the carbon sequestration potential of pasture soil and its relationship to root biomass. This project will also involve collaboration with regional producers, evaluating a pasture management tool called a rising plate meter for use in Ontario. Caroline is originally from Brant county and completed her MSc in 2022 in the College of Biological Sciences at Guelph. Research Links:Pasture Mixes, Pasture Management, and Methane ReductionRestoring Natural Habitat on Farmland Yields Big Biodiversity Payoff Email:creisige@uoguelph.ca LinkedIn:LinkedIn Google Scholar profile:Google Scholar
Colin Gibson College: College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Department/School: School of Engineering Position: PhD Candidate Bio: Colin Gibson is a PhD candidate in Water Resources Engineering and International Development Studies at the University of Guelph. He is also a Project Officer for Ohneganos, an Indigenous-led water research program based out of Six Nations of the Grand River. Colin’s research focus is on decentralized wastewater treatment systems and their performance and appropriateness in cross-cultural (often rural) contexts. Email:cgibso05@uoguelph.ca LinkedIn:Colin Gibson’s LinkedIn ResearchGate:Colin Gibson’s ResearchGate ORCID:Colin Gibson’s ORCID Google Scholar:Colin Gibson’s Google Scholar Academia.edu:Colin Gibson’s Academia.edu Twitter:@colingibson_m
Damilola Oyewale College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student Bio: Comes from agricultural background and has practical experience in community-driven planning activities. Damilola is passionate about policies and practices that create sustainable and equitable communities. Website(s):LinkedinTwitter(X) Email:doyewale@uoguelph.ca
Derry Wallis College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student Bio: Derry is currently working towards her Master of Science in Rural Planning and Development where her research is focused on understanding the driving forces behind the implementation and evaluation of climate actions within small and medium sized Ontario municipalities. Derry hopes that her research is able to explore the unique circumstances and challenges faced by smaller municipalities and provide a practical perspective on how small Ontario municipalities are currently increasing their climate resiliency. Email:dwallis@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Linkedin
Edward Asafo-Agyei College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student Bio: Edward is an enthusiastic development professional with over a decade of experience managing sustainable agricultural development programs and projects. He is recognized for his expertise in building sustainable communities through monitoring, evaluation, research and learning, and technical support services for agricultural value chain actors and stakeholders. Edward is committed to promoting ecological and environmental sustainability through the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices. Edward was the Senior Research Associate with the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) in Ghana, the leading evaluation think-tank for the global south. In this role, he spearheaded the development of a theory of change and contributed to the development of an Evidence and Gap Map (EGM) on infrastructure’s impact on nutritious diets, women empowerment, and gender equality in Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He also reviewed proposals and commissioned mini projects across four African countries.Prior to joining ICED, Edward was the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer for the Yam Improvements for Income and Food Security in West Africa (YIIFSWA-II) project, another BMGF-funded project, at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ghana. He spent over eight years in various capacities and locations within the Ghanaian Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) to promote sustainable agricultural and environmental practices, rising to managerial roles. He holds an MSc in Monitoring and Evaluation from Christian Service University College in Kumasi, Ghana, and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, specializing in Economics, from the esteemed Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He also completed his first master’s program in MPhil Agricultural Economics at the same prestigious institution. Edward is currently pursuing a thesis-based Master of Science in Capacity Development and Extension in the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph. His research focus is on “Examining the Influence of Agricultural Policy Misinformation on the Adoption of Sustainable Agricultural Practices under the Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ) Policy in Ghana.” Email:easafoag@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Linkedin Twitter(X): @EK_asafo-agyei
Gideon Binobo College: College of Social and Applied Human Sciences Department/School: Department of Geography, Environment and Geomatics Position: Doctoral Student Bio: I am a PhD student taking up PhD Geography (Environmental Management and Governance) with a collaborative specialization in International Development Studies (IDS). I am working on my research on fisheries governance. Email:gbinobo@uoguelph.ca Website(s):LinkedIn Profile
