Dr. Yolande Chan, Professor, MIS, Queen's School of Business Jeff Dixon, Associate Director, The Monieson Centre, Queen's School of Business

1. Fostering Innovation through Academic-
Community Partnerships
Yolande Chan, E. Marie Shantz Professor, Queen’s University
Jeff Dixon, Associate Director, The Monieson Centre

2. Agenda
• Overview of Partnerships and Projects
• Lessons Learned
– Co-creation of Research Priorities
– The Benefits of Research Partnerships
– Partnership Challenges
• Community Impacts
• Questions

3. OVERVIEW OF PARTNERSHIPS &
PROJECTS

4. 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

5. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
• In 2007, Monieson Centre board member
PELA introduced Director and PELA CFDC
MOU 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

6. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
• Ongoing discussions led to a
SSHRC-funded knowledge
mobilization project:
• 3 years (2008-11)
• $300,000
• 2 lead partners
PELA KIS • Initiatives included:
MOU (SSHRC) • 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

7. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
• 2007 proposal engaged:
• PELA CFDC
• ROI (formerly TORC)
• PELAIRD
• OMAFRA
• Fifth Town Artisan
PELA KIS Cheese
MOU (SSHRC) • QEDC
• EO CFDC Network, Inc.
• Industry Canada/FedNor
• OEEDC
• Queen’s University
School of Policy Studies
• Rural Secretariat

8. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
• 2008-11 project further engaged:
• EOWC
• Northumberland County
• RDÉE Ontario
• City of Kawartha Lakes
• ELORIN/Launch Lab
• Queen’s Sustainable Bioeconomy
Centre
PELA KIS • Communities of Eastern Ontario
MOU (SSHRC) 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

9. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
• KIS interactions with
OMAFRA led to a
relationship with Dr. Wayne
Caldwell, University of
Guelph
• Led to a series of 8
PELA KIS Discovery Workshops in SW
MOU (SSHRC) Ontario in 2009-10
• Final report analyzes
economic development
issues and research needs
RRP for rural Southern Ontario
(Guelph &
OMAFRA)

10. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
• Partnered with:
• University of Guelph
(Project Lead)
• TORC (now ROI)
• OMAFRA (Funder)
• Nottawasaga CFDC
• Chatham‐Kent CFDC
PELA KIS • Grand Erie Business
MOU (SSHRC) Centre
• Wellington‐Waterloo CFDC
• Saugeen Economic
Development Corporation
RRP • Perth CFDC
(Guelph & • Orillia Area Community
OMAFRA) Development Corporation
• Norfolk District Business
Development Corporation

11. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
• 2010-13 French Translation
French of “Revitalizing Rural
Translation Economies by Mobilizing
(SSHRC) Academic Knowledge”
• Funded by SSHRC
• Translated KIS resources
PELA KIS into French
MOU (SSHRC) • A response to unique needs
of Eastern Ontario’s
Francophone communities
identified in KIS project
RRP • Steering committee:
(Guelph & • RDÉE Ontario
OMAFRA) • PELA CFDC
• Northumberland County
• ROI

12. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
French Community-
Translation University Research
(SSHRC) Alliance
(SSHRC)
PELA KIS • A 2008-9 LOI/project to
MOU (SSHRC) develop new research on:
• Rural entrepreneurship
• Knowledge worker
RRP attraction & mobility
(Guelph & • Rural creative
OMAFRA) economies
• Rural IT infrastructure

13. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
French Community-
Translation University Research
(SSHRC) Alliance
(SSHRC)
• In 2008-9 engaged new partners:
PELA KIS • Artisan Bakers’ Quality Alliance
MOU (SSHRC) • Queen’s CHSPR
• CIRANO
• Queen’s CSPC
• SE LHIN
• CAWT
RRP
• CEONET
(Guelph & • Harris Centre
OMAFRA) • Loyalist College
• Martin Prosperity Institute
• MEDT
• Northern Connections Adult
Learning Centres
• RDI

14. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
French Research
Translation Partnerships
(SSHRC) (SSHRC)
• Partnership network has
PELA KIS grown to over 40 partners
MOU (SSHRC) • In 2011, launched a 3-year
SSHRC-funded research
project
RRP • 14 studies over 3 years
• Rural entrepreneurship &
(Guelph &
business
OMAFRA)
• Innovation & sustainability
• Involves researchers from 5
academic institutions

15. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
French Research
Translation Partnerships
(SSHRC) (SSHRC)
• Further expanded the
partnership network:
PELA KIS
• City of Kawartha Lakes
MOU (SSHRC)
• OA CFDCs
• The Venture Centre
• Concordia Rural
RRP Research Group
(Guelph & • University of Waterloo –
OMAFRA) SEED
• Two Rivers Community
Development Centre

16. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
French Research
Translation Partnerships
(SSHRC) (SSHRC)
Impact of
PELA KIS Knowledge
MOU (SSHRC) Mobilization
(Rural Secretariat)
RRP • K Mobilization Discovery
(Guelph & Workshops/surveys funded
OMAFRA) by the Rural Secretariat
• Steering Committee:
Northumberland County,
PELA CFDC, and RDÉE
Ontario.

17. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
French Research
Translation Partnerships
(SSHRC) (SSHRC)
Impact of
PELA KIS Knowledge
MOU (SSHRC) Mobilization
(Rural Secretariat)
• New workshop hosts:
RRP • 1000 Islands WDB
(Guelph & • Frontenac County
OMAFRA) • SWEA
• Town of New Tecumseth
• Mount Forest Family Health
Team
• Chatham-Kent LIP
• SCOR

18. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
French Research
Translation Partnerships
(SSHRC) (SSHRC)
Impact of
PELA KIS Knowledge
MOU (SSHRC) Mobilization
(Rural Secretariat)
RRP
(Guelph & Economic
OMAFRA) Revitalization
(OMAFRA)

19. Economic Revitalization Partnerships
Broadband Evaluating the
Impact Economic & Social
Assessment Impacts of Rural
Methodology Broadband (EOWC,
(MGS) EORN, OMAFRA)
• New partners engaged:
• Ontario Ministries:
• MGS
• MNDMF
• EORN

20. 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

21. 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

22. The Impact of an Academic-Community
Partnership
Leveraged Has grown to
Began with an
relationships to over $2m in
MOU in one
reach a regional research-related
community
partner base activities

23. LESSONS LEARNED 1:
CO-CREATION OF RESEARCH PRIORITIES

24. 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

25. 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)

26. Discovery Workshops 2011-2013
• Eastern Ontario • Focus Workshops:
Workshops – Research - London
– Bancroft – Downtown Revitalization -
– Verona New Tecumseth
– Renfrew – Healthcare - Fergus
– Belleville – Immigrant Attraction -
– Picton Chatham-Kent and
Tillsonburg
– Napanee
– Green Economy -
– Montague Haliburton
– Almonte – Labour Markets -
– Navan Gananoque
– Peterborough
– Cobourg
– Kawartha Lakes
– Keswick

27. 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)

28. 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

29. 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.

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. LESSONS LEARNED:
BENEFITS OF RESEARCH PARTNERSHIPS

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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."

37. 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.”

38. 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. "

39. 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."

40. 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

41. LESSONS LEARNED:
PARTNERSHIP CHALLENGES

42. 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

43. 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

44. 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.”

45. 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.”

46. 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. "

47. 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.”

48. Questions?
www.economicrevitalization.ca