UNews - Lars Hallström

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge student Sydney Whiting earns prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, will study at England’s Oxford ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ

caroline.zentner — Thu, 20 Nov 2025 16:33:05 +0000

Sydney Whiting will set off on a new adventure at Oxford ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ next fall after learning she is a 2026 Rhodes Scholar. This prestigious scholarship is one of the world’s most competitive, with only 11 of the awards allocated to Canada and only three to the Prairie region.

Last weekend, Whiting was in Edmonton for her interview as a finalist and was driving back to Lethbridge on Sunday when she got the call.

“I was absolutely thrilled,” says Whiting, who is the fourth ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge student in school history to receive the honour. “My family is so excited, and I’m so happy to share this with them, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the community at large, as well.”

Her supervisor, Dr. Lars Hallstrom, a political science professor and director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, describes Whiting as an outstanding student who has taken advantage of all the opportunities and experiences available at ULethbridge.

“It has been a pleasure, if not an honour, to work with Sydney for these past few years, both in class and at the Prentice Institute,” says Hallstrom. “I am absolutely delighted that she has received this scholarship.”

ULethbridge president Dr. Digvir Jayas also extends his congratulations.

“We are immensely proud of Sydney for earning the Rhodes Scholarship,” says Jayas. “This achievement reflects not only her extraordinary intellect and leadership, but also her deep commitment to making a positive impact in the world. Her success is a testament to the values of curiosity, resilience and service that define our university community.”

As a high school student, Whiting’s interest in public policy was sparked by her social studies classes, the leadership program at Chinook High School and engagement with the Youth Climate Strikes and the former Climate Hub of Southern Alberta. Following her graduation, she enrolled at ULethbridge and began taking political science courses.

“I was lucky to settle into a program that I really felt could support the research I wanted to do and learn from experts here at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge,” she says.

Over the last few years, Whiting has been engaged in a variety of climate and gender-based advocacy work. Through the Young Diplomats of Canada (YDC), she represented Canadians as part of the delegation to Y7 Summit, the youth advisory group to the G7, in Tokyo, Japan, and to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. She now volunteers with YDC as part of their youth-led Executive Team.

Additionally, during her time at ULethbridge Whiting worked on different political campaigns and at the Campus Collective Centre, a levy-funded student organization focused on gender and sexual health advocacy. She has also been involved in externally funded research projects as a research assistant at the Prentice Institute, including projects focused on rural social policy, immigration in rural communities, work-integrated learning through an eight-month MITACS internship, and populism and media studies. This past summer, Whiting completed her undergraduate honours thesis on the discursive functionality of sustainable development in corporate settings under the supervision of Hallstrom and Dr. Bronwyn Bragg.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to have published work with co-authors at the Prentice Institute and presented at conferences in Canada and abroad,” she says. “The investment that, in particular, Dr. Hallstrom and the Prentice Institute have made into my education has been phenomenal.”

She’ll finish the requirements for her degree in December and will continue working as a research associate at the Prentice Institute next year until the fall.

Whiting intends to apply to Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government for their public policy one plus one program. The two-year program will earn Whiting two degrees — a master of public policy and a master of science in public policy research.

Along with Whiting, the other Rhodes Scholars who attended ULethbridge include Cheryl Misak (1984), Blair McMurren (1998) and Russell Goodman (2001).

About the Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship is a fully funded postgraduate scholarship to study at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Oxford. The scholarship is merit based, with the purpose of developing public-spirited leaders and promote international understanding and peace through an international community of scholars.

The scholarship covers course fees with an annual stipend to cover living costs.

The scholarship was established in 1902 through the will of Cecil Rhodes. One of the founding aims of the scholarship was to identify young leaders from around the world who, through the pursuit of education together at Oxford, would forge bonds of mutual understanding and fellowship for the betterment of mankind.

PUBlic Professor Series talk to examine the complexities of public policy and why it does and does not change

trevor.kenney — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 17:54:26 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge political scientist Dr. Lars Hallstrom is never lacking for material when studying the Alberta political landscape. Facing policy challenges that are increasingly recognized as complex and difficult to manage, many governments, at all levels, struggle with the demands such challenges may place upon them as institutions — and Alberta is no different.

Dr. Lars Hallstrom

On Thursday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge, Hallstrom will discuss why Alberta politics and policy are the way they are and why things change or why they stay the same in his PUBlic Professor Series talk — Political and Policy Innovation in Alberta: The More Things Change . . .?

Hallstrom says that long-standing patterns of single-party governments, tensions with other governments and perceptions of both who Albertans “are”, and what they “want” are not always aligned with more empirical realities. His talk examines that reality, and the implications for political and policy-based change in the province.

