Fostering Innovation through Academic- Community Partnerships Yolande Chan, E. Marie Shantz Professor, Queen s University Jeff Dixon, Associate Director, The Monieson Centre
Agenda Overview of Partnerships and Projects Lessons Learned Co-creation of Research Priorities The Benefits of Research Partnerships Partnership Challenges Community Impacts Questions
OVERVIEW OF PARTNERSHIPS & PROJECTS
Research Partnerships to Revitalize Rural Economies April 2011-March 2014 $238,610 from SSHRC + $91,500 from partners Objectives: To develop new, and strengthen existing, research partnerships To conduct research on topics identified as priorities in rural communities by the Monieson Centre s network of partners and in the KIS project Leverages a growing network of over 40 community and research partners
Economic Revitalization Partnerships PELA MOU In 2007, Monieson Centre board member introduced Director and PELA CFDC Executive Director Initial discussions led to an MOU Co-hosted a casual lunch where community partner discussed research needs with faculty from across the University the first of several lunch meetings Five research projects were launched
Economic Revitalization Partnerships PELA MOU KIS Ongoing discussions led to a SSHRC-funded knowledge mobilization project: 3 years (2008-11) $300,000 2 lead partners Initiatives included: 16 Eastern Ontario Discovery Workshops 18 Knowledge syntheses 18 Business case studies 32 Student consulting projects 3 conferences An online hub & blog Involved faculty from 3 universities
Economic Revitalization Partnerships PELA MOU KIS 2007 proposal engaged: PELA CFDC ROI (formerly TORC) PELAIRD OMAFRA Fifth Town Artisan Cheese QEDC EO CFDC Network, Inc. Industry Canada/FedNor OEEDC Queen s University School of Policy Studies Rural Secretariat
Economic Revitalization Partnerships PELA MOU KIS 2008-11 project further engaged: EOWC Northumberland County RDÉE Ontario City of Kawartha Lakes ELORIN/Launch Lab Queen s Sustainable Bioeconomy Centre Communities of Eastern Ontario Network University of Guelph SEDRD U-Links FABR Queen s University SURP EDCO Haliburton County EDC Municipality of Marmora & Lake Northumberland CFDC PEC EDC CRRN StatsCan Rural Research Group Frontenac County
Economic Revitalization Partnerships PELA MOU KIS RRP (Guelph & OMAFRA) KIS interactions with OMAFRA led to a relationship with Dr. Wayne Caldwell, University of Guelph Led to a series of 8 Discovery Workshops in SW Ontario in 2009-10 Final report analyzes economic development issues and research needs for rural Southern Ontario
Economic Revitalization Partnerships PELA MOU KIS RRP (Guelph & OMAFRA) Partnered with: University of Guelph (Project Lead) TORC (now ROI) OMAFRA (Funder) Nottawasaga CFDC Chatham Kent CFDC Grand Erie Business Centre Wellington Waterloo CFDC Saugeen Economic Development Corporation Perth CFDC Orillia Area Community Development Corporation Norfolk District Business Development Corporation
Economic Revitalization Partnerships PELA MOU KIS French Translation RRP (Guelph & OMAFRA) 2010-13 French Translation of Revitalizing Rural Economies by Mobilizing Academic Knowledge Funded by SSHRC Translated KIS resources into French A response to unique needs of Eastern Ontario s Francophone communities identified in KIS project Steering committee: RDÉE Ontario PELA CFDC Northumberland County ROI
Economic Revitalization Partnerships French Translation Community- University Research Alliance PELA MOU KIS RRP (Guelph & OMAFRA) A 2008-9 LOI/project to develop new research on: Rural entrepreneurship Knowledge worker attraction & mobility Rural creative economies Rural IT infrastructure
Economic Revitalization Partnerships PELA MOU KIS French Translation RRP (Guelph & OMAFRA) Community- University Research Alliance In 2008-9 engaged new partners: Artisan Bakers Quality Alliance Queen s CHSPR CIRANO Queen s CSPC SE LHIN CAWT CEONET Harris Centre Loyalist College Martin Prosperity Institute MEDT Northern Connections Adult Learning Centres RDI
Economic Revitalization Partnerships PELA MOU KIS French Translation RRP (Guelph & OMAFRA) Research Partnerships Partnership network has grown to over 40 partners In 2011, launched a 3-year SSHRC-funded research project 14 studies over 3 years Rural entrepreneurship & business Innovation & sustainability Involves researchers from 5 academic institutions
