Chester Ronning Centre

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting Shad (Shadrach Kabango) for a wide-ranging and deeply meaningful conversation on hip-hop, faith, and the art of meaning-making.

In the afternoon, he presented on the history of hip-hop to a group of 500 local students. That evening, we welcomed a sold-out crowd for an engaging and thoughtful dialogue that carried the conversation even deeper.

We recorded the evening talk and it will be available to revisit soon!

We are currently looking for local farmers to take part in a research study called ‘Farmer Relationships to Land in Central Alberta.’ This study explores the perspectives, experiences and practices of farmers in relation to the land where they live and work. The overall purpose of the project is to gain a better understanding of how religious and nonreligious settlers in rural communities relate to the land around them.

Participation involves one interview session in English with a member of the research team for approximately 60 minutes. Interviews may take place in person or over Zoom. Compensation
will be offered.

To participate you must:
-Be an agricultural producer (big or small) in Beaver County or Camrose County
-Be at least 18 years old

If you are interested in taking part or have any questions, please contact Lauren Strumos at [email protected]

Please help us in our recruitment efforts by liking and sharing this post!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Wild Women & Just Water. It was a meaningful and energizing conversation, and we are so grateful for your presence.

A special thank you to Dr. Christiana Zenner and Dr. Kimberly Carfore for sharing their wisdom, insight, and leadership in such a rich and thought-provoking dialogue.

If you weren’t able to attend, or would like to revisit the conversation, the event recording will be available in the coming days. We’ll be sure to share it soon.

This Thursday, Feb 12!

Join us online or in person as two leading voices in religion, ecology, and ethics come together for a wide-ranging public conversation on women’s leadership, ecological knowledge, and moral imagination in the face of 21st-century challenges.

Featuring:

Kimberly Carfore — Professor at the University of San Francisco; Co-Chair of the Religion and Ecology Unit at the American Academy of Religion; Advisory Board Member, Forum on Religion and Ecology at Yale. She is host of the podcast Return to the Fire and founder of Wild Women, a nonprofit integrating the humanities, arts, and sciences through outdoor, place-based practices that cultivate self-knowledge, resilience, and ecological responsibility.

Christiana Zenner — Associate Professor of Theology, Science, and Ethics at Fordham University. Her work engages Catholic social teaching through anti-colonial and feminist lenses, with a focus on water justice and the ways ethics, power, and ecology shape struggles for more equitable futures.

https://www.ualberta.ca/en/events/augustana/chester-ronning-centre/wildwomenandjustwater.html

Just one week away!
Can't make it in person? This event is also available online. Follow the link below.

Join us in person and online for an inspiring discussion with Kimberly Carfore & Christiana Zenner on women’s leadership, ecological knowledge, and moral imagination in tackling the challenges of the 21st century.

🗓 Feb 12, 2026 | 7:30 PM MT
📍 Mayer Hall, Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, Camrose, AB & Online

Learn more and register:
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/events/augustana/chester-ronning-centre/wildwomenandjustwater.html

Meet Lauren Strumos, sociologist and postdoctoral scholar with the Chester Ronning Centre. In her work, she investigates how religious and nonreligious affiliations shape our relationship with the natural world.

"Since my undergraduate studies I’ve been interested in the intersections of religion and ecology, but over time I became increasingly curious about the views and beliefs of people who are not religious. According to the 2021 census, 34.6 per cent of Canada’s population reported no religious affiliation — more than doubling from 16.5 per cent in 2001. This rise in nonreligion really captured my attention, and I realized it was something I couldn’t ignore if I wanted to understand how people in contemporary society imagine their place in the world around them."

Learn more about Lauren and her research: https://www.ualberta.ca/en/augustana/news/2026/01/landscapes-of-belief.html

🎤 AN EVENING WITH A CANADIAN ICON: SHAD 🎤

We are incredibly honoured to announce a very special co-presentation with the Chester Ronning Centre for the Study of Religion and Public Life: Shad: A Ronning Centre Conversation.

Join us for a rare, intimate evening with Shadrach Kabango (Shad), arguably Canada’s most critically acclaimed voice in Hip Hop. This isn't just a concert—it’s a deep dive into the mind of a lyrical craftsman and a national cultural leader. 🇨🇦✨

Why this conversation is a must-see: ⭐ History-Maker: Shad holds five Polaris Music Prize shortlistings—more than any other artist in history. ⭐ The Voice of Hip Hop: You may recognize him as the host of Netflix’s Emmy-winning documentary series, Hip-Hop Evolution. ⭐ The Message: He masterfully blends infectious sound with profound themes of identity, faith, and personal struggle, all delivered with his trademark humor and insight.

Whether you are a long-time fan of his music or a follower of his thoughtful cultural commentary, this conversation promises to be one of the most intellectually stimulating and soulful events of our season.

📅 Wednesday, February 25, 2026
📍 Jeanne & Peter Lougheed Performing Arts Centre

Come witness the expertise of a true artist in a setting that encourages reflection, connection, and inspiration.

🎟️ Tickets are available now! Grab yours at the link in our comments below. *This show is a PAY WHAT YOU WILL - reserve your seats then pay what you will after!*

Join us in person and online for an inspiring discussion with Kimberly Carfore & Christiana Zenner on women’s leadership, ecological knowledge, and moral imagination in tackling the challenges of the 21st century.

🗓 Feb 12, 2026 | 7:30 PM MT
📍 Mayer Hall, Lougheed Performing Arts Centre, Camrose, AB & Online

Learn more and register:
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/events/augustana/chester-ronning-centre/wildwomenandjustwater.html