Inside the Business Office
Why Staying at the Conference Hotel Matters
Did you know that where you stay during the RSS Annual Meeting directly impacts the Society?
For the 2026 RSS Annual Meeting, RSS has a contracted room block at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh–Durham, with a negotiated conference rate of $169 per night. The discounted rate is available until July 7, 2026, or until the room block is full—whichever comes first, so we encourage you to book early.
👉 Book your room here: Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh–Durham
When RSS contracts with a conference hotel, we also commit to filling a block of guest rooms. Meeting our room block helps RSS:
- Keep meeting space and registration costs lower
- Avoid financial penalties tied to hotel contracts
- Reinvest more resources into programming, graduate student support, and member services
When attendees stay at the conference hotel, it strengthens RSS’s ability to deliver a high-quality meeting now—and to negotiate favorable rates and benefits for future meetings.
We know everyone’s travel needs are different, and we truly appreciate your support whenever you are able to book within the RSS room block. It makes a meaningful difference for the Society.
We look forward to welcoming you to Raleigh!
Warm regards,
The RSS Business Office
Suzanne Bevan
Executive Director
sbevan@ruralsociology.org
Ashley Smedley
Account Representative
asmedley@ruralsociology.org
Rural Studies Series Co‑Editor Call (2026–2029)
The Rural Sociological Society is seeking applications from qualified members to serve as Co‑Editor of the Rural Studies Series for a three‑year term beginning August 2026. The series, published by UNC Press, produces two books per year on key rural social science issues and is guided by a distinguished editorial board. Applicants must submit a CV and a brief vision statement by April 30, 2026.
Deadline: April 30, 2026
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Call for Abstracts
Special Issue of Rural Sociology on Policies, Politics, and the Wellbeing of Rural People and Places
Rural Sociology is accepting abstracts for a special issue on how policies and politics shape the wellbeing of rural people and places. Submissions may address any dimension of rural wellbeing and are due by May 1, 2026. Full details and submission guidelines are available at the link.
Deadline: May 1, 2026 at 5pm ET
Upcoming Webinar
May 19, 2026 at 12pm ET
Designing Effective Research Posters
Poster sessions are a staple of academic conferences and a powerful way to share your work, spark conversations, and build connections with fellow scholars. Yet many of us have never received formal guidance on what makes a research poster effective (or what to actually do while standing next to one). Whether you're a graduate student preparing your first poster or a seasoned scholar looking to up your game, this webinar is for you. Shannon Monnat will walk through the key principles of high-impact poster design, share examples of what works (and what doesn't) for both quantitative and qualitative research, and offer practical tips for making the most of your time during poster sessions — from layout and data visualization to engaging passersby in meaningful conversation about your research. This webinar is open to all RSS members and is especially useful for anyone presenting a poster at the 2026 annual meeting.
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2026 RSS Council Elections
Help Shape the Future Leadership of RSS
RSS members are invited to participate in the 2026 Council Elections, which will help shape the future leadership of the Society. Voting is open to all current members and will remain available through April 30, 2026. Candidate statements and full election details can be found at the link.
Deadline: April 30, 2026
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Mentor-Mentee Connection Initiative
We are excited to announce the relaunch of the Mentor–Mentee Connection Initiative through the Rural Sociological Society. This program is designed to support graduate students as they prepare for and navigate the academic and professional job market.
The initiative connects graduate students with experienced faculty and professionals who can offer practical, informed guidance on key aspects of career development, including:
- Job market preparation
- Conference networking strategies
- CV development and positioning
- Research framing and professional identity
- Making the most of the RSS Annual Meeting
Mentor–mentee pairs will be matched prior to the Annual Meeting in Raleigh, allowing participants to establish connections in advance and use the meeting as a meaningful opportunity for engagement and professional visibility. Please note that attendance at the Annual Meeting is required to participate.
We warmly invite:
- Faculty and professionals to serve as mentors and share their expertise
- Graduate students to participate as mentees
Your participation plays a vital role in strengthening our community and supporting the next generation of rural sociologists.
👉 Sign up here: https://ruralsociology.org/mentor-mentee-connection-initiative/
The form includes basic information, areas of interest (including RIG affiliations), and a brief professional profile or bio to help us create thoughtful and productive matches.
