The document summarizes the Canadian Rural Research Network (CRRN), which aims to facilitate links, exchanges, and information sharing among rural research stakeholders. CRRN works to overcome the challenges of disseminating knowledge in rural, low-density environments by providing an online community platform. It has over 30 member organizations, 10 volunteer coordinators, and close to 400 social media users who share research information through over 300 blog posts and events. The goal is for CRRN to become a vibrant online hub that brings together rural research knowledge and collaboration.

1. Canadian Rural Research Network (CRRN):
a rural challenge, an opportunity for all, and what is the CRRN
in 5 minutes
http://rural-research-network.blogspot.com
Alessandro Alasia
Network coordinator
Presented to the
Rural Development Network (RDN)
Annual General Meeting
Ottawa, Ontario
May 4, 2011

2. Knowledge dissemination in a high
density environment

3. Knowledge dissemination in a low density
environment
Our challenge: overcome “distance” to each other’s
knowledge and the “low density” of rural knowledge

4. The opportunity:
today there are new ways to get together,
to share knowledge, to collaborate
and benefit from the agglomeration of ideas
The Virtual Choir

5. 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

6. CRRN in numbers
• Established in June 2009
• Over 30 organizations sharing rural research
information
• A team of 10 people who volunteer their time to
maintain the CRRN blog and social media
• Over 300 posts with research related information, plus
calendar of events, videos, documents, etc.
• Close to 400 social media users, many of which are
organizations
• About 42,000 pages loads since 2009 (from close to
20,000 visitors)
• Just started: The Opinion and Lessons Learned

7. How does it work?
http://www.rural-research-network.blogspot.com
Bi-monthly email
update

8. Stay
connected
Join the
network
Thank you