KIAS funding leads to SSHRC grant

KIAS received exciting news that the KIAS-sponsored pilot project undertaken by Dr. Gordon Gow, Faculty of Extension, has been awarded with a SSHRC Partnership Development Grant in the amount of $190,575. KIAS funded the research in the 2011 Research Cluster Grant competition, titled “Environmentally sustainable farming practices through a technology-enhanced community of practice approach: Establishing a Research Partnership between the University of Alberta and Sri Lanka.” The project examined how low-cost technology can contribute to food security objectives in developing countries by enhancing the agricultural communities of practice. Additionally, Dr. Gow received KIAS External Collaboration funds to pursue further linkages with the community in Sri Lanka, through LIRNEasia, a well-established independent organization in Sri Lanka that carries out a range of research projects to examine the social and economic impact of information and communication technologies in the Asia Pacific region (http://lirneasia.net).

The SSHRC project, “Partnership development to explore innovative uses of low cost communication technology for knowledge mobilization in agricultural communities of practice,” will span three years and includes researchers from the University of Alberta, University of Guelph, University of Peradeniya, and LIRNEasia (Sri Lanka). More information about the Partnership Development Grants can be found on the SSHRC website: http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/results-resultats/2012/PDG_FinalEF.pdf.