Inaugural Rural Research Meeting
A Multi-Day Workshop for Enhancing Your Rural Scholarship
Call for Proposals
July 23 - 25, 2025
To support and enhance rural research across the United States, the University of Mississippi invites scholars from varying disciplines to submit manuscript proposals of no more than 500 words to the Inaugural Rural Research Meeting (RRM) in Oxford, Mississippi. The RRM provides an in-person academic environment to foster rural studies through scholarly and academic exchange amongst those interested in advancing rural research. Through this meeting, we plan to:
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Provide support to those conducting rural research by encouraging individuals to grow in their scholarly writing and thinking
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Allow researchers to embrace new and existing areas of expertise [related to rural topics]
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Advance knowledge through peer review and workshopping ideas with peers and experts in the field
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Enhance rural research through showcasing impactful, innovative research, and creative achievement
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Inform policymakers by suggesting possible policy options and making recommendations for addressing national, regional, and global challenges.
We invite submissions from all areas of rural research which are inclusive of but not limited to sociology, education, health, technology, and policy, among numerous others.
The RRM will include three-day intensive writing workshops, creating opportunities for researchers from various institutions to participate and provide expertise during workshop discussions.
Submissions can be submitted in one of two categories: manuscript development and revision, or research in progress. Scholars at any stage of their career, including graduate students, are encouraged to submit proposals in either category. Accepted papers will be organized into thematic workshops to enable participants to provide constructive feedback to workshop participants. By the end of the three-day workshop, participants will make substantial progress on a draft of the manuscript they present or develop their research idea. Each workshop will be led by subject area experts to guide discussion within each group.
Submission Instructions
Please submit an extended abstract of no more than 500 words to ruralresearchgroup@olemiss.edu by February 1, 2025.
Research In Progress: this category is for scholars who have a research idea that they need to work through with peers or that may benefit from early collaboration with other scholars.
Manuscript Development: This category is for scholars who will be ready to submit a draft manuscript for feedback from their peers just before start of RRM.
Timeline:
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February 1, 2025 Submissions due
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March 1, 2025 Notification of acceptance
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July 10, 2025 Rough drafts due to organizers
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July 23-25, 2025 Conference presentation and workshops
Registration Information:
Early Bird Registration by June 1, 2025.
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Institutional/University Professionals $150
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Graduate Students $75
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Community Members $75
Registration costs include:
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Opening Welcome Dinner
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Breakfast and lunch for workshop days 2 and 3
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Rural Research Networking Reception
Questions and More Information
If you have questions or would like to receive more information, please contact the planning team at ruralresearchgroup@olemiss.edu.