Hannah Woodhouse College: OVC – Ontario Veterinary College Department/School: Department of Population Medicine Position: Doctoral Student Bio: Hannah is a Ph.D. student in the Population Medicine Department at the University of Guelph studying free fatty acids in milk, which is a milk quality concern. Hannah completed her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Nutritional and Nutraceutical Sciences and was first introduced to the Population Medicine department in 2018 when she completed a summer research assistantship offered by her President’s Scholarship. Hannah comes from a family-operated dairy farm and enjoys spending time with her cows and beekeeping! She also is passionate about long-distance running and has competed for Canada internationally as a national team member and varsity University of Guelph Track and Cross-Country athlete. Outputs:ScienceDirect ArticleHoard’s Dairyman ArticleBC Milk Information SheetCBC News ArticleGuelph Today ArticleNMCO Meeting Email:woodhouh@uoguelph.ca Website(s):LinkedIn Profile HQP Scholar Profile
Heather Douglas College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student Bio: Heather completed her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Guelph in 2021, majoring in Geography. She is now a student in the Master of Science in Rural Planning and Development, studying under Dr. Ryan Gibson. Her main areas of focus are heritage conservation, sustainable development, and policy planning. She is interested in how provincial policy can influence the development of rural communities, particularly those that have seen an increase in migration in recent years. Email:hdougl01@uoguelph.ca Website(s):LinkedIn Profile
Heather Graham College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student Bio: Heather is currently a MSc Rural Planning and Development student working under Dr. Ryan Gibson. Her main interests include migrant and newcomer experiences, heritage conservation and land use planning. Since January 2023, she has been involved in several projects. Over the Winter 2023 semester, much of her time had been spent on the project titled, “Urban Exodus: Understanding the Impacts of Migration to Rural Ontario as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” which is currently led by Dr. Sara Epp in collaboration with Dr. Ryan Gibson. Currently, she is also involved in research related to northern Ontario airport access and newcomer attraction. Research insights completed by Heather for the Urban Exodus project Urban Exodus poster presentation at the 2023 Rural Symposium: Email:hgraha02@uoguelph.ca Twitter(X): @hgrhm_
Heather White College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student Bio: I was born into rural Ontario, and raised with strong ties to small towns and the surrounding rural community. There were many examples of change-makers around me; many were teachers or those in the business of farming and/or supporting agriculture. My early academic and work career was focused on understanding how soil, water and nutrients moved in the environment, obtaining my MSc in Environmental Sciences from the University of Guelph, then working in the private sector as a research assistant. Fast forward 20 years, and I was back again at the University. This time, pursing a Masters from the Capacity Development and Extension program. For my research, I have the privilege of interviewing farmers as a way to better understand how information related to agricultural soil health is shared, understood, and acted upon.
Jenna Livingstone College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student Bio: Jenna Livingston is a recent graduate from the Master of Landscape Architecture program at the University of Guelph currently living and working in Hillsburgh, Ontario. Jenna’s research focused on design strategies to improve ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes. Her upbringing on a farm and appreciation for the natural environment continues to inspire her to re-imagine farmland that is both productive and ecological. In addition to design work, Jenna enjoys growing seasonal flowers and vegetables with her family. This work has connected her with a local soil health group, Erin Common Ground, a grass roots initiative interested in cultivating a community of soil stewards. Jenna enjoys being surrounded by opportunities that are creative and collaborative. Her previous work as an Outdoor Education teacher involved creating experiential learning opportunities centered around food literacy and local food initiatives. Thesis: https://hdl.handle.net/10214/27605 Email:jlivin08@uoguelph.ca
Jeremy Parsons College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student Bio: Jeremy Parsons is a heritage professional with both public and private sector experience, having worked for several municipalities, research collections, and consulting firms. Jeremy is currently completing his Master of Planning (MPlan) degree in the School of Environmental Design & Rural Development at the University of Guelph. He is currently a Senior Heritage Planner with the City of Cambridge. Previously, he worked as a heritage planner with the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, and the City of Hamilton. Jeremy holds a Master of Arts in Geography from McMaster University, specializing in urban historical geography and a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Redeemer University. Jeremy’s research interests lie in the intersection between community identity, heritage, and economic development. He will be conducting research on the adaptive reuse of vacant or underutilized