All participants will be asked to agree to shared expectations around communication, professionalism, and confidentiality to ensure a positive and meaningful mentoring experience.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me (Joshua Grove: jggrove@syr.edu).
We look forward to your participation and to fostering stronger connections within our RSS community.
Warm regards,
Joshua Grove
RSS Graduate Student Representative
Jggrove@syr.edu
Sign Up Deadline - May 30, 2026
Graduate Student Corner
The Graduate Student Corner highlights the work, experiences, and achievements of RSS graduate student members. Each month, we feature students at different stages of their programs, showcasing their research, professional pathways, and connections to rural sociology. This space is designed to strengthen graduate student visibility within RSS, foster community, and support emerging scholars as they navigate research, teaching, and the academic and applied job markets.
Graduate students interested in being featured are encouraged to reach out to the RSS Graduate Student Representatives.
Joshua Grove: jggrove@syr.edu
Ayse Akyildiz: aqa6158@psu.edu
This month we are highlighting Wandipa Mualefhe and Nicolas Moreno Gonçalves:
 Wandipa Mualefhe is a final-year PhD candidate in the Social Sciences department at Michigan Technological University, where she studies the influences and interplays of power on and in climate change policy decision-making. Her research interests also include environmental + climate + land justice, sustainability, and energy access + security + policy within rural and disadvantaged communities, along with considerations of how structural power differentiates the experiences of sub-groups; how, for example, women, under-resourced people, and other vulnerable groups face differing consequences from more dominant groups within marginalized communities. Wandipa will soon be on the job market, seeking work in both academia and industry. She has worked at the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture, the Department of Meteorological Services, and the Department of Energy in Botswana. To contact Wandipa, please reach out to her at wmualefh@mtu.edu. |
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 Nícolas (Nick) Moreno Gonçalves is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Merced, where he studies regenerative agriculture and rural sustainability transitions. His research examines how farmers, intermediaries, and institutions navigate the social, economic, and governance dimensions of agricultural change. He brings an international perspective to this work, having lived and worked in Brazil, Portugal, and the United States. Nícolas is currently on the academic and policy job market seeking opportunities that support resilient rural livelihoods and sustainability transitions in farming systems. To contact Nick, please reach out to him at ngoncalves2@ucmerced.edu. |
Call for Grant Applications: 2026 RSS Annual Meeting
Submission Period through April 20.
RSS, in partnership with its Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee (JEDI), is pleased to announce the availability of grant opportunities to support member participation in the 2026 RSS Annual Meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina. Please visit the following links for details:
https://ruralsociology.org/about-us/awards/caregiver-grant/
https://ruralsociology.org/about-us/awards/jedi-travel-grant/
https://ruralsociology.org/about-us/awards/student-travel-grant/
New: RSS News & Announcements Submission Page
Members now have a dedicated space to share opportunities, updates, and accomplishments with the RSS community. The News & Announcements page features calls for submissions, events, jobs, funding opportunities, and “Members in the News” highlights. If you have an announcement to share, you can now submit it directly through the site—helping us keep the community informed and connected throughout the year.
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Research and Interest Groups are accepting submissions for their annual awards. Members are encouraged to review eligibility, deadlines, and submission guidelines directly on each RIG’s page.
Population - Extended Deadline May 15
SAFRIG - Deadline May 15
Rural Poverty - Deadline July 1
"Rural Justice"
2026 Annual Meeting
July 30 – August 2, 2026 in Raleigh, NC
The annual meeting is fast approaching! Remember to register by June 1st for early rates! Check the website regularly for updates
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Raleigh, North Carolina
A visit to Raleigh, N.C., is more than a trip to just any big city; visitors will experience kindness, charm and local flair with unique Southern hospitality that promises elevated experiences! Raleigh stands as North Carolina’s hub of intellect, culture, cuisine and innovation. This cool capital city offers diverse experiences in food, live music, sports, arts and scenic outdoors—it’s an approachable, inviting and thriving destination for all.
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Important Update: RSS Listserv Discontinuation
The RSS Listserv (RURSOC-L@LSV.UKY.EDU) will be discontinued. This decision reflects our commitment to streamlining communication and ensuring that announcements and updates are shared through the RSS Business Office and official channels.
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Discover RSS on LinkedIn!
Follow the Rural Sociological Society to connect with peers, explore rural research, and stay updated on events and opportunities.
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