Building Momentum for Rural Research: Celebrating a Successful Symposium

The University of Guelph hosted the 12th annual Rural Research Symposium on April 1st, bringing together students, faculty, community practitioners, government, and non-governmental organizations to share research on emerging rural themes. The event featured a series of insightful presentations, posters, and networking opportunities, with the goal of fostering collaboration and innovation in rural research.

Presenters highlighted several critical themes, including sustainability, agriculture, rural peoples, education, technology, economic development, and Indigenous peoples. These topics sparked engaging conversations among attendees, emphasizing the importance of addressing these challenges to improve the quality of life in rural areas.

Research initiatives shared include Sage Milne’s, Is this the New Normal? Exploring Emergency Department Closures in Ontario; Natalia Teresa Berti, Muireann Heuchan, and Margarita Fontecha’s, The Cultural and Ecological Connections of Manoomin (Wild Rice) Through a Relational One Health Lens: A Scoping Review.

All posters and presentations presented at the event can be accessed online through the Rural Repository.

The University of Guelph is proud to have facilitated such a meaningful exchange of knowledge and looks forward to continuing its support for rural research initiatives. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the success of this symposium. We look forward to seeing everyone next year!