Academic Background

BA, Political Science, Sir George Williams University 
MEd, Special Education, Boston University
Research Associate, Psychology, Yale University
MA, Organizational Behaviour, Yale University
PhD, Organizational Behaviour, Case Western Reserve University

Biography

Ed has served as a social justice worker in the classroom and in the community for over 35 years.  He was a contributing author of one of the first books in Community Psychology, Psychology in Community Settings: Clinical, Educational, and Social Aspects  published by John Wiley in 1966.  He initiated the first Community Psychology courses and field placement experiences, at WLU in 1971 and the Community Psychology MA Program at WLU in 1976. He served as the Program’s Director for many years during his academic career at WLU. 

Also in the 70s, Ed played a Provincial and National leadership role in advocating for many community-based Prevention and Health Promotion policy initiatives.  During the 80s , Ed served as the co-founder and co-editor of the Canadian Journal of Community Mental Health  and edited three books including,  Social Intervention: Theory and Practice, in 1987.  During the past 15 years Ed has focussed on community-based economic development as a form of primary prevention.  In 1989, he co-founded Sand Hills Co-operative Homes Inc., (a multi-cultural housing co-operative); and in 1990,  he co-founded a non-profit Community Economic Development Corporation, in the rural area where he lives.

Since 1992, he has worked with the Old Order Amish of Ontario on land use planning challenges, sustainable agricultural practices, and strategies to adapt to global economic restructuring.  He has helped to initiate several community-based economic development ventures including the Mornington Heritage Cheese and Dairy Co-operative Inc. which now has sales across Canada and in the NE United States.  Most recently he provided the leadership for the community to buy back a century-old cheese plant in the local area - the Millbank Cheese & Butter Factory, Millbank, Ontario from a transnational corporation.  Since September, 2003,  Ed has served as the President of Millbank Cheese & Cold Storage Inc.  Ed is very appreciative of  the six month Sabbatical Leave,  January 1 - June 30, 2004 which has enabled him to devote extensive time to this demanding social and economic community-based revitalization work.

Additional Information

Dr. Bennett retired in June 2005.  Dr. Bennett can be reached at the email address ebennett@wlu.ca and telephone extension 3527 (voicemail).