The Rural Development Institute is an academic research center that was established in 1989 by Brandon University. It focuses on issues affecting rural communities in Western Canada and elsewhere. The Institute provides an interface between academic research efforts and the community by acting as a conduit of rural research information and by facilitating community involvement in rural development. RDI has diverse research affiliations, and multiple community and government linkages related to its rural development mandate. RDI is located in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.
History
RDI was created in 1989. In 1999, WESTARC was integrated with the Rural Development Institute. WESTARC has served for almost two decades as a nonprofit consulting group that has concerned itself with the applied research, training and economic development needs of communities and organizations in western Canada. WESTARC has provided project management, research, training and consultancy services to meet the needs of communities, businesses and organizations.
The role of the RDI Advisory Committee is to provide general advice and direction to the Institute on matters of rural concern. On a semi-annual basis the Committee meets to share information about issues of mutual interest in rural Manitoba and foster linkages with the constituencies they represent. Members of the Advisory Committee include: Dr. Scott Grills, Mona Cornock, Larry Flynn , Monika Franz-Lien, Reg Helwer, Ben Maendel, Jonathon Maendel, Darell Pack, W.J. Pugh, Dr. Fran Racher, Dr. Doug Ramsey , Frank Thomas, Larry Wark, Dr. Dion Wiseman, Dr.Robert Annis.
Research domains
RDI responds to rural challenges and opportunities by focusing on a comprehensive range of research topics, including:
In June 2009, William Ashton was named the new Director of RDI, replacing Dr. Robert C. Annis. RDI researchers include: Robert Annis, Marian Beattie, Kenneth Beesley, Kenneth Bessant, Jill Bucklaschuk, Susannah Cameron, Wayne Dibgy, John Everitt, Barbara Gfellner, Ryan Gibson, Diane Martz, Alison Moss, Beth Peers, Fran Racher, Doug Ramsey, Karen Rempel, and Ray Silvius.
Linkages
RDI has linkages with major research and research institutions with rural interests, such as:
