RRU Professor Receives $500,000 Canada Research Chair Funding

April 01, 2010

Victoria - Research funding announced by the federal government for 44 Canadian universities includes a $500,000 grant for Dr. Ann Dale of Royal Roads University from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

Professor Dale, RRU's Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Community Development, received a five-year renewal of funding for her research, which explores new models for governance and understanding issues that affect the long-term health and viability of communities.

"Canadian communities face formidable challenges as they respond to the imperatives of sustainable development, not the least of which is climate change," said Dale. "They are looking for ways to develop sustainable communities that harmonize all aspects of civic life without undermining the environment or the economy."

Dale and her research team are stimulating the creation of online spaces for communities to interact with each other and with researchers on the ecological, social, and economic issues that face them.

"The hope is that we can speed the diffusion of knowledge by bringing some of the best minds in the country together, thus building on the rich intellectual and social capital that exists across the country," said Dale.

Dale said she believes her work will lead to the development of new tools for community-based decision-making and novel ways of research dissemination, building upon her work leading real time e-Dialogues. She and her team are also experimenting with on-line engagement strategies such as research salons and the use of new media to support the lifelong learning of communities across Canada.

"Dr. Dale's Research Chair in Sustainable Community Development has been invaluable in advancing applied interdisciplinary research," said Mary Bernard, associate vice-president of research at Royal Roads University. "The renewal of her research funding means more innovative research will take place that will forge links among sustainable development, learning and technology in ways that richly involve graduate students, communities, and other partners."

Professor Dale has spent more than 30 years investigating the complexities of sustainable development. The next phase of her research will be exploring the strategic public policy dimensions of her previous work, including researching a new measure for sustainable community development, "community vitality," which aims to gauge innovation, community resilience to challenging circumstances, and anticipatory government (the capacity to anticipate trends and act strategically).

Dale's $500,000, five-year research funding is part of $165.5 million in newly awarded or renewed Canada Research Chairs announced by Industry Canada.

Royal Roads University was established by the Province of British Columbia in 1995 specifically to deliver quality applied and professional programs to advance professionals in the workplace. The university blends online and on-campus learning with current, real-world relevance for graduate and undergraduate programs as well as certificates, diplomas, and executive and custom education.

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