Dr. Wayne Kelly is returning to lead the Rural Development Institute (RDI) at Brandon University as the new Interim Director of the research centre, which is a leading source of information on issues affecting rural communities in Western Canada and beyond.
Dr. Kelly has worked in innovative rural development research roles as Research Manager in private sector R&D and for 11 years as a Project Coordinator and Researcher at RDI itself. In those roles, Dr. Kelly has extensive experience developing, leading, and coordinating rural and community development projects with teams of highly qualified personnel, community advisors and partners.
“I’m very excited to lead RDI in the institute’s next phase at Brandon University; this is a critical time for rural areas, and we can continue to collect and share essential knowledge,” Dr. Kelly said. “I am keen to contribute to our understanding and support to rural communities, regions and people as they navigate the impacts and new realities of COVID-19, population change, digitalization and more.”
Brandon University established the Rural Development Institute (RDI) in 1989 as an academic research center and a leading source of information on issues affecting rural communities in Western Canada and beyond.
RDI establishes new partnerships; conducts multi-disciplinary research; promotes the development of new community projects; shares findings, and nurtures new generations of rural researchers among students, community members and rural stakeholders.
RDI has diverse research affiliations, and multiple community and government linkages related to its rural development mandate. RDI disseminates knowledge and information to a variety of constituents and stakeholders and makes research information and results widely available to the public either in printed form or by means of public lectures, seminars, workshops, conferences, webinars, and social media.