The ARDN is directly involved in rural research. Through its post-secondary members, ARDN facilitates the establishment and implementation of rural development projects.Below is a list of projects to which ARDN has contributed. If you are interested in any of these projects and want more information please contact Research Director Paul Watson.

Athabasca University

Alberta-North Community Access Point Certification Program
By understanding how the Community Access Point Program effects the post-secondary education and quality of life of rural communities of the North, Alberta North will be able to expand support to northern residents, building capacity and success in post-secondary education and training in communities.

Bow Valley College

Employer Engagement in Adult Education in Rural Alberta and Smaller Communities within Bow Valley College Region
ARDN funding for this project will help to increase the potential for industry and employers in smaller communities and to increase access to post-secondary education in rural Alberta.

Evaluation of Community Futures Rural Economics Development Programs
The evaluation will provide information about the best way to structure economic development projects, identify best practices and iconic projects that will inspire rural communities, provide ideas on how to build capacity in rural Alberta, and ultimately provide critical information on what funding agencies best fit rural needs.

In Support of Expanding Educational Access Via E-learning to Rural Aboriginal Communities
This initiative will help to address the knowledge gap specifically related to the learning needs of adult learners, and will provide an enhanced lens through which to better understand how residing within a community located outside of the “mainstream” has significant implications for how adult education programs are designed delivered and sustained.

COMPLETED - The Coordination Challenge: Multiple Urban Post-Secondary Institutions Addressing Regional and Rural Issues
ARDN support of this project enables research to identify the best strategies and models for collaboration. This project focuses on institutions within Calgary and Edmonton regions with respect to assessment and delivery of services in rural areas and smaller communities.

Lakeland College

21st Century Leader: Transitioning Knowledge, Wisdom, and Experience to the Next Generation
This investment will help develop a survey for Alberta’s rural post-secondary presidents to draw out their leadership insights and share that information with other institutions.
> View Developing New Leaders Article

Medicine Hat College

Video Production of Best Water use Practices
Four short videos will be created based on best water practices from agriculture, municipalities, individual residences, and industry with the purpose of informing and engaging residents and other stakeholders on water issues and best practises. It will also incorporate local research for rural education awareness. 

Mount Royal University

Determining Needs of Southern Alberta Rural Communities for Improved Sexual Assault Services
Through this project, victims of sexual assault in rural areas will receive improved access to comprehensive services and multidisciplinary collaboration both locally and between rural and urban centres. It will directly inform the development of educational resources and real time support networks for rural communities.

Finding Sustainable Solutions to Impacts of Economic Activities in Some Rural Alberta Communities – Phase 1 Needs Assessment
This project will help individual communities re-examine their socioeconomic and environmental policies and the operations of their social services. It will also contribute to sustainable development initiatives in various rural communities while fostering recycling practices and promoting environmental education. 

COMPLETED -  Revitalization of Rural Alberta Businesses: Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Program
ARDN’s funding will help create a community-based economic strategy with a focus on nurturing and supporting businesses already in the community. This project is in the form of a two day workshop which includes sessions that provide individual assistance and training that will have positive long term effects on rural Alberta.
> View the Report

NAIT

Validity of Computer-Based Multiple Mini-Interviews
The validation of multiple mini-interviews as a way to gain entrance to Alberta’s post-secondary institutions will allow rural partners and post-secondary institutions a framework to develop their distance delivery/remote recruitment infrastructures. It will, therefore, increase access to education for students from rural communities.
> View the Report

NorQuest College

Building Workforce Capacity on Rural Alberta Communities through Adult Preparatory Development
ARDN support will help provide data to support the opportunity to build capacity for workforce development in rural communities through General Education Diploma preparation for rural students. It will look at the usefulness of this equivalency diploma in the real world of competitive employment. Also, it will provide insight to who rural learners are, what supports they require, and how we can help them be more successful while also clarifying what type of employers will accept the GED equivalency diploma.

Rural Routes Initiative Impact Study
By researching the impact of an eight year initiative to develop the capacity of rural Alberta adults learning and literacy program providers to offer English as a Second Language programming, the project will identify the capacity building requirements across ESL providers and increase accessibility to quality ESL programming in rural communities.

Workforce Development in NorQuest’s Western Region – Needs assessment and Potential Workforce Development Program Delivery Model
ARDN funding will help NorQuest enhance the development of businesses, non-profit organizations, governments, and communities within the Edson, Hinton, and Jasper regions. This project will research the need for NorQuest provided workforce development opportunities.

Northern Lakes College

Supporting Grouard’s Historical Interpretive Potential
ARDN support for this project will contribute to the construction of an interpretive centre in Grouard that will focus on the rich history of the community.

University of Alberta

Development of the Beaver Hills Initiative
This project will explore factors contributing to the development of effective collaboration in a case study of the beaver Hills Initiative (BHI), a successful eight year partnership involving government, private-sector organizations, and communitarians working towards cooperative sustainable management. It will also identify the contributions of place, social capital and social process to the formation, cohesion and long-term performance of the BHI.

Investigating Rural Senior Undergraduate Students
ARDN support contributes to this investigation of whether or not senior undergraduates intend to return to their rural communities and use their education and training to become engaged and make positive contributions.

Recovering the Past – Discovering Heritage Tourism
This project will research the dinosaur bone collection expeditions that first brought the attention of the world’s scientific community to the Boomtown Trail region. It will also convert the research into heritage tourism assets.

Understanding Seasonal Facilitators and Barriers to Unrestricted Free Play Amongst Children, Youth and Families in a Small Rural-Urban Alberta Community
The results of this project will allow researchers to identify factors that support and prevent participation in unstructured free play outdoors. By sharing these results with other municipalities, opportunities for unstructured free play should increase and help to ensure that rural Alberta communities are the best places to live, work, and raise a family.

University of Lethbridge

Ag-Industry Athletes: A Periodized Strength Training Program for Seasonal Farm Labours
ARDN support of this project will allow researchers to develop and deliver a seasonal work-specific exercise program directly to a field labour workforce and to examine the short term results. This will provide rural employers with a more stable seasonal workforce while employees will enjoy a higher quality of life due to labour-specific exercises that combat physical injuries.

An Analysis of the Experience of the Rural Registered Nurse Entering Practice
From this assessment, nurse educators and administrators in the healthcare service industry will gain meaningful knowledge of what novice nurses in rural practice require to feel confident in the care they provide. This project will also provide meaningful information for healthcare professionals outside of the nursing discipline since the challenges of practicing in a rural setting effect most disciplines.

An Assessment of the Use and Efficiency of Communications Technology in Developing and Maintaining Networks in Rural Communities
ARDN’s investment will go towards an assessment of the current state of technology in terms of its use and effectiveness in the development and maintenance of networks serving as resources for rural communities.

Supporting Early Literacy Activities – A Community Approach
ARDN support assists this project, which will pilot and implement early literacy strategies, supporting parents and daycare/playschool centres in immersing young children into literature rich environments.