Economic Revitalization Partnerships PELA MOU KIS French Translation RRP (Guelph & OMAFRA) Research Partnerships Further expanded the partnership network: City of Kawartha Lakes OA CFDCs The Venture Centre Concordia Rural Research Group University of Waterloo SEED Two Rivers Community Development Centre
Economic Revitalization Partnerships French Translation Research Partnerships PELA MOU KIS RRP (Guelph & OMAFRA) Impact of Knowledge Mobilization (Rural Secretariat) K Mobilization Discovery Workshops/surveys funded by the Rural Secretariat Steering Committee: Northumberland County, PELA CFDC, and RDÉE Ontario.
Economic Revitalization Partnerships French Translation Research Partnerships PELA MOU KIS RRP (Guelph & OMAFRA) Impact of Knowledge Mobilization (Rural Secretariat) New workshop hosts: 1000 Islands WDB Frontenac County SWEA Town of New Tecumseth Mount Forest Family Health Team Chatham-Kent LIP SCOR
Economic Revitalization Partnerships French Translation Research Partnerships PELA MOU KIS Impact of Knowledge Mobilization (Rural Secretariat) RRP (Guelph & OMAFRA) Economic Revitalization (OMAFRA)
Economic Revitalization Partnerships Broadband Impact Assessment Methodology (MGS) Evaluating the Economic & Social Impacts of Rural Broadband (EOWC, EORN, OMAFRA) New partners engaged: Ontario Ministries: MGS MNDMF EORN
Community Projects 1. Decision-making and community engagement processes Funded by Northumberland CFDC 2. Renewable energy opportunities Funded by Renfrew County CFDC 3. Innovative investment models for sustainable green housing Funded by the North & Central Hastings & S. Algonquin CFDC 4. Examining the provision of for-profit services by non-profit organizations Funded by PELA CFDC 5. Knowledge-based regional economic development Funded by PELA CFDC 6. Improving the retention of knowledge workers in semi-urban settings Funded by KEDCO 7. Rural transportation models Funded by North & Central Hastings & S. Algonquin CFDC and PELA CFDC 8. Comfort Country economic development summer intern Funded by the North & Central Hastings & S. Algonquin CFDC
Economic Revitalization Events 1. Connecting the Future Rural Broadband Technology, Policy & Impact Funded by SSHRC, EORN 2. Creative Rural Economy Conference Funded by SSHRC, OEEDC, PELA CFDC, PEC, ROI and the Government of Canada 3. Fostering Entrepreneurship in the Creative Economy Conference Funded by SSHRC, PELA CFDC, OEEDC, and Tourism Kingston 4. Creative Economy Seminar Series Funded by PELA CFDC and OEEDC 5. Monieson Ideas Seminar Series Funded by PELA CFDC and Queen s OVP-R
The Impact of an Academic-Community Partnership Began with an MOU in one community Leveraged relationships to reach a regional partner base Has grown to over $2m in research-related activities
LESSONS LEARNED 1: CO-CREATION OF RESEARCH PRIORITIES
Discovery Workshops A series of workshops in communities across rural Ontario Community leaders and academics collaborate using electronic decision making technology in order to:» Identify opportunities for academic institutions to support rural communities» Prioritize Southern Ontario research priorities» Share experience and knowledge» Build lasting relationships and communication channels
Discovery Workshops 2008-2010 24 workshops across the region through the Knowledge Impact in Society (KIS) and Rural Research Priorities (RRP) projects 2011-2013 20 workshops across the region as part of the Impact of Knowledge Mobilization in Rural Economic Development project (funded by the Rural Secretariat)
Discovery Workshops 2011-2013 Eastern Ontario Workshops Bancroft Verona Renfrew Belleville Picton Napanee Montague Almonte Navan Peterborough Cobourg Kawartha Lakes Keswick Focus Workshops: Research - London Downtown Revitalization - New Tecumseth Healthcare - Fergus Immigrant Attraction - Chatham-Kent and Tillsonburg Green Economy - Haliburton Labour Markets - Gananoque
Discovery Workshops Top Research Themes Eastern Ontario 2008-2010 Eastern Ontario 2011-2013 Competitive Advantage Small Business Development Sustainable Econ Dev Skills Training/Education Econ Diversification Tourism Small Business Development Youth Retention Labour Migration & Attraction Local Data & Demographics Regional Strategies Agriculture/Local Food Best Practices University & College Partnerships Tourism Aging Population Youth Retention Regional Collaboration Skills Training/Education Innovation; Investment Attraction (Tie)