civic buildings, halls, and places of faith in rural communities across Canada. The research will address the evolution of the Canadian rural landscape in the 21st century and address secondary topics related to shifts in demographics, relocation, civic engagement, and religious trends among the Canadian population. Outputs: The Making of the Meadowlands: How Ancaster’s Fields Became Hamilton’s Suburbs, Master’s thesis, McMaster University, 2015 Hometown Advantage: The Making of Modern Suburb, Urban Geography Journal, 2019 From Skating to Malting: Bringing Craft Beer to Dundas, The Acorn: The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario’s Magazine, 2016 Island Villages: Amalgamation & the Smallest Independent Municipalities That Have Avoided It, Municipal World, 2016 Email:jparso03@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Linkedin Twitter(X): @jeremyeparsons
Joshua Barrett College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Doctoral Student Bio: Joshua Barrett is a PhD Candidate in the Rural Studies program at the University of Guelph. His research is focused on public policy and rural development, and the various ways local governments can improve the socioeconomic conditions of their communities. He teaches courses at both Memorial University and the University of Guelph. In addition to his research work, Josh is a Senior Environmental Planner with Stantec. In this role, he leads social and economic analysis on engineering, environmental, industrial, and other development projects. He has worked on raising public awareness, engaging the academic community and professional associations, municipalities and other organizations as it pertains to climate change adaptation and the green economy. Since 2021, Josh has served Councillor At-Large for the Town of Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador. With a community of over 27,000 residents, Josh’s involvement includes Planning and Development, as well as Economic Development and Tourism. Outputs: Publications Ryser, L., Barrett, J., Markey, S., Halseth, G., & Vodden, K. (2023). Municipal entrepreneurialism: Can it help to mobilize resource-dependent small communities away from path-dependency? Regional Science, Policy and Practice, DOI: 10.1111/rsp3.12649. Barrett, J. & Vodden, K. (2022). Partnerships in place: Facilitating rural local government entrepreneurialism in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Canadian Geographer, 14(3), DOI: 10.1111/cag.12814. Barrett, J. (2022). Routes and Roots: Factors that drive labour mobility in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Applied Mobilities, 7(1), 62-80. Barrett, J. (2019). There and Back Again: How Labour Mobility Impacts Community Development in Source Communities. Transatlantic Journal of Rural Research, 1(1), 2-30. Reimer, B., Barrett, J., Vodden, K., and Bisson, L. (2019). Rural-Urban Interactions and Interdependence. In Kelly Vodden, David Douglas, Sean Markey, Sarah Minnes, Bill Reimer (Eds.), The Theory, Practice, and Potential of Regional Development: The Case of Canada. London: Routledge Gibson, R. & Barrett, J. (2018). Philanthropic Organizations to the Rescue? Alternative Funding Solutions for Rural Sustainability. In Greg Halseth, Sean Markey, Laura Ryser (Eds.), Integrative Services and Service Infrastructure for 21st Century Rural Sustainability. London: Routledge. Barrett, J., Minnes, S., and Vodden, K. (2015). Exploring solutions for sustainable rural drinking water systems. Plan Canada, 55(1). Barrett, J. (2014). Is freedom of the press required for a liberal democracy: A case study of Mexico’s freedom of the press and democracy. Mapping Politics, 6, 5-15.Presentations Barrett, J. (2023, April). The Role of Municipalities in Economic Development. Presented at the Opportunity Placentia Bay Conference, Marystown, NL. Barrett, J. (2023, March). From path dependency to path renewal? Opportunities for local government entrepreneurialism in historically resource-dependent rural communities. Presented at the American Association of Geographers Annual Conference, Denver, CO. Barrett, J. (2022, October). An Evolutionary Economic Geography / New Public Management / Staples Theory nexus?: Conceptual considerations for rural economic development research with local governments. Presented at the Atlantic Canadian Association of Geographers Annual Conference, Halifax, NS. Barrett, J & Vodden, K. (2022, May). Partnerships in place: Facilitating rural local government entrepreneurialism in Newfoundland and Labrador. Presented at the Canadian Association of Geographers Annual Conference, Toronto, ON. Barrett, J. (2019, October). State of Rural Canada, Volume 3. Invited Speaker. Presented at the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundations Annual Conference, St. John’s, NL. Barrett, J. (2016, October). Money Matters: Mobile Workforces and Local Economic Development in Source Communities. Presented at the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation’s Annual Conference, Guelph, ON. Barrett, J., Reimer, B., and Vodden, K. (2016, August). Examining the Nature of Rural-Urban Interactions and Interdependencies in Canadian Regions. Presented at the International Rural Sociology Association’s Biennial Conference, Toronto, ON. Barrett, J. (2016, June). Social Development and Source Communities: How Mobile Workers Spend Time in their Permanent Place of Residence. Presented at the Canadian Association of Geographers Annual