Gateway Welcomes New Research Chair Heather Mair and Officialize Partnership with G2G Rail Trail

Gateway Director Jay McFarlan officially presenting Professor Heather Mair as the new Research Chair for Gateway. (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Smith/Goderich Signal Star)

On Thursday, January 25th, Heather Mair, a University of Waterloo professor in the Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies was appointed as a Research Chair at the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health. Heather has been given the title of Chair of Rural Community Development and Well-Being. Mair grew up in Rural New Brunswick and has a PhD in Rural Development. The majority of Heather Mair’s research and work has been in community development and the role that recreation, sport and leisure play in community involvement. She specifically likes to focus on and illustrate the social importance of these activities, which is especially evident within small towns and rural in communities. In filling this position, Heather Mair is looking forward to working within the community and helping to address some of the unique difficulties and issues of rural life through upcoming projects and potential research opportunities. 

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Director, Gateway, Jay McFarlan with Chris Lee Vice Chair of G2G Rail Trail, signing a Memorandum of Understanding. (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Smith/Goderich Signal Star)

Additionally, a new partnership was made official at last week’s meeting between the Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health, and the G2G Rail Trail organization with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. This document forms the first step in an active, and ongoing relationship built on the common interests of the two organizations to strengthen connections between communities, bring value to rural communities, and improve the quality of life and overall health of those living in rural Ontario. The documentation of these shared interests as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, provides a concrete prospect for future policy development, possible research opportunities and overall growth.
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Click here to read the full article from the Goderich Signal Star on Gateway's New Research Chair

Click here to read the full article from the Goodrich Signal Star on Gateway's New Partnership with the G2G Rail Trail

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