Written by Kelly Pyart.
With the rise of modern technology and bustling city communities, the question of whether rural communities have a viable future will be debated by a select panel of academics at the University of Lincoln.
A debate to question the reality of the long-term existence of rural habitations will be held by Professor Nigel Curry, Professor Peter Somerville, Professor John Shepherd and Dr Keith Halfacree at the University’s Business and Law Building on Tuesday, November 5th.
The organiser, Dr Gary Bosworth, Director of Research in Lincoln Business School said:
“It’s crucial that policymakers’ understanding of rural communities is based on reality because it is they who will determine the policies which will decide the fortunes of these communities. This debate will help to inform our research on this fundamental question.”
He added:
“It’s also a word that has multiple meanings. This event aims to get people thinking about what it really means in 21st century Britain.”
As part of Economic and Social Research Council’s (ESRC) Festival of Social Science 2013, the “Interpretating Rurality,” event hopes to engage both the experts and the audience in a crucial, on-going debate to divine the opinions of the public in general.
Whilst each of the experts will present their varying views, the event will also try to consider and shape the future road for the shifting concept of rurality and what this means to rural inhabitants, businesses and politicians.
How to harness this information in a strategic way towards enhancing the life of rural development could also be a key motive.
Attendance is free to what promises to be an engaging, enlivening public debate about the future of rural areas across Britain, however there are limited places.
To register for this event, contact Susan Marango on: smarango@lincoln.ac.uk.