University of Guelph hosted OJS journals
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Place Narratives that Energize: Using Persuasive Storytelling to Develop a Multifunctional Toolkit for Northern Ontario’s Small-Town Plans and Reposition Planners as Market Stimulators in Sustainable Community Economic Development and Blended Financing
No full textI am a Doctor of Design candidate at the University of Calgary’s School of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape and the Division Leader for Community Planning at the Municipality of Lakeshore. My research explores improving small-town planning in Northern Ontario. Small towns in this region struggle with economic growth, investment, and community vitality, especially compared to the southern region. Traditional planning, focused on regulatory compliance, lacks adaptability and fails to foster long-term prosperity. This research argues that the profession must shift from market regulation to market stimulation, empowering planners to be catalysts for place-based economic development driving community prosperity by focusing on existing natural and cultural capital of place. A core issue is the rigidity of town plans, which function as static documents rather than dynamic governance tools. Public trust in planning is eroding, particularly in rural areas, where plans often fail to address economic realities. This study redefines planning as a multifunctional process to enhance desirability, viability, and economic resilience. The central research question is: How can town plans become persuasive place-storytelling tools that drive economic development while minimizing bureaucracy, and inaccessible or complicated engagement? Through key informant design methodology research process, this study aims to introduce a planning toolkit designed to “shift the product from the plan to the place”. It aims to incorporate blended financing, place-branding, regional economic integration, and municipal finance strategies to make planning more adaptable and market-driven. By integrating these elements, the research aims to equip planners to transform small-town planning from a passive regulatory function into an active force for economic renewal in Northern Ontario and beyond
Intergenerational Family Stories of Mobile Labor: Initial Findings From Families of Mobile Oil Workers in PEI and Cape Breton
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LINCZ: A Canada-Zimbabwe Case Study of Nature Based Solutions to Rural Climate Adaptation
No full textThis presentation explores psychosocial insights from the LINCZ Project (Locally-Led Indigenous Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Change Adaptation in Zimbabwe), focusing on how climate-affected communities are adapting to deepening ecological challenges. Based on qualitative analysis of interviews from Binga, Gwanda, and Mwenezi, this study applies thematic analysis and psychological constructs such as Sense of Coherence and Integrative Complexity to examine lived experiences of drought, food insecurity, gendered burden, cultural erosion, and psychosocial distress. Findings reveal that climate impacts in Zimbabwe—like hunger, early marriage, migration, and loss of traditional practices—are not merely environmental events but crises that affect identity, mental health, and social cohesion. Gender dynamics are shifting as women shoulder increasing caregiving burdens while men confront challenges to traditional provider roles. Despite these strains, communities exhibit resilience through practices like conservation agriculture, communal resource pooling, and cultural adaptation.
Importantly, the study foregrounds commensality—shared food practices—as a critical but overlooked facet of climate adaptation. Interview data suggest that disruptions to communal eating weaken social glue, eroding traditions of care and reciprocity vital to resilience and peacebuilding. The presentation argues that climate adaptation must integrate psychosocial and cultural dimensions, including the role of shared meals in sustaining dignity and collective wellbeing. Reflecting on parallel experiences in Nigeria\u27s flood-affected Niger Delta, the presentation emphasizes that across geographies, climate challenges are also emotional and cultural struggles—reminding us that meaningful adaptation begins by listening, empathizing, and building bridges rooted in dignity, identity, and hope
WELL-E: A Living Lab of Responsible Digitalization in the Canadian Dairy Industry
No full textEvolving theoretical frameworks of responsible and inclusive innovation argue that systems change must properly address real-world stakeholder needs and create positive impacts for society and the environment. These principles lie at the heart and mission of the Research and Innovation Chair in Animal Welfare and Artificial Intelligence (WELL-E), currently running at two locations: a university teaching farm and a vocational training farm of incarcerated persons. Our team works to integrate intentionally both stakeholder and domain expert knowledge with cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) methods and technological tools for the improvement of animal (and human) welfare. We have been working directly with farm staff and management to co-develop and pilot new practices for animal housing and management, as well as to test cutting-edge technologies and practices for the deployment of responsible AI tools on farms, embracing F.A.I.R. principles and empowering end users to be at the forefront of these innovations. Our collaborative approach promotes responsible and inclusive innovation through the integration of new technologies into the dairy industry and empowers producers and workers to be at the forefront of positive welfare developments, ensuring their sustainability and reinforcing the importance of stakeholder participation in innovative scientific research
Transformative Water Resources Governance in Wetland Ecosystems: A Systematic Review
No full textWater scarcity the condition in which the available water resources are insufficient to meet demand poses a particularly acute challenge. This shortage not only threatens the sustainability of local ecosystems but also has profound socio-economic impacts. Rain-fed agricultural communities, especially those situated near watersheds and wetlands, are among the most vulnerable. For these populations, limited access to water results in reduced agricultural productivity, escalating poverty levels, food insecurity, and in some cases, forced migration. Consequently, achieving sustainable agriculture and improving overall quality of life in these regions is intrinsically tied to the availability and management of water resources. Despite increasing recognition of these issues, efforts to protect water resources and manage wetlands often fall short of achieving true socio-ecological sustainability. A central challenge lies in the complexities of governance defined not merely as top-down policy-making, but as a dynamic, multi-level, and multidisciplinary process involving diverse actors and knowledge systems. Transformative governance, a concept gaining traction in climate adaptation and disaster resilience literature, seeks to enable fundamental, system-wide change in how natural resources are managed. However, translating this into practice remains difficult due to institutional inertia, conflicting interests, and limited community engagement. This study presents a comprehensive review of scholarly literature on transformative water governance, with a particular focus on wetland ecosystems. By analysing bibliographic trends, geographical distribution, and thematic evolution over time, the research seeks to understand how scientific and policy communities have approached governance in these fragile environments. The findings aim to illuminate opportunities and constraints for implementing more adaptive, inclusive, and sustainable water governance frameworks
Adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by Farmers to Promote Sustainable Agriculture in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh
No full textICT can transform agriculture in Bangladesh by enhancing productivity, market access, and resource use. However, many farmers in rural areas like the Chittagong Hill Tracts face challenges with digital access and skills. Strategic ICT adoption can improve farming practices, support informed decision-making, and foster community collaboration, promoting sustainable agricultural development. The main objective of the study is to assess the level of ICT adoption and its role in supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Specifically, it aims to (i). identify key ICT tools used by farmers, (ii). explore their application across agricultural domains, and (iii). analyze how socio-economic factors influence ICT adoption. Research in Rangamati, Khagrachari, and Bandarban surveyed 150 ICT-using farmers, finding they mainly use mobile phones, internet, and apps like Krishi Apps, with support from Union Development Centers and Farmer Help Lines. Findings indicate that 82.64% of farmers exhibit medium-to-high ICT usage, yet 75.39% still show medium-to-low engagement, highlighting improvement opportunities. Key factors influencing ICT adoption include education, ICT literacy, device ownership, and communication exposure, while age, family size, and training experience have minimal impact. The study identifies poor infrastructure, limited policy support, and low digital skills as major challenges. It recommends context-specific ICT adoption through infrastructure upgrades, training, collaboration, localized solutions, and ongoing evaluation to promote sustainable agricultural development
AI, Audio, and Agriulture: Cross-Border Podcasting as a Tool for Digital Pedagogy and Sustainability Communication
No full textAs digital platforms reshape agri-food systems, podcasts offer an accessible way to share sustainability solutions globally. In agricultural and natural resource education, podcasting aligns with project-based learning, allowing students to develop communication skills through content creation. Guided by the dialogic communication model and a project-based learning framework, this study explores how international digital collaborations can enrich agricultural and natural resource communication education.
This qualitative case study examined the experiences of students, instructors, and Canadian agricultural and natural resource experts during a U.S.-based podcasting course that produced a podcast series on sustainability. Research questions addressed attitudes toward AI use in podcast production and experiences collaborating to produce the podcast.
Data sources included instructor reflections, student podcasts, and collaborator surveys. Thematic analysis identified key insights in instructional design, intercultural communication, and knowledge exchange.
Findings showed that digital dialogue and international collaboration supported global thinking and knowledge mobilization. Themes related to AI use included the value of intercultural dialogue, interconnectedness of agricultural and natural resource systems, and innovations in sustainability. Themes related to collaboration highlighted appreciation for real-world communication opportunities, though logistical challenges were noted.
This study highlights podcasting as a tool for enhancing science communication and advisory services. Future courses should integrate AI tools for editing and dissemination while addressing ethical concerns around voice representation and misinformation. Further research should explore student autonomy and the evolving role of AI in educational content productio
Braiding Food Systems: Co-Constructing Indigenous Seed Systems in Northern Ontario for Food Sovereignty, Security and Climate Adaptation
No full textIndigenous communities in the Northern Great Lakes Region of Ontario have diverse food systems with distinct practices and knowledge connected to the land. Traditional food systems in this region are often reduced to hunting, fishing, and gathering activities, but they have also involved planting, growing, maintaining, and harvesting for thousands of years. Climate change and mutually reinforcing processes of settler colonialism, systemic marginalization, and land dispossession limit the capacity and presence of food growing in Northern Ontario First Nations and impact access to and availability of traditional foods, presenting a major barrier to addressing food insecurity. Responding to calls from Indigenous leaders to support food growing strategies that complement existing food systems, the Braiding Food Systems (BFS) project is a three year collaboration between Red Rock Indian Band, Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg, Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek, Mamaweswen - The North Shore Tribal Council, and the Ontario Agri-Food Innovation Alliance. The project collaborates with First Nations to co-develop and re-localize seed systems in Northern Ontario and to enhance food security and food sovereignty. This presentation will highlight the research and knowledge mobilization activities, progress, and outcomes from year two of the BFS project. We will outline how we continue to build trust and relationships with partners, and reflect on what we have learned in gardening - Citizen Science, engagement with community schools and research activities. We will also overview our collaborative knowledge mobilization process and recent activities and outputs: community profiles, food fairs, garden knowledge sharing, toolkits, infographics, and curriculum development. We will conclude with considerations for year three and share opportunities and key takeaways to strengthen future community engaged research with Indigenous communities
Providing Provisions in Uncertain Times: Benefits and Challenges of Partnerships Developing and Facilitating Recreation and Leisure Services for Rural Low-income Families During the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textMunicipal parks and recreation departments across Canada were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as many were forced to suspend all programming and access to public spaces and services. Municipal recreation providers had to re-evaluate and adapt to meet community needs, especially those citizens marginalized from community recreation experiences, such as rural low-income mothers. These mothers were disadvantaged due to interconnected and compounding factors such as gender, race, and income, in addition to a lack of personal leisure resources, which was intensified by the closure of public leisure spaces. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Kentville Parks and Recreation Department (TOKPRD) partnered with community-basednot-for-profit organizations to develop and facilitate recreation and leisure services for rural low-income mothers and their families. This poster presentation aims to share the findings from focus groups conducted with the TOKPRD and two other community-based, not-for-profit organizations to examine the benefits and challenges of collaboration in developing and facilitating recreation and leisure services for rural, low-income mothers and their families. These findings highlight the benefits and challenges of partnerships between the municipality and community organizations and the impact on the community as a result of such collaboration and partnership