Graduate Research Assistantship
Department Of Agricultural Economics And Rural Sociology
Auburn University
Posted January 14, 2009

Graduate Research Assistantship in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology (DAERS) at Auburn University is currently available to a qualified and highly motivated candidate interested in agrifood system governance. This project will focus on the formal and informal rules that create barriers and/or provide opportunities for "alternative" or "sustainable" agrifood sector producers, their families, and the communities in which they live, as well as consumers.

This assistantship will provide at least two years of funding and a tuition waver contingent upon successful academic and work performance. The appointment may start as early as Summer 2009 or may begin Fall 2009.

Expectations

• Use multiple methods of data collection and analysis such as face-to-face interviews, archival research, and surveys, as well as ethnographic, content, and statistical analysis.
• Periodic overnight travel for data collection and associated activities, as well as the presentation of research results.
• Prepare manuscripts and presentations for academic and outreach audiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• An interest in any combination of the following topical areas: sustainable or alternative production and consumption, local food systems/civic agriculture, and/or land use planning/conflict (e.g., agriculture v. commercial or residential development).
• At least a completed BS/BA degree by the time of the appointment.
• Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills.
• Ability to work and to travel independently.
• If not currently enrolled, the candidate must be admitted to a graduate degree program at Auburn University.

Application Process

• Please submit a letter of interest that that details your qualifications including your GPA and GRE scores, as well as a statement of your interests and goals as they relate to alternative/sustainable agrifood system governance and related topical areas. Please also submit a copy of your transcripts, C.V., and three letters of recommendations to:

  Dr. Michelle R. Worosz
  Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology
  Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology
  306A Comer Hall, Auburn University, AL 36849-5406
  Phone: 334.844.5682; Fax: 334.844.5639
  Email: michelle_worosz@auburn.edu

• Information regarding application to The Graduate School and DEARS can be found at http://www.grad.auburn.edu/ and http://www.ag.auburn.edu/agec/grad/, respectively.
• Review of applications will begin March 15, 2009 and will continue until a suitable candidate has been found.

"Training in Sustainable Sciences Through an Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Rural Sociology (IGPRS)"
Posted October 5, 2008

Fellowship Opportunity for Master's Students Global warming, biotechnology, obesity and famine, loss of farmland, water shortages, organic and local food systems, the loss of rare animal species, fair trade coffee, deforestation, geopolitical struggles over oil and gas supplies, and desertification - these are some of the major issues of our time. They raise important questions about how we should organize the relationships between people, society and the natural resources and environments upon which they depend. The Training in Sustainable Sciences Through an Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Rural Sociology (IGPRS), a new fellowship opportunity addresses these and many other topical issues. The program will cultivate a new and diverse generation of scholars committed to and capable of a broad understanding of the four primary dimensions of food and agricultural systems: social responsibility, environmental compatibility, economic viability, and production efficiency.

The goal of the master's degree fellowship is to train skilled, engaged, committed scholars who will make use of and contribute to the food and agricultural system by engaging in basic and applied interdisciplinary research and policy making and analysis. It is targeted at two primary audiences: those wishing to pursue a career in food, agricultural, and environmental sciences; and those wishing to do further academic study and research on these topics.

The fellowship opportunity is distinctive in several ways:
- First, it builds on the concept of the ecological paradigm, which considers the whole spectrum of approaches to food, agricultural, and environmental systems - consisting of social responsibility, environmental compatibility, economic viability, and production efficiency.
- Secondly, the IGPRS makes the connections between the dimensions of the paradigm and social spheres where innovation, adoption and policy-making appear - such as production, distribution and consumption.
- Finally, the program is highly interdisciplinary and will expose students to ideas and practices developed in a range of subject areas rather than one alone.

The Social Responsibility Initiative (SRI) invites recent undergraduate degree holders in the fields of sociology, agriculture, economics, biological and environmental sciences and other related fields to apply for a two-year master's degree fellowship in Rural Sociology focused on the interdisciplinary nature of food, agricultural, and environmental issues.

The IGPRS fellowships cover tuition, stipend ($18,000 per year), and benefits for the duration of a 2-year master's program in Rural Sociology. Academic standards must be met to maintain eligibility. One fellowships is available for studies beginning Fall, 2009. Fellowships are restricted to U.S. citizens or nationals of the United States. Candidates must have completed their bachelor's degree by the time of appointment. For application materials go to the Ohio State University Graduate School admissions website at http://gradadmissions.osu.edu/. As part of the application process, you will be asked to send your transcripts, three letters of reference, and a statement of interest in this fellowship opportunity directly to the Rural Sociology Graduate Studies Committee Chair (208 Ag. Admin. Building, 2120 Fyffe Rd., Columbus OH 43210-1067).

Additional information is available about the SRI and the Rural Sociology Graduate Program by visiting: http://www.sri.osu.edu and http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~hcrd/rural_sociology/index.php

For more information about admission to the Rural Sociology Graduate Program, contact: Professor Linda Lobao, Rural Sociology Graduate Studies Committee Chair (lobao.1@osu.edu).

For additional information about the IGPRS fellowships, contact: Molly Bean Smith, Research Associate, Social Responsibility Initiative (bean.21@osu.edu).

Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program
Posted September 23, 2008

A little known, but well-funded program for graduate students interested in marine or Great Lakes issues...

The Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program is a National Sea Grant sponsored federal fellows program that provides a unique educational experience to students who have an interest in marine/ocean/Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. The program matches highly qualified graduate students with hosts in the legislative branch, executive branch, or appropriate associations/institutions located in the Washington, D.C. area for a one-year paid fellowship ($34,000 stipend). An additional $8,000 will be used to cover mandatory health insurance for fellows, moving expenses, academic degree-related and fellowship-related travel.

For more detailed information about host offerings, selection process, and the placement process in Washington D.C., please visit the National Sea Grant Knauss site at http://www.seagrant.noaa.gov/knauss/knauss.html

Fellowship Opportunity

Training Future Faculty in Sustainable Sciences through an
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Rural Sociology (IPPRS)
Posted January 8, 2008
Updated June 27, 2008

Global warming, biotechnology, obesity and famine, loss of farmland, water shortages, organic and local food systems, the loss of rare animal species, fair trade coffee, deforestation, geopolitical struggles over oil and gas supplies, and desertification - these are some of the major issues of our time. They raise important questions about how we should organize the relationships between people, society and the natural resources and environments upon which they depend. The Training Future Faculty in Sustainable Sciences Through an Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program in Rural Sociology (IPPRS), a new fellowship opportunity addresses these and many other topical issues. The program will cultivate a new and diverse generation of scholars committed to and capable of a broad understanding of the four primary dimensions of food and agricultural systems: social responsibility, environmental compatibility, economic viability, and production efficiency. The fellowship will develop outstanding Ph.D. graduates able to conduct groundbreaking research in the food and agricultural sciences to remain competitive in the knowledge-based society. Fellows will be well-suited for leadership roles in academia.

The fellowship opportunity is distinctive in several ways:

• First, it builds on the concept of the ecological paradigm, which considers the whole spectrum of approaches to food, agricultural, and environmental systems - consisting of social responsibility, environmental compatibility, economic viability, and production efficiency.
• Secondly, the IPPRS makes the connections between the dimensions of the paradigm and social spheres where innovation, adoption and policy-making appear - such as production, distribution and consumption.
• Finally, the program is highly interdisciplinary and will expose students to ideas and practices developed in a range of subject areas rather than one alone.

The Social Responsibility Initiative (SRI) invites recent master's degree holders in the fields of sociology, rural sociology, agriculture, economics, biological and environmental sciences and other related fields to apply for a three-year doctoral fellowship in Rural Sociology focused on the interdisciplinary nature of food, agricultural, and environmental issues.

The IPPRS fellowships cover tuition, stipend ($24,000 per year), and benefits for the duration of a 3-year doctoral program in Rural Sociology. Academic standards must be met to maintain eligibility. Two fellowships are available for studies beginning Fall 2009. Applications are due December 31, 2008.

Fellowships are restricted to U.S. citizens or nationals of the United States. Candidates must have completed their master's degree by the time of appointment. For application materials go to the Ohio State University Graduate School admissions website at http://gradadmissions.osu.edu/. As part of the application process, you will be asked to send your transcripts, three letters of reference, and a statement of interest in the field of rural sociology and this fellowship opportunity directly to the Rural Sociology Graduate Studies Committee Chair (208 Ag. Admin. Building, 2120 Fyffe Rd., Columbus OH 43210-1067).

Additional information is available about the SRI and the Rural Sociology Graduate Program by visiting:
http: //www.sri.osu.edu and
http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~hcrd/rural_sociology/index.php

For more information about admission to the Rural Sociology Graduate Program, contact:
Professor Linda Lobao, Rural Sociology Graduate Studies Committee Chair (lobao.1@osu.edu).

For additional information about the IPPRS fellowship, contact: Molly Bean Smith, Research Associate, Social Responsibility Initiative (bean.21@osu.edu).

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences
Graduate Research Assistantship
Posted August 13, 2007

Funding is available for a Ph.D. candidate to work in a vibrant, transdisciplinary environment in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Cross-campus curriculum and interaction is encouraged (see UIUC Human Dimensions of Environmental Systems program http://www.environ.uiuc.edu/hdes/). Students with any combination of the following interests are encouraged to apply:

• natural resource social science
• rural sociology
• human dimensions of bio-exploration
• traditional and local ecological knowledge
• human dimensions of ecosystem disturbance
• community aspects of risk, hazards, and disasters.

Research Assistantships for selected incoming 2007-2008 or 2008-2009 graduate student(s) will be associated with an EPA-funded project on the impacts of climate change on tribal berry resources in Alaska, particularly emphasizing the bioactive health properties of berries and the role of local knowledge, risk perception, and community participatory activities. Students with interests and background in the interaction between biophysical sciences (vegetation and climate) and social sciences are preferred. The financial support package includes an 11-month stipend and a tuition and fee waiver. A position is available as early as January 2008. Applicants must meet departmental criteria for admission. If interested, please contact Dr. Courtney Flint, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences, cflint@uiuc.edu. Department webpage is available at www.nres.uiuc.edu. For more information on applying, please go to www.nres.uiuc.edu/graduate/application-info.html.

Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology
Penn State University.

Graduate Certificate in Community and Economic Development. This graduate level certificate program is designed to build a basic level of knowledge and skills required for practitioners in towns, small cities, rural and developing areas to address the important issues involved in community and economic development. Contact, World Campus, Penn State University, 207 Mitchell Bldg., University Park, PA 16802-3601. 1-800-252-3592 (US), 1-814-865-5403 (international) psuwd@psu.edu