Conference, Halifax, NS. Barrett, J. (2016, April). Regional Sustainability in a Mobile World: Reflections from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Presented at the Regional Studies Association Annual Conference, Building Bridges: Cities and Regions in a Transnational World, Graz, Austria. Barrett, J. (2016, March). ‘Commuting is a way of life for many’: Mobile Workers and Newfoundland’s Nickel processing Sector. Presented at Memorial University’s Department of Geography Bluebox Seminar Series, St. John’s, NL. Barrett, J. (2015, September). Commuters and communities: How employment mobility affects community development in source communities. Presented at the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation’s Annual Conference, Building Resilient Communities: Innovation, Culture, and Governance in Place, Summerside, PE. Barrett, J. (2015, June). Resource towns to no towns?: The evolution of commute work from the 1950s to present and how it impacts communities. Presented at the Canadian Sociological Association Annual Conference, Ottawa, ON. Vodden, K., Hall, H., and Barrett, J. (2015, June). Mobile Work and Changing Community Dynamics on the Isthmus of the Avalon, Newfoundland and Labrador. Presented at the Canadian Association of Geographers Conference, Vancouver, BC. Reimer, B., Barrett, J., and Vodden, K. (2015, May). The Water-Food-Energy-Climate Nexus as an Opportunity for Rural-Urban Policy Integration. Presented at The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Rural Development Policy Conference, National Prosperity through Modern Rural Policy, Memphis, TN. Barrett, J. (2014, October). Fostering Rural Revitalization and Regional Collaboration through Philanthropy? Presented at the Atlantic Canadian Association of Geographers Conference, St. John’s, NL. Gibson, R., & Barrett, J. (2013, October). Fostering Sustainable Communities through Philanthropy? Presented at the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation Conference, Thunder Bay, ON. Barrett, J., & Gibson, R. (2013, August). Philanthropy: A Savior to Regional Development in Rural Areas? Presented at the Canadian Association of Geographers Conference, St John’s NL. Email:joshua.barrett@uoguelph.ca Website(s):www.joshbarrett.caLinkedin Twitter: @JoshBarrettCBS
Juliet Germann College: Ontario Veterinary College Department/School: Department of Population Medicine Position: Doctoral Student Bio: Juliet is a PhD student specializing in Epidemiology within the Department of Population Medicine at OVC. Her current research focuses on investigating biosecurity use within small-scale sheep and goat farming operations. More specifically, how behavioral determinants influence the introduction and spread of disease. Within Ontario, her research emphasizes concern related to foodborne illnesses resulting from ruminants, such as Campylobacteriosis, Listeria, and Salmonella. This project aims to improve sustainable agriculture while also advocating for more equitable dietary practices. Email:germannj@uoguelph.ca Website(s):LinkedIn Profile
Larissa Parekh College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student Bio: Research Title: From Crisis to Community: Exploring Informal Leadership and Rural Women in Community Resilience and Community-Based Adaptation to Climate Change As climate change continues to threaten the most vulnerable communities, strengthening community resilience and engaging in adaptation methods is critically needed. Developing countries and rural communities are often most susceptible to climatic impacts, and with the increased frequency of natural disasters and unpredictable weather causing concern for agricultural practices and exacerbation of inequalities, community resilience and community-based adaptation plans are of the utmost importance. Informal leaders are members of communities that hold no formal position within institutions or policy-making decisions, yet they hold great responsibility in the success of community capacity and strengthening of social capital. Rural women, more specifically, bring unique experiences and contextualized knowledge that contribute to creating sustainable community-based adaptation methods within rural communities. This research aims to better understand rural women in developing countries and their role as informal leaders for community-based adaptation and responses to global climate change. This paper serves as an introduction to how informal leadership and social capital drives the success of community-based adaptation to climate change within rural communities in developing countries, with an emphasis on women-focused experience and contextualized knowledge. Email:lparekh@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Linkedin
Lucas Berek College: Ontario Agricultural College School/Department: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student
Lucas Berek is a Master’s of Science in Rural Planning and Development Student at The University of Guelph. Lucas was raised in Historic Downtown Alliston, Ontario, allowing him to be close to his community and a champion for its development. Lucas is incredibly passionate about the growth of Southern Ontario and the implications of policy, economics and ethics during the development process. Lucas is looking to expand his research within downtown renewal and strengthen the networks of local economies. Additionally, Lucas is currently one of the Chairmen of the Ontario Agricultural Graduate Student Council.
