2026 Annual Meeting July 30 - August 2, 2026 - Raleigh, NC
Each year, the Rural Sociological Society brings together a diverse and passionate community of scholars, students, practitioners, and policy professionals to explore the social dimensions of rural life—locally and globally. The RSS Annual Meeting is more than just a conference: it’s a space for exchanging ideas, forging collaborations, and advancing the field of rural sociology.
Join us in Raleigh July 29 – August 2, 2026 as we gather to share research, develop networks, and engage with the pressing issues facing rural communities today. Whether you’re presenting new findings, attending your first professional meeting, or reconnecting with colleagues, we welcome you to be part of the conversation.
Ready to Participate?
Get Ready for the 2026 Meeting:
Conference Theme
“Rural Justice”
A great deal of rural sociological scholarship is motivated by a desire for fairness and justice. Our discussions of food justice, environmental justice, energy justice, and just transitions are just a few examples of this. Many pursue scholarship that informs advocacy for rural communities and their residents. Some of that advocacy—often framed in relation to uneven development or spatial inequality—implicates comparisons to urban and suburban places, as we seek to measure or establish whether rural people and their communities are getting their fair share of resources from higher scales of government. Some of this advocacy is for justice within rural communities, attending to the varied and diverse populations of a given place and the myriad bases on which some are disadvantaged within that place or region. Still other work stretches across borders, considering fairness and justice in relation to migration and other global processes. Yet, in spite of significant justice rhetoric, another key field that explores these themes—law and legal scholarship—remains largely untapped and under-engaged by most rural sociologists.
MoreFor Students & First-Time Attendees
Don’t miss the welcome breakfast hosted by the RSS Council—an opportunity to connect early, meet mentors, and build your professional network. Student rates are available, and travel support donations help make this possible.
Optional Field Trips on July 30
Stay tuned for field trip details.
What to Expect
A high-level look at how the week unfolds:
Wednesday, July 29
Field trips, early networking, informal gatherings, presidential address, opening reception.
Thursday, July 30
Opening sessions, keynote, concurrent panels
Friday, July 31
Student programming, poster sessions, Research and Interest Group meetings
Saturday, August 1
Awards luncheon, closing panels & community events
Save the Date
2027 Annual Meeting
July 26 – 31, 2027
Kansas City, MO
The Westin Kansas City at Crown Center
Why Attend?
The RSS Annual Meeting offers more than sessions and schedules—it’s a gathering of people committed to understanding and shaping the future of rural communities through rigorous research and inclusive dialogue.
Whether you’re a seasoned scholar or attending your first conference, the meeting provides:
Scholarly Exchange: Present your work, engage with current research, and receive meaningful feedback from peers who care deeply about rural issues.
Networking & Mentorship: Build relationships with rural sociologists, interdisciplinary collaborators, and potential mentors from across the country—and beyond.
Impact Beyond Academia: Connect with researchers, practitioners, and policy professionals working to apply rural sociological insights to real-world challenges.
Student & Early-Career Support: Dedicated programming for students and emerging scholars, including poster sessions, awards, and mentoring opportunities.
Community & Recognition: Celebrate achievements in the field, learn from award-winning scholarship, and join a society rooted in shared purpose.
Each year, attendees leave with new ideas, lasting connections, and a deeper sense of belonging to a professional community dedicated to rural well-being.
Location & Venue
The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Rural Sociological Society will take place in Raleigh, North Carolina, which blends Southern charm with cutting-edge innovation.
Conveniently situated near the heart of the Research Triangle, this hotel offers easy access to Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, placing guests close to top universities, tech hubs, and cultural attractions.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Raleigh
Durham Research Triangle
📍 201 Harrison Oaks Boulevard, Cary, North Carolina, 27513
Dates: July 30 – August 2, 2026
As the state capital and a cornerstone of the Research Triangle, it offers a vibrant mix of historic landmarks, world-class universities, thriving tech industries, and lush green spaces—making it a dynamic place to live, work, and explore.
