The document summarizes the development and vision of the Canadian Rural Research Network (CRRN). [1] It outlines how CRRN was established in 2009 to revitalize the former National Rural Research Network. [2] CRRN's vision is to create a vibrant online community that facilitates links and information sharing among rural research stakeholders. [3] It operates through emerging networking models like social media and peer production to disseminate research outputs with no financial budget.

1. Canadian Rural Research Network (CRRN)
Réseau canadien de recherche rurale (RCRR)
Alessandro Alasia
Network Coordinator
Growing Rural and Remote Health Research
BCRRHRN Scientific Exchange
Prince George, March 4-5th 2010

2. Outline
• CRRN development
• Vision and objectives, operation
• Emerging networking models
• Way ahead

3. CRRN development
• 2005, National Rural Research Network (CRRF/Rural Secretariat)
• June 2009, CRRF supports a proposal to revitalize the network (as
Canadian Rural Research Network) with a renewed mandate and
networking model
– June 2009, CRRN blog is established
– August 2009, first bi-monthly email update is sent out
– September/December 2009, a management committee is
established
– December 2009, first online meeting of the management
committee
– January/February 2010, presence on social media (Facebook,
Twitter, YouTube)

4. CRRN vision
• A vibrant, free and comprehensive on-
line community of rural research
stakeholders that facilitates links,
exchanges, partnerships and information
sharing among all parties interested in
rural research by means of new and
innovative networking approaches

5. Emerging networking models
• Shift in Internet applications: Web 2.0
– From a publishing environment
– To a participative environment
• Cost of collaboration has plunged
• A new mode of production emerges: peer production
– A way of producing goods/services that relies on self-organizing,
egalitarian communities of individuals who come together
voluntarily to produce a shared outcome (Tapscott and Williams
2006)
• It works for production of: (1) “information” outputs; (2)
small increment contributions are possible; (3) low cost
of re-assembly
• Peer production can outperform traditional production
models because people self-select for tasks

6. Information sharing
• CRRN facilitates sharing of research
outputs and research-related information
among a broad spectrum of rural
stakeholders
• The CRRN has no financial budget, does
not provide or seek funding for research

7. CRRN blog
http://www.rural-research-network.blogspot.com

8. CRRN bi-monthly update
subscribe.crrn@gmail.com

9. Social media applications
Join the conversation

10. Management Committee
• Formed by individuals willing to provide a voluntary
contribution for the maintenance of the web portal, and
to be active in the development of new ideas and
applications that would further support the objectives of
the network and its growth
• Alessandro Alasia, Network Coordinator
• Jean-François Frenette, INRS, Montréal
• David Hardie, CRRN, Ottawa
• Deatra Walsh, Memorial University, St. John's
• Erin McGuigan, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
• Jeff Dixon, Queen's University, Kingston
• Molly Moshofsky, University of British Columbia, Vancouver

11. Partners’ Roundtable
• 29 organizations (academic institutions and
research centers, provincial and national
organizations, federal government)
• Part of these organizations were already linked
to CRRF, others were invited to join CRRN
• A contact person from each partnering
organization to maintain communication
• Annual online meeting to be organized soon….

12. Way ahead
• CRRN is 10 months old and very much under (self-
organizing) construction
• Lots of room for improvement and new ideas
– e.g., academic journal scan, closer collaboration with other
national and international networks
• CRRN experience suggests that there is a potential for
peer production models applied to research information
sharing with a large community of interest
• Potential benefits for “research production” need to be
explored and monitored

13. Thank you