“I’ll be looking at these questions specifically in the context of Alberta and Albertan politics,” says Hallstrom. “We will discuss a combination of factors like culture, leadership, history and the role of Alberta in Canadian Confederation to try and understand why public policies in Alberta change and sometimes why they don’t.”

Hallstrom has held faculty positions at St. Francis Xavier ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, and since 2021, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. He is currently the director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy, and teaches courses on public policy, Albertan politics and research methods. He has a 25-plus year history of externally funded research and currently holds grants for projects that look at rural and Albertan populism, the political economy of rural development, rural refugees and immigration, and rural entrepreneurialism.

Hallstrom says policy innovation can be difficult for governments to implement.

“I’ll examine how and why Alberta struggles to create truly innovative policy, why “anti-politics” is a common refrain within the province, and how many “big” issues frustrate both policy-makers and the public.”

This is the fourth of six talks in the annual PUBlic Professor Series lectures which feature thought-provoking discussions on the most relevant topics of the day, bringing together a diverse group of experts and researchers from across the ULethbridge campus and into the community. Every talk is free of charge but registration is required. For those who cannot attend, the talk will be available on the ULethbridge YouTube channel following the presentation.

See more at ulethbridge.ca/research/public-professor.

Ending homelessness the first topic of engaging 2024-2025 PUBlic Professor Series

trevor.kenney — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:33:05 +0000

Six topics, six issues and six opportunities to engage with the experts who are at the forefront of research and fostering understanding — the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge presents the lineup for the 2024-25 PUBlic Professor Series.

Dr. Rebecca Schiff says hope is not lost in the struggle to end homelessness.

The annual lecture series designed to spark thought-provoking discussions on the most relevant topics of the day brings together a diverse group of experts and researchers from across campus and into the community. Every talk is free of charge.

“At its core, PUBlic Professor has always been about community outreach and allowing the broader community the opportunity to engage with our faculty members and tap into their insight and expertise,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, ULethbridge’s vice-president (research). “This year’s lineup of speakers is diverse in subject matter, extremely topical and one I’m really excited about. We have some very difficult issues that will hit close to home for many people and others that are more light and extremely fascinating. I think it shows the breadth of study here at ULethbridge and the opportunities our students enjoy every day.”

The first talk of the series, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge, features Dr. Rebecca Schiff discussing one of the most pressing issues of the day — Ending Homelessness.

The rate of homelessness has exploded across Canada, and Schiff has an important message: hope is not cancelled. For nearly two decades, Schiff has worked with individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as homelessness agencies and organizations across the country on diverse homelessness research and action-research projects to understand how we can move towards a society where everyone is safely housed.

“Unfortunately, over the past two to three years, homelessness has doubled, tripled or more in most communities across our country,” says Schiff. “In my talk, I’ll share ideas, thoughts, solutions and actions that we can take to ensure that we can end homelessness in Canada.”

A transdisciplinary scholar and administrator whose research spans the fields of health sciences, social sciences, humanities and environmental sciences, Schiff began her role as deputy provost in May 2024. Her research work has included funding from a wide array of sources, including the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR) and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). She has been a principal or co-applicant on 50-plus research projects totaling over $13 million in grants and has authored/co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications. She has also produced three books, with her most recent — Pandemic preparedness and homelessness: International lessons from COVID-19 — released in September 2024.

Ensuing talks take place in October, November and January, February and March 2025. The series will also be held at some new venues, including the Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre, The Slice Bar and Grill, and Owl Acoustic Lounge.

“Some of the topics lend themselves well to new venues and hopefully we will welcome some new community members and ULethbridge alumni who have never experienced a PUBlic Professor presentation before,” adds McMartin.

The series lineup is as follows:

2024-25 PUBlic Professor Series

Ending Homelessness — Dr. Rebecca Schiff, Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge

Fiat Lux (Or, why honey bees are practically magic) — Dr. Shelley Hoover, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 — Lethbridge & District Exhibition Agri-Food Hub & Trade Centre

Will Generative AI Change the World? — Dr. Sidney Shapiro, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024 — The Slice Bar and Grill

Political and Policy Innovation in Alberta: The More Things Change . . . ? — Dr. Lars Hallstrom, Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge

Sentimental Songs for Sentimental People — Dr. Emily Gale, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 — Owl Acoustic Lounge

Does Reading Even Matter Anymore? — Dr. Robin Bright (BA ’79, BEd ’82, MEd ’88), Thursday, Mar. 27, 2025 — Sandman Signature Lethbridge Lodge

Poll shows rural Albertans opposed to provincial police force

caroline.zentner — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 15:47:07 +0000

An online survey in February delivered by Leger and sponsored by the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy and the Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) shows a distinct lack of support for the creation of a provincial police force among rural Albertans.