Lucas is currently working on a research initiative with the Social Science and Humanities Research Council focusing on knowledge mobilization and economic development in Rural communities. Email:lberek@uoguelph.ca
Manuel Pérez Maldonado College: Ontario Veterinary College Department/School: Department of Population Medicine Position: Doctoral Student Bio: I completed my Bachelor and Master of Veterinary Sciences at the University of Chile. I am a Ph.D. candidate in Epidemiology plus One Health Collaborative Specialization. My research area is related to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in the environment (urban, rural, and natural settings), including the collection of data and its analysis through different modeling approaches. Email:mperezma@uoguelph.ca LinkedIn:LinkedIn Twitter:@mnperezma
Mary Thornbush College: Ontario Agricultural College Department: School of Environmental Sciences Position: Others Bio: Dr. Thornbush is currently involved in a research study examining soil crusting in agricultural experimental plots located in southwestern Ontario. Her area of focus is Soil Science, with an emphasis on image processing, and she is a member of the Soil Imaging Laboratory. Outputs:Google ScholarResearch gate Email:mthornbu@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Linkedin
Natasha Weppler College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: Plant Agriculture Bio: I am a Filipino-Canadian from Minto, Ontario with strong interests in entomology, agriculture, and One Health. My research at the Ridgetown Campus focuses on western bean cutworm (WBC), Striacosta albicosta, and true armyworm (TAW), Mythimna unipuncta, which are lepidopteran insect pests that can cause economic injury to a variety of field crops in Ontario. While WBC is a major pest of corn and dry edible beans in Ontario, TAW is a sporadic pest of small cereals and corn. Management of these pests relies on insecticides and transgenic corn that produces toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt); however, stewardship of only Bt toxin that is effective against WBC, Vip3A, is crucial for sustainable use of this technology. For TAW, the threshold for economical insecticide application has recently been questioned in cereals. My research aims to 1) determine WBC movement and overwintering survival when exposed to different planting configurations of Vip3A corn, 2) update TAW economic thresholds, and 3) develop an effective laboratory rearing diet to continue and enhance future research efforts. Outputs:https://www.instagram.com/researchbytash/ Email:nweppler@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Linkedin Twitter(X): tash_leaf
Natassia Lambrou College: OVC – Ontario Veterinary College Department/School: Department of Population Medicine Position: Master Student Bio: Natassia Lambrou is an MSc. student working toward her degree in epidemiology. Natassia graduated with a BBRM in Equine Management from the University of Guelph, and is currently working alongside Dr. Kelsey Spence & Dr. Charlotte Winder to explore bison producers’ access to veterinary care in Ontario. She plans to apply her findings to help identify bison producers’ veterinary needs and improve their access to veterinary care. Natassia intends to pursue a DVM degree and apply her research knowledge to her future studies. Email:nlambrou@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Linkedin
Nicole Cupolo College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student
Temporary Foreign Agricultural Workers (TFAWs) are critical sources of labour for Canada’s agricultural sector. However, TFAWs experience complex vulnerabilities as a result of structural inequalities and discrimination within agricultural streams of Canada’s Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). The multiple, diverse, and intersecting social identities of TFAWs (e.g., gender, age, race, nationality, sex, language, and socio-economic status) may compound to exacerbate or lessen vulnerabilities, including gender-based violence (GBV) and discrimination. Through a scoping review of academic and grey literature, this research contributes to conceptual and practical knowledge regarding GBV in Canada’s agricultural TFWP in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. The following objectives guided our research: Collect documented evidence regarding GBV and TFAWs in the agricultural sector. Describe how GBV is experienced differently by diverse groups of TFAWs in Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia. Understand how policies address or confront GBV experienced by TFAWs in these three provinces. Outline which infrastructure exists to support TFAWs and how supports can be enhanced to better support TFAWs who experience GBV. Our search strategy returned 1,273 grey and academic articles, 128 of which were selected for full-text review. Of those, 62 sources met our