The Face of Rural Economic Development Three major themes in rural Ontario, 2008-2010: Build it Deep : Sustainable Economic Development Build it Unique : Competitive Advantage Build it Wide : Economic Diversification
The Changing Face of Rural Economic Development Entrepreneurship is the future: Small business development moves from #4 to #1 Emergence of enterprise facilitation (e.g., L&A, Hastings) Incubators, such as Prince Edward County s Innovation Centre London is developing a Business Accelerator for New Canadians to provide services and mentorship as well as subsidized shared space where possible. Brock Economic Development Committee has started a Red Welcome Wagon program for new business owners. The program welcomes businesses to the community, answers questions, and provides resources.
The Changing Face of Rural Economic Development A new skills set is needed: Rising importance of education, skills training, labour force development, investment in broadband Belleville s Pathways to Productivity program offers training workshops for local managers and manufacturers Belleville Quinte and Bayside secondary schools are developing Skills Majors programs in Manufacturing Northumberland County Council brought Learning Together elearn program to the region (ncc.learningpool.com), giving local residents access to over 4000 courses at the college and university level EORN provides a regional model for broadband investment
The Changing Face of Rural Economic Development Increasing focus on innovation: How could new technologies, partnerships with universities & colleges, and emerging industries create new economic opportunities? Haliburton Forest is working with academics at the University of Toronto s Forestry program and Trent University s Ecosystem and Design program to use sawdust to produce methane; the waste product is used as a fertilizer to foster forest growth The Innovation Cluster assists in advancing environmental, life sciences and other innovative research in Peterborough and the Kawarthas, to help promote and sustain the strong regional knowledge-based economy The Greater Peterborough Area Economic Development Corporation used community studies to identify, define, build and start to market 5 emerging industries of focus Community Futures Development Corporation in Northumberland lunched the Scientists and Engineers in Business Program
The Changing Face of Rural Economic Development Demographic challenges: The region continues to face challenges of an aging population and youth out-migration Belleville is developing a Turning Junk to Funk program, whereby youth learn five key business skills Northumberland s Scientists and Engineers in Business Program targets recent graduates and seeks entrepreneurs who have a product they would like to commercialize Wilmont Township Active Living Centre for Seniors and Youth was developed as part of renovations to the Wilmont Recreation Complex Young Professionals of Chatham-Kent Networking Group developed a Boards aren t Boring event to educate youth Almonte Rideau roundtable runs voyageur canoe programs for youth to teach them about heritage and history
LESSONS LEARNED: BENEFITS OF RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS
Partnership Benefits Community Access to professors and students Access to theory, information and resources Unbiased, third party assessments Increased organization/issue visibility Case studies, conferences, media Multi-level participation in research Steering committees, study designers, data providers, collaborators, researchers, users/distributors of findings Networking opportunities Economic and social benefits Policy impacts
Partnership Benefits Cont d Academic Meaningful, high impact research of local, national and international importance Interdisciplinary, team research Non-academic partners Co-creation of research ideas and proposals New research sites and data Increased feedback on and use of findings Co-creation of papers and presentations Teaching materials, student projects and jobs Increased funding (granting agency, govt support) Increased citizen/media engagement
The Value of Research I think it s contributed to it because it adds that gravitas to what we are doing here. The fact that you have respected institutions like The Monieson Centre actually paying attention to things that are significant to us and also looking at those things in other rural communities and also giving us access to academic research that we can look at and see how that applies to us. That has been beneficial."
