The Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities (ACSRC) at the University of Alberta has, since its founding in 2009, assisted rural communities in meeting diverse challenges across many areas of public policy through fostering constructive dialogue, promoting interdisciplinary and collaborative research, and developing partnerships. Thinking respectfully and reciprocally with, not just for,
rural communities is a main objective of the ACSRC. Through dialogue and collaboration, the Centre operates an outreach program that provides direction and stimulates innovation in the development of rural communities. This is built around various collaborations with educational institutions, municipalities and not-for profit organizations on research projects that seek to create resilient rural communities across Alberta. Over the past thirteen years, the ACSRC has received roughly $3 million in direct funding from a wide assortment of academic and government sources; developed partnerships with over 140 community organizations, post-secondary institutions, rural municipalities, and research centres, and has employed over 150 research staff. Recently, we have been engaged in rural-focussed projects related to sustainable economic development opportunities, community mental health, the delivery of social services, enhancing inclusivity, advancing the transition to renewable energy, aiding municipal collaboration, and better understanding rural public opinion and rural-based populism.