criteria for data extraction and were reviewed using a Gender-Transformative Approach and a Systems Thinking framework to examine how structures and institutions (formal and informal) create and exacerbate inequalities between TFAWs while influencing the formation of systems’ structures which either promote or negate GBV. The paragraph above is an except from our policy brief, derived from our scoping review. This scoping literature review is a culmination of efforts by Dr. Silvia Sarapura (principal), Margarita Fontecha (PhD Candidate), Charlotte Potter (PhD Candidate), Regan Zink (PhD Student), and Nicole Cupolo (MSc. Candidate) Outputs: February 28, 2023 Februrary 27, 2023 April, 2023 2023 Rural Symposium on March 2, 2023 Link to the poster May 12, 2023 New Canadian Media website Email:ncupolo@uoguelph.ca
Oisin Graydon College: OVC – Ontario Veterinary College Department/School: Department of Population Medicine Position: Master Student Bio: Hello, my name is Oisin (uh-sheen) Graydon. I completed my Undergraduate degree here at the University of Guelph in Animal Biology in 2022, and during that time I assisted in research at the OVC that started my path down the road I am today. Currently, I am a Thesis-based Master Student at the Ontario Veterinary College in the Department of Population Medicine. My research involves goat milk quality and bacterial surveillance with aims to establish benchmark values for milk quality factors, identify the pathogens most frequently associated with subclinical and clinical mastitis, and help identify management practices that ensure high-quality milk. Email:ograydon@uoguelph.ca LinkedIn:LinkedIn Profile
Paul Sitsofe College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master student Bio: Paul Sitsofe is a dedicated professional with a diverse background in social and community service, academic education, and practical experience. He is currently a Master of Planning, Rural Planning and Development student at the University of Guelph, where he is currently a graduate student research assistant, focusing on rural demographic shifts and innovative workforce development strategies. Paul’s prior roles include serving as a Principal Community Development Officer, at the Department of Community, in Accra, where he led community development programs and demonstrated expertise in community economic development planning and management, child protection, and community facilitation. His resilient and positive approach to problem-solving is particularly highlighted in social and behavioral change contexts. Additionally, Paul has a diverse educational background, including a Master of Arts in Adult Education and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Ghana, complemented by various certifications and volunteer experiences. His commitment to community development, demonstrated leadership, and proactive engagement in addressing societal challenges position him as an asset in fostering positive change and capacity building within diverse communities. Email:psitsofe@uoguelph.ca LinkedIn:Paul Sitsofe
Philip Quarshie College: College of Social and Applied Human Sciences Department/School: Department of Geography, Environment, and Geomatics Position: Doctoral Student Bio: I am a project management practitioner in international development with over 14 years of practical experience in project design and implementation with a particular focus on food systems: security and sustainability, agriculture and climate change adaptation, agricultural value chains and markets competitiveness analysis, technology/innovation dissemination and adoption, rural livelihood, and social enterprise development. I helped build private sector firms through educating/sensitizing sessions, notably agro-processing companies, seeds companies, and agro-dealers in Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Ethiopia. I have also been involved in Policy framework design and negotiation, farmer literacy and pedagogies design. I have strong leadership and interpersonal skills, building solid relationships with international donors with a successful history of securing and managing grant portfolios to over US$3.5M. I work with Plan International Canada, as an Advisor for Economic Empowerment and Climate Resilience. I also lead a team of experts at Global Agri-Business Solutions INC, a consulting firm providing unparalleled place-based advisory services in agriculture and agribusiness. My career objective is to play an active role in the global development agenda, leading to an increase in global food security, sustainable food systems, climate change adaptation, rural livelihood improvement, poverty reduction, private sector development, and promoting women and youth empowerment. Email: pquarshi@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Google Scholar Profile,
ORCID Profile,
LinkedIn Profile Twitter(X):@ModernAgri_Tips
