Dr. Mary Beckie

Biography

Mary Beckie is a Professor and Director of Community Engagement Studies in the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. She holds an interdisciplinary doctorate in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development from the University of Saskatchewan. Her teaching and research primarily focus on community engagement in sustainable community development, particularly in relation to regenerative and equitable place-based agri-food systems. Mary’s research is predominantly carried out in partnership with communities across western Canada, Cuba, Sri Lanka, India, and the UK. She has published extensively in various journals on topics related to alternative agri-food systems and community development. Notable publications include co-editing books and articles addressing sustainability in collaboration and community engagement. Her academic career began with a focus on natural sciences, culminating in a BSc in Biology and an MSc in Molecular Genetics, before transitioning to agricultural biotechnology research and teaching in post-secondary institutions. Mary’s interests led her to explore how sustainable food systems can foster community capacity building and transformative learning. Her methodological expertise includes case studies and community-based research, emphasizing social learning and knowledge power dynamics.

Research Interests

Experience