Current Projects

Addressing the Issue of Under-Utilized Commercial Real Estate in Rural Alberta

Rural communities across Alberta often struggle with empty storefronts and under-utilized commercial buildings.  This study explores how communities address under-utilized spaces in rural Alberta. 

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Healthcare Experiences and Needs of Women in Rural Alberta

Women living in rural and northern Alberta face unique challenges accessing healthcare.  This study aims to amplify these voices, to understand these experience and to explore to what extent healthcare meets their needs.

Mental Health in the Agricultural Community

The ACSRC is a research partner with Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, PhD., the founder and lead researcher of AgWellAB. AgWellAB is a research and outreach program supporting mental health in the agricultural community in Alberta. 

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Food Sustainability Lecture & Film Series

Funded by the Sustainable Food Endowment and in partnership with the Food Artisans of Camrose County, this project explores issues directly related to food sustainability, especially as they relate to broader issues relevant to rural sustainability.

Exploring Rural Development Opportunities in Dark Sky Preserves

The ACSRC, in collaboration with Glen Hvenegaard PhD (U of A, Augustana) is researching the economic development potential associated with Dark Sky tourism for rural Alberta Communities. This work has been featured in Nature Alberta and the Jasper FitzHUGH.

Political Ethnography and Political Opinion in Rural Alberta

In partnership with Dr. Dionne Pohler (University of Saskatchewan) and funded by SSHRC, the ACSRC is utilizing "political ethnography" to better understand political opinion formation in rural Canada.

Pathways to Energy Democracy in Canada

The ACSRC is collaborating with the Department of Resource Economics & Environmental Sociology (University of Alberta) on a new project exploring community-based renewable energy.