Rana Telfah Position: Doctoral Student Bio: I am Rana Telfah, a PhD candidate in rural studies at the University of Guelph. My research explores the early settlement experiences of Syrian families in southwestern Ontario. I employ semi-structured interviews with Syrian families who settled in different-sized communities. My research extends to gender analysis in the context of settlement and integration. My academic journey includes an M.A. in program evaluation, and I have gained valuable experience working on several research projects focusing on the experiences of newcomers in rural communities. I have shared my research findings on several platforms, including “The Housing Experience of Syrian Families in Southwestern Ontario” at the Online Panel on Housing and Immigration in Small and Rural Communities in 2021. I also presented “A Gender Lens on the Settlement and Integration of Syrian Refugees in Rural Ontario” at The Rural Symposium in 2017, held at the Conference Centre, Guelph. Outputs: Presentation “The housing experience of Syrian families in Southwestern Ontario.” Online Panel on housing and immigration in small and rural communities on Nov. 7-8th, 2021. Watch here Websites:LinkedIn Profile Email:rtelfah@uoguelph.ca
Rhiannon James College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Sciences Position: Master Student Bio: I am a master student studying in the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Sciences. My research looks to better understand how agricultural tile drainage may be interacting with groundwater features and the reverse, how groundwater distribution and quality may affect tile drain efficacy. Coming from a small town in Eastern Ontario and growing up on a well, I appreciate the importance of understanding how agricultural and rural practices can be practiced still ensuring sustainable resource management. Email: rjames@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Linkedin Twitter(X): @RhiGetsanMSc
Solomon Okajare College: College of Arts Department/School: Department of History Position: Doctoral Student Bio: My name is Okajare Solomon Tai. I am a Nigerian. I am pursuing a PhD in History and International Development in the Tri-U program. My proposed topic of research interest is “Environment Governance, Social Changes and Rural Development: The Land-Conflict-Food Security Nexus in Southwestern Nigeria, 1960-2020”. My plan for the future is to explore environmental governance, emerging social changes, and rural development as critical factors for understanding the nexus of land ownership/use conflict and the challenges of food security in Nigeria. Of course, climate change and sundry elements of the environment will resonate boldly in the discourse. Email:sokajare@uoguelph.ca Website(s):LinkedIn Profile
Takudzwanashe (Taku) Mundenga College: Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: School of Environmental Design and Rural Development Position: Master Student Bio: Taku Mundenga is a dedicated specialist in International Development who recently completed his Master of Science in Capacity Development and Extension. Originally from Zimbabwe, Taku has a strong journalism background and is passionate about effectively communicating climate science and driving policies that promote adaptation, mitigation, and sustainable food systems. He is an NSERC-funded fellow in CREATE Climate Smart-Soils. His research examined media as a stakeholder in soil health-related climate change mitigation. He has gained valuable experience through internships with Conduitao and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank – working on nature-positive solutions for climate change adaptation programs in Africa. Taku actively shares his expertise by contributing op-eds to various media outlets on soil health and sustainable agriculture’s role in climate change mitigation. He also participates in the 2023-2024 Rural Changemakers Program organized by the Rural Ontario Institute. Email:tmundeng@uoguelph.ca Website(s):LinkedIn Profile, Twitter Profile, Newsday Author Page
Taylor Marie Graham (she/her) College: College of Arts Department/School: School of English and Theatre Studies Position: Doctoral Student Bio: Taylor Marie Graham is an award-winning playwright, librettist, director, theatre scholar, and educator who resides in Cambridge, Ontario / Haldimand Tract. Her doctoral dissertation is a decolonial and historical analysis of the Blyth Festival Theatre, which has been in operation since 1975 in the rural community of Blyth, Ontario. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing, is a PhD Candidate in theatre at the University of Guelph, and works as a sessional theatre professor at universities in Southwestern Ontario. Taylor’s articles can be found in Canadian Theatre Review, Intermission Magazine, Routledge’s Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance, and Canadian Literature. Critics describe her plays and operas as “arresting and funny,” “uncommonly cool,” “charmingly twisted,” “powerful and courageous,” “meaningful for all ages,” “darkly evocative,” “psychological, theological, and ornithological,” “as moving as it is scary,” and “profoundly beautifully crafted.” Email:tgraha03@uoguelph.ca Website(s):Canadian Theatre Review Article, Intermission Magazine Article, Canadian Literature Article, Routledge’s Journal of Applied Theatre and Performance Article Twitter:@taylormarie_g
