ACSRC People

Clark Banack

Director

Dr. Clark Banack is the Director of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities and an Assistant Professor of Political Studies at the Augustana Campus of the University of Alberta.  Clark is the author of God’s Province: Evangelical Christianity, Political Thought, and Conservatism in Alberta (McGill-Queen’s University Press), the co-author of Faith, Rights, and Choice: The Politics of Religious Schools in Canada (2023), and the co-editor of Building Inclusive Communities in Rural Canada (2023).  He has also authored several academic articles and book chapters related to Alberta politics, rural issues, religion and politics, education policy, and populism in Canada.

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Carole Preston

Coordinator

Carole is the Program Coordinator for the ACSRC.  She holds a B.A. Major in Psychology and Concentration in Rural Development.  She is also a Professional Canadian Art Therapist with a studio in rural Alberta.  Within this role, Carole combines her passion for weaving the arts into sustainable rural communities from the mental health of community members to the vibrancy of our public places.  She is also adept in administration, communications and event planning. She works with Clark to ensure the success of the ACSRC and its initiatives.