Independent Review Having independent academic reviews, papers, and studies done is an important part of building understanding of rural challenges. It s difficult in the world when all you do is complain. People assume you are complaining out of self interest. When you have an independent review that is saying the same thing it certainly gives credence and support to the arguments you are making.
Breaking Down Silos Up until this project, it was silo driven: the community was in a silo, the academics were in a silo, government were in a silo, businesses were in a silo. What the Monieson Centre has really done is provided access and facilitated the access to the silo that is the academy. That was something we were having problems with before. So just giving us entrance into that world. Being able to translate academic language into ordinary language. The fact that they were able to, with our partnership, be able to leverage those early successes into subsequent rounds of funding it grew beyond dissemination of existing knowledge into creation of new knowledge to almost an integration of community within different aspects of the university including teaching and learning curriculum. If you didn t have that mechanism to start with you would not have had the programs that followed. "
Crossing Disciplines The greatest academic support has come through Queen s University and their TEAM project with technology, engineering and management. We have had several projects with them. [It began with] being recognized by The Monieson Centre to be worthy of support, so when we went to the Faculty of Engineering, one of the chaps actually came with us when we went to that meeting with the Dean of Engineering and the rest is history. Through the TEAM project and some other courses like chemical engineering we have had extremely good support from the University."
Example - Renewable Energy in Renfrew County Project Provided research support to community leaders looking to tap into biomass opportunities Ontario increasing clean power from 3% to 13% by 2018 Demonstrated FIT rates would need to rise from $0.130-0.138/kWh to $0.273-0.450/kWh to stimulate the use of biomass Provides objective data to support lobbying initiatives
LESSONS LEARNED: PARTNERSHIP CHALLENGES
Partnership Challenges We have different needs and expectations. Faculty/student project scope Issue complexity We don t speak the same language. Jargon, acronyms French-English barriers We don t use the same clocks. Academic year vs. course vs. business period Time-consuming research ethics clearance Pressing demands and fiscal year-end deadlines
Partnership Challenges Cont d We partner at a distance. Faculty research is not consulting Faculty research can be upstream Applied research may not be valued Reward structures are misaligned Trust develops over time and projects may be brief Partnerships may require ongoing funding and be difficult to sustain At first you may not succeed, so try, try and try again
Priorities and Awareness Guilty of working in our business and not on our business. Not fully aware of what is going on in different universities Need to know how to create a link between [ourselves] and the resources.
Motivation and Rewards Making us aware of things like the calendars. Understanding the performance issues that were related to the academy. What people were rewarded for. Pro bono community work is very low on the scale. Publication is also very important for academic advancement, so making us aware of what motivates the academic and their appraisal was very important.
Co-ownership There is a lot of what passes for consultation versus actual ownership and co-participation. I think those things can be straightened. Some researchers are community activists and [some] go the other way. You can have both extremes and we need more in the middle. "
Closing Thoughts There are a lot of tools and experience that have come out of the projects that have been really valuable for us, especially in the smaller communities. Our community is a town of about 4000 people and we just don t have the resources to do all that work. The research is intrinsically rewarding. I see its value and others do too. It s timely, relevant and important.
Questions? www.economicrevitalization.ca