Inside the Business Office
Celebrate the Season of Giving with RSS -
As the holidays approach, we’re reminded of the power of community and generosity. This year, Giving Tuesday (December 2) offers a special opportunity to make a lasting impact on rural scholarship.
Why Your Gift Matters
The Rural Sociological Society (RSS) is committed to advancing research and dialogue that strengthen rural communities worldwide. Your donation helps us:
- Support Student Travel – Ensure emerging scholars can attend our annual meeting and share their work.
- Fund Diversity Initiatives – Provide resources for underrepresented voices in rural sociology.
- Grow Research & Interest Groups (RIGs) – Sustain collaborative spaces for focused rural issues.
- Expand Access to Childcare at Conferences – Make participation possible for parent scholars.
Ways To Give
- Donate online: Make a Donation at https://ruralsociology.org/
- Contribute to specific funds: Student Travel, Diversity Travel, Endowment, or RIG support.
- Consider a gift membership for a student or colleague.
Special Giving Tuesday Challenge
Every dollar counts! Whether it’s $25 or $250, your contribution helps us build a more inclusive and vibrant RSS community. Many employers offer matching gift programs—check with yours to amplify your impact.
Your Impact
Your generosity fuels scholarships, research, and programs that shape rural futures. Together, we can make this holiday season a time of opportunity and hope for scholars everywhere.
Warm regards,
Suzanne Bevan
Executive Director
sbevan@ruralsociology.org
Ashley Smedley
Account Representative
asmedley@ruralsociology.org
Announcements
RSS Leadership Nominations
Nominations are due November 30, 2025
Award Submissions
Submissions are due December 3, 2025
Call for Submissions
Conference and Special Issue of The Milbank Quarterly
“How Policy Contexts Impact Population Health in the United States”
The Center for Aging and Policy Studies (CAPS) and the Center for Policy Research (CPR) will host a conference on June 8 and 9, 2026 at Syracuse University to advance knowledge on the connections between policies and population health in a changing U.S. context. In conjunction with the CAPS-CPR conference, The Milbank Quarterly will publish a special issue in 2027. The conference and special issue seek empirical, methodological, and theoretical contributions on the topic. Of particular interest are papers that link changes and variation in policy contexts to health outcomes, identify mechanisms linking policies to outcomes, or propose new ways to measure and conceptualize policy contexts for health research. Authors intending to submit a paper to The Milbank Quarterly special issue are strongly encouraged to submit an abstract of the paper by January 15, 2026 for presentation at the CAPS-CPR conference to be held June 8-9, 2026 at Syracuse University. Up to 15 papers will be selected for the conference. The goal of the conference is to significantly strengthen each paper before its submission to the special issue. The first author of each paper will be a 2026 CAPS-CPR Conference Fellow and will receive (1) reimbursement of travel expenses up to $1500, (2) feedback and suggestions from an assigned discussant and other conference fellows, and (3) a detailed written review by a guest editor of the special issue (Pinka Chatterji, Shannon M. Monnat, and Jennifer Karas Montez). Presentation at the conference is not a requirement for submitting a paper to the special issue.
Application instructions and more information can be found below:
Special Issues & Research
Special Issue: International Journal of Comparative Sociology
“A Post-Coffee Crisis World?: Comparative Experiences of Production, Development, and Livelihoods across the 21st Century Global Coffee Belt”
Upcoming Dates
Nominations are due November 30th: https://ruralsociology.org/nominations/
Award Submissions are due December 3rd: https://ruralsociology.org/about-us/awards/
Abstract Submissions Open: December 15, 2025
Abstract Submissions Close: February 15, 2026
RSS Annual Meeting
July 30 - Aug 2, 2026
Raleigh, North Carolina
Job Postings
Assistant Professor in Environmental Social Science
Utah State University
The Department of Environment and Society (ENVS) at Utah State University (USU) invites applications by environmental social scientists for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position. We welcome a variety of areas of scholarly expertise that build on or complement departmental strengths.
Assistant Professor of Sociology (Open Specialty)
Western Kentucky University
Questions can be directed to Marcus Brooks at marcus.brooks@wku.edu
Rural Health Expert
Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University is hiring a rural health expert with national experience, to lead research that explores public health disparities and demographic changes in rural communities in the US and their impacts on agricultural productivity, regional and/or national food security. Example focus areas could be food access and nutrition security in rural communities, rural mental health, and environmental and occupational health in rural communities.
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
SUNY Oneonta
Fall 2026 marks an exciting opening for a visionary scholar in the Department of Sociology, Human Services, and Crime Studies at the State University of New York at Oneonta as an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice. Expectations include, but are not limited to teaching, research, student advisement, service, and continuing professional development.
Tenure-Track Sociologist
Auburn University
The Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology (DAERS) in the College of Agriculture at Auburn University invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position in Rural Sociology. The planned start date for the position is August 2026. This position is a 9-month tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor. The allocation of effort of this position is 40% teaching and 60% research.
For more information or to apply, please visit the following job posting -https://www.auemployment.com/postings/56553
Assistant Professor of Sociology
University of Maine
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SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT
Presenting at the RSS Annual Meeting is a valuable opportunity to share your work, receive feedback, and connect with a vibrant community of rural sociologists and allies.
Abstract Submissions Open: December 15, 2025
Abstract Submissions Close: February 15, 2026
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