Dr. Lars Hallstrom

The survey gauged the public perception of policing and was particularly focused on rural Albertans. Created as part of a collaboration between the RMA, Dr. Lars Hallstrom, a political science professor from ULethbridge, and Dr. Tanya Trussler, a professor in the Department of Economics, Justice and Policy Studies at Mount Royal ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, the survey asked respondents about their views of policing, crime and criminal justice. Some 1,470 participants completed the survey, which was designed to over sample rural residents.

The majority, approximately 54 per cent of respondents, disagreed with the idea of Alberta having its own police service. Only 23 per cent of respondents agreed that Alberta should have its own police service.

The majority of respondents reported having a high level of trust in the RCMP and felt police funding should be maintained. Most respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the police are doing a good or excellent job.

“At the end of the day, our priority is safe rural communities,” says RMA President Paul McLauchlin. “The RMA and its members support the work of the RCMP to address rural crime and don’t see any need for a fundamental change to how policing is delivered. The results of this survey show that individual rural Albertans share a similar view.” “The conclusions of this survey for rural Albertans are quite clear,” says Hallstrom. “Similar to the results of other recent polling, there is limited support for the removal of the existing police structure and replacing it with a provincial police force. Although there is some variation, depending on where people live in the province, the emphasis is really upon maintain and improve, not replace.”

Three quarters of rural Albertans who responded to the survey indicated they feel safe in their community. However, more than half also felt crime had increased in their community.

“These results are similar to national statistics, as most Canadians say they feel safe,” Hallstrom says. “While they do feel safe, close to 56 per cent indicated they felt crime in their communities was increasing. This also varies by region.”

While there was clear support for the current policing model, overall perceptions of the justice system were not favourable, with close to 79 per cent either agreeing or strongly agreeing that the court system is not hard enough on criminals. Close to three quarters of respondents agreed with the statement that the criminal courts are too lenient.

“Our focus is on improving policing, improving social services and improving the justice system to ensure that rural communities are safe and supported. This is a key target and manageable without the development of an Alberta Provincial Police Service,” says McLauchlin. “At this point we’d like to see the province re-direct the time, energy and money spent on pushing a provincial police service towards further enhancing social supports and the justice system.”

“Both rural and urban Albertans tend to have a positive view of police and feel they can be trusted, but this is not always universal nor consistent. Police are often the ‘first point of contact’ for citizens, and the larger judicial system and process can be quite complex,” said Hallstrom. “There are clearly areas for improvement, both from a practical and a policy standpoint, but there is really very little support for discarding what is already in place. When we factor in the well-documented costs associated with that approach, it’s pretty clear where public opinion lands.”

RMA values the partnership with ULethbridge in undertaking this type of polling in rural communities. Rural municipalities and residents want police services that are as responsive as possible and allow Albertans to feel safe in their homes. While the current model is not perfect, there has been a recent commitment on the part of the RCMP to prioritize rural safety, which has resulted in significant decreases in rural crime rates.

Define the Decade report sets the stage for Alberta prosperity over the next 10 years

trevor.kenney — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 16:52:11 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge political scientist Dr. Lars Hallström contributed to report from the Business Council of Alberta

With the province of Alberta currently at a crossroads, the Business Council of Alberta (BCA) released its flagship report Thursday — Define the Decade: Building Alberta’s Future—Together.

Dr. Lars Hallström, director of the Prentice Institute and ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge political scientist, contributed to the report, which examines the state of Alberta and sets out a visionary plan to “create a good life for every Albertan.” The plan is the culmination of a landmark research and public consultation process that engaged thousands of Albertans from all walks of life.

Dr. Lars Hallstrom is the director of the Prentice Institute and a ULethbridge political scientist.

“Albertans were remarkably united in their desired vision for the future. We all want a place of belonging, opportunity and solutions,” says Hallström. “This report outlines a reimagined and inspirational vision for Alberta’s future and a 10-year plan to unleash the province’s potential, and to identify and address some of the challenges we face.”

The report outlines how Alberta is uniquely positioned to take on three goals: prosperity – building a good life for all; economic expansion and diversification; and long-term sustainability. The report then identifies three global-scale missions: Feeding Everyone: Sustainable & Healthy Food, Energy Solutions: Low-Carbon Energy, Materials, & Minerals, and Healthy Lives: Medical & Wellness Advancements.

“We can write the next chapter for Alberta, one that is intentional, purposeful, and based on what Albertans from many geographies, identities, sectors, and walks of life want to see,” says Susannah Pierce, President & Country Chair, Shell Canada, and task force Co-Chair. “Through Define the Decade, we heard from thousands of Albertans about what is working in Alberta, what isn’t, and what they want their future to look like.”

Hallström's participation in the project included sitting as a member of the Advisory Committee since 2021, and providing input and feedback on the analysis, content and communication of the report and plan. As a specialist in public policy, environmental policy and rural development, he also provided content expertise in those areas.

