Welcome

I am a faculty member in the Rural Planning and Development Program, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development at the University of Guelph and Graduate Program Coordinator for the Rural Studies and Development and the Capacity Development and Extension programs.

The best way to find things on this site is to use the search box. You can also find items through the navigation links to main pages and articles.

Development Studies
I have been involved in development work since 1979... two years as a CUSO volunteer in Mozambique...Assistant Director of the Centre for Development Projects at Dalhousie University from 1984 to 1986... Assistant Director of the Environmental Capacity Enhancement Project, a $4.5 million CIDA-funded project delivered by the Rural Planning and Development Program of the U of Guelph in 13 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa from 1997 to 2000.

Teaching
For three years (2003 to 2006) Assistant Professor in the International Development Studies Program of Saint Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 2006 awarded the Saint Mary's University Student Association Award for Excellence in Teaching. I returned to the University of Guelph in 2006. I have taught a variety of courses...Rural Planning and Development Theory... Rural Development Administration...Environment and Development...Project Development.

Research
My primary areas of academic interest include: the role of the state in development; environmental assessment and public participation; good governance; agricultural and environmental policy. I am currently involved in several funded research projects examining collaborative regional economic development initiatives, local food systems, community-based water monitoring, and maple syrup production. I also have an ongoing research program on public participation in environmental impact assessment. I have co-edited one book, Ecological Agriculture in Eastern and Southern Africa, and written numerous articles and conference presentations on environment and development issues. I have conducted research or provided consulting services in Honduras, Bolivia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Egypt, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Ukraine.

Engagements
Co-chair of the Public Participation Section of the International Association for Impact Assessment

Member of the Board of Directors of the Organic Council of Ontario

Faculty for the annual International Comparative Rural Policy Studies Summer Institute.

I am maintaining this site to provide a sense of my work and engagements. I hope you find this site helpful and if you are interested in collaboration please contact me.