Tehzeeb Bano College: College of Social and Applied Human Sciences Department/School: Collaborative International Development Studies Position: Doctoral Student Bio: I belong to an indigenous (Balti) community in Pakistan which is in the extreme North of Pakistan called Gilgit Baltistan, situated in the trans-Himalayan region. Belonging to the rural mountainous community, I have always been observing the indigenous environmental practices of my people since my childhood. The use of indigenous knowledge has been seen by many people as a viable approach to promoting sustainable development in impoverished rural communities around the world. I have been carrying out fieldwork to understand the indigenous practices of the rural mountainous communities in Baltistan which is also called little Tibet. My increasing interest has compelled me to volunteer in the community and investigate it further by engaging myself with them to understand more. The indigenous practices in Baltistan include growing glaciers, glacier marriages, and grafting of glaciers, etc. which I am exploring in my Ph.D., as currently I am enrolled in the University of Guelph in Canada pursuing my Ph.D. degree. research. During my masters in Pakistan, I carried out my thesis on glacier grafting with the title “Glacier Grafting: An indigenous practice to reduce the climate-induced food Insecurity in the Himalayan and Karakorum Ranges of Pakistan”. One of my major findings was that glacier grafting remains an effective technique of adaptation to climate-induced water scarcity in the region. This locally oriented technique of glacier growing remains crucial for sustained water supply during dry seasons, which further can resist ongoing climate change and water scarcity. My findings were in line with the findings of (Tveiten, 2007) that glacier grafting or growth of ice patches at high altitude catchments remains as the only way of water provision during summer. This practice is particularly taking place in areas where water availability is not sufficient for agriculture and where the glaciers are in retreat, thus this strategy is considered a sustainable indigenous approach to secure water availability and it needs to be explored further. Email:banot@uoguelph.ca ResearchGate:Tehzeeb Bano’s ResearchGate
Uduak Edet College:Ontario Agricultural College Department/School: Rural Studies Position:Doctoral Student Bio: Uduak holds a Master’s degree in International Business & Management from the University of Bradford, UK, and an MSc in Capacity Development & Extension with collaborative specialization in International Development from the University of Guelph, Canada. Currently, she is working towards a Ph.D. in Rural Studies at the same institution.
Her research interests focus on interdisciplinary approaches that reduce the impact and improve resilience to climate change, including issues related to the adoption of digital agricultural tools in rural communities, information disorder in the agri-food sector, and climate smart investments. Her recent MSc research focused on the influence of climate change misinformation on the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, contributing to this emerging area in agricultural and rural development.
Uduak’s Ph.D. research further explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) tools, particularly large language models, in disseminating accurate information on climate-smart agricultural practices. The study also examines the potential ethical concerns and misinformation associated with the use of AI in agricultural advisory services. With over ten years of industry experience in sales and marketing, agricultural lending, research, client relationship management, and business development, Uduak brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her academic pursuits. Additionally, she enjoys engaging in volunteer work. Email:uedet@uoguelph.ca LinkedIn:Uduak Edet’s LinkedIn Twitter:@kuudit
Yuxin Hu College: Ontario Agricultural College Department: Department of Food Science Position: Masters Student Bio: My name is Yuxin, a student researcher at the University of Guelph. My research focuses on genomic-based epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in domesticated and wild animal populations. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment will also be assessed. Email:yhu26@uoguelph.ca Website(s):OHAPCREATE Trainees, CRIFS, LinkedIn Profile