He identified two main catalysts the report recommends would drive the vision of Define the Decade. The first is an Alberta Mission Agency which would coordinate and advance the Prosperity Mission focus for Alberta. The second is the creation of a Heartland Economic Region — a province-wide collaborative network of communities working to play on the same level as similar mega-regional economic development initiatives in North America. Supporting those catalysts are multiple imperatives: being united and collaborative; advancing reconciliation; being competitive; going global; delivering good governance; acting urgently.

"This report’s plan is a major step forward for Alberta on many fronts,” says Hallström. “It brings together a lot of public engagement and many voices, and links industry, the public sector, and communities in many different ways and across policy sectors. It is also very honest about some of the realities this province needs to face, both from the past, and into the future.”

About the Business Council of Alberta

The Business Council of Alberta is a non-partisan, for-purpose organization dedicated to building a better Alberta within a more dynamic Canada. Composed of the chief executives and leading entrepreneurs of the province’s largest enterprises, BCA members are proud to represent the majority of Alberta’s private sector investment, job creation, exports, and research and development. The Council is committed to working with leaders and stakeholders across Alberta and Canada in proposing bold and innovative public policy solutions and initiatives that will make life better for Albertans.

For more on the Business Council of Alberta: businesscouncilab.com/

To view the full report: definethedecade.com/

U of L appoints new director to the Prentice Institute

caroline.zentner — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 18:09:33 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is pleased to announce Dr. Lars Hallström has been appointed as the new director of the Prentice Institute for Global Population and Economy effective Jan. 1, 2021.

“We are excited to welcome Dr. Hallström to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the Prentice Institute,” says Dr. Erasmus Okine, vice-president (academic) and provost. “I got to know Lars when I was still at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta and he’s a dedicated scholar and researcher whose expertise is well-suited to the Prentice Institute.”

Hallström is currently the inaugural director of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities, a joint program of the Augustana Faculty and the Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta. His background is in political science and he will be joining the U of L’s political science department as a faculty member. However, his primary duties will be with the Prentice Institute, which was established in 2009 following a $8.25 million gift from Alberta entrepreneur John Prentice. As a multi-disciplinary, cross-faculty institute, it is dedicated to researching the long-term effects of demographic, economic and social issues related to changes in world population patterns. Hallström follows in the footsteps of Dr. Susan McDaniel, a sociologist and the Prentice Institute’s first director, who served in the position until August 2019.

Dr. Trevor Harrison, interim director of the Prentice Institute, says Hallström brings with him many interdisciplinary strengths, including the fields of political science, demography, geography and sociology. His skills in these areas will allow him to build upon what has already been established at the Prentice Institute.

“He has an established record of both getting research grants and assisting others in getting grants,” says Harrison. “His research, especially in rural areas and economic development in rural areas, is going to be a real plus for the institute.”

Hallström sees a natural fit between his previous work and the mission of the Prentice Institute.

“The position at the Prentice Institute aligns with some of the different areas where my work has fallen in terms of intersectoral actions, how environment and social and health policy, for example, can all affect each other and maybe leverage positive change in ways that are not directly assumed,” says Hallström. “I am a political scientist by training, but my work is more broadly oriented towards public policy at different levels, including environmental health and social policy, questions of equity, social determinants of health, urban and rural economic development, youth and youth engagement and access to public health infrastructure.”

“Dr. Hallström brings extensive experience in leading a highly impactful research institute within a comprehensive university environment,” says Dr. Robert Wood, interim vice-president (research). “We look forward to the collaborative research and community engagement opportunities he will cultivate in his role as director of the Prentice Institute.”

After a year of university studies and playing rugby in the United Kingdom, Hallström obtained a BA with a major in political science at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary in 1995 and completed a master’s and PhD in political science at Indiana’s Purdue ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. He began his academic career at St. Francis Xavier ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Nova Scotia as a professor of political science and Canada Research Chair in Public Policy and Governance. Hallström joined the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta in 2009 and has been director of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities since then.

Hallström was born in Edmonton but his family, due to his father’s work in the oil industry, left Canada shortly after and he spent most of his childhood living in Europe and the United States before returning to Canada as a teen. Music was a central theme in his life as a youth and something he continues to pursue today.

“My dad was an amateur musician as a youth in northern Sweden,” says Hallström. “I went through the Royal Conservatory piano trajectory and started playing in bands, as many people do, in high school. For the last five years, I’ve been playing bass in a local band. It’s great fun, and we have a good time playing rock and roll and playing it loud.”

UNews - Lars Hallström

��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge student Sydney Whiting earns prestigious Rhodes Scholarship, will study at England’s Oxford ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ

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