Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) Bob Maher Senior Research Scientist Middleton, Nova Scotia First Presented at the Pines Rural Knowledge Cluster (RKC) workshop in October 2005. Revised September 2006.

What is Community? Geographic Southwest Nova Scotia, e.g., the Rural Knowledge Cluster Canada, e.g., Network Centre of Excellence Global, e.g., climate change agenda Thematic Geographic service Geomatics industry Post-secondary education (universities, community colleges, industry training)

What is the role of Applied Research in Community Development ? Economic – create jobs, $$$ into the community Social – involvement in ideas/research tasks Technology – access to equipment Science – the ‘geographic view of the world’ Informatics – shared understanding of our environment and its processes

What is the current model at AGRG ? History - started in January 2000 Six Research Scientists Covers Hydrology, Climate, Biology, Health Science, Agriculture, Software Development, Geomatics Six internships 2 Outreach Officers; 1 Business incubation Manager Total: 25 staff and students

Senior Research Scientist AGRG Senior Research Scientist Bob Maher Chris Hopkinson Heather Stewart Roger Mosher Tim Webster David Colville Hydrology LiDAR Botany Wetlands Software Development Earth Sciences Remote Sensing Climate & Landscape GIS Jeff Wentzell Randy Cochrane Martin O’Hara Sandra Kaiser Environmental Health CIHR with Dal NSERC Coordinator Rural Knowledge Cluster Laura Chasmer Darren MacKinnon Hydro-meteorology, LiDAR Meteorological Instrumentation GIS

Annapolis Valley Campus Jim Stanley Principal VP Business Development Digby Lawrencetown Middleton Director Applied Research David Woolnough AGRG

Key Questions How does AGRG relate to a rural knowledge cluster in the western valley ? What are we trying to achieve here today ? Awareness Feedback Future network

Rural Secretariat project NSCC – Applied Geomatics College Boreal – value added forestry College of the Rockies – Tourism Funded by Rural Secretariat Started in July 2005 2 ½ years Bilingual Focus is the western valley

Participatory Action Research Standard research model Group of university/government scientists determine the research agenda Receive funding Conduct research Publish papers Build expertise of the group

Participatory Action Research PAR model Research group meets the community Identify needs Develop proposal for funding Conduct research with community involvement Report back to the community Publish papers, reports, newspaper articles Build expertise at institution and in the community

Issues/Concerns Who defines the applied research agenda for the educational institution ? Academics Community Business Who writes the proposals ?

How do we define Applied Research ? Solve problems that are raised by the community ? Analysis of existing circumstances Advising on policy directions Is part of the solution: Empowering the public Empowering government

Questions for this audience ? Listen to the SIX presentations: Are there technology opportunities ? Are you interested in the applications ? Are you interested in the science ? Can you see innovations to our current model ? Change the definition of Applied Research Change the role of the Community College in the community Suggestions for specific events or processes Workshops Demonstrations Business opportunities Books

Update September 2006 New Learning Model at AGRG - focus on internship - focus on joint MSc. Degree - less emphasis on Advanced Dipolma in Applied Geomatics Research New Proposals - GEOIDE: Air Quality and Rural Health - GeoConnections: Online regional atlas for Sustainable Development - CFS: Forestry Communities Program

Update September 2006 New Activities within RKC - workshop at Université Sainte-Anne - Community GIS - involvement in Geo Connections proposal Future Opportunities - SSHRC Knowledge Cluster on Rural Community Research Network - LIDAR university consortiums