معرفی
Leith Deacon is an Associate Professor in Rural Planning and Development at the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, part of the Ontario Agricultural College. He serves as Coordinator of the PhD Program in Rural Studies and is a Registered Professional Planner (RPP) and full member of the Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP). His work focuses on enhancing resilience in rural communities through collaborative research with stakeholders, addressing mental health, energy transitions, and economic development.
Education: PhD in Geography (University of Western Ontario, 2010); MSc in Rural Planning and Development (University of Guelph, 2004); BA in Communications and Earth Sciences (University of Windsor, 2001).
Research Interests: Deacon investigates social, economic, environmental, and legislative resilience in rural communities. He employs systems thinking and citizen science methodologies to co-design projects that empower local voices. Current projects span Canadian and international contexts, emphasizing mental health equity, energy policy adaptation, and rural economic strategies.
Affiliations: Alberta Land Institute, Future Energy Systems (University of Alberta), Yellowknives Dene First Nation, and multiple municipal governments. His work bridges academia and practice, producing actionable knowledge for sustainable community planning.
Publications: Over 25 peer-reviewed articles on topics including pandemic mental health, energy transition governance, and boom-bust cycles in resource-based communities. Key outputs include frameworks for health governance and analyses of land use policies.
