Submission Opportunities Discover available presentation and participation formats for the meeting
The Rural Sociological Society (RSS) Annual Meeting invites submissions for presentations, panels, workshops, and fieldtrips that engage with the social, demographic, economic, environmental, and cultural dimensions of rural life. Whether you’re presenting new research, exploring applied practice, or contributing novel teaching strategies, we welcome submissions from scholars, students, and professionals across disciplines.
RSS offers several session and presentation formats suited to different types and stages of scholarly work. Authors should review each session format description and abstract requirement before beginning their submission and select the format(s) that best matches the scope and development of their project. Authors will be asked to identify the preferred session format as well as indicate their willingness to present in any of the alternative formats.
Different types of abstracts are required for different session types. Authors must follow the abstract instructions provided under the description for each format. An extended abstract is required whenever Regular Session, Flash Session, or Organized Invited Panel is selected as either the preferred or an alternative format.
All abstracts will be evaluated based on clarity and significance of the research question(s) or purpose; engagement with rural sociological issues or scholarship; appropriateness and rigor of the data and methods; development and clarity of the findings or argument; contribution to knowledge, policy, teaching, and/or practice; and overall quality and coherence of the submission.
Ready to Participate?
Abstract Submission Regular, Flash, Poster Presentations
Submit your research for consideration as a Regular Presentation, Flash Presentation, or Poster Presentation and share your work with the RSS community.
Regular Presentation
The standard research presentation format. Each session includes up to five presenters, with 12 minutes per presentation followed by time for audience questions. This format suits completed or near-completed research with developed findings. Presenters should plan their talks to fit within the 12-minute limit to ensure enough time for all presenters and allow audience questions. Audio/visual equipment is provided.
ABSTRACT INSTRUCTIONS
Authors are asked to submit both: a) a short abstract (2000 characters, including spaces) which will appear in the Annual Meeting program if accepted for presentation; and b) an extended abstract of 2-4 pages single spaced (the page limit includes tables, figures, and additional supporting materials, but excludes references). The extended abstract should provide enough information for reviewers to assess the project’s purpose, approach, findings, and contributions. Typically, extended abstracts consist of: Background (state the topic/problem, why it is important, and the gap in current knowledge); Research Question(s) or Purpose (identify the main objectives of your study); Methods (describe how you did the research, including your data and approach); Results (share preliminary or completed findings; Conclusion and Significance (state the main takeaway and why this research matters to the field). Examples are available here.
Flash Presentation
A fast-paced format featuring eight presenters, each with 6 minutes to present, followed by time for audience questions. This format works well for a focused research question with one or two main findings. Because more scholars can present in a single session, presenters should prepare a concise talk focusing on the research question, data and methods, and results. Presenters should avoid spending presentation time on background and theory. Audio/visual equipment is provided.
ABSTRACT INSTRUCTIONS
Authors are asked to submit both: a) a short abstract (2000 characters, including spaces) which will appear in the Annual Meeting program if accepted for presentation; and b) an extended abstract of 2-4 pages single spaced (the page limit includes tables, figures, and additional supporting materials, but excludes references). Typically, extended abstracts consist of: Background (state the topic/problem, why it is important, and the gap in current knowledge); Research Question(s) or Purpose (identify the main objectives of your study); Methods (describe how you did the research, including your data and approach); Results (share preliminary or completed findings; Conclusion and Significance (state the main takeaway and why this research matters to the field). Examples are available here.
Poster Presentation
A visual presentation format displayed during a set reception time with refreshments for attendees. Posters typically feature finished or near-complete projects, presented in a graphic format that invites one-on-one or small group conversations with attendees. In addition to findings from research projects, posters may also be used to illustrate data sets with utility for rural research, highlighting their scope, structure, and analytic potential for the broader research community. Posters that illustrate teaching or extension related materials or activities are also welcome. The poster format works well for scholars who want direct, sustained engagement with interested colleagues and for presenting work that benefits from visual display of data or results. Presenters should plan to be present at their posters during the designated session to discuss their work and answer questions. Posters are appropriate for presenters at all career levels. New this year, poster presenters will have the option of having their posters printed for them in advance (presenter pays the printing fee) and ready for them to pick up at the registration desk. Poster awards will be given. No audio/visual equipment is provided.
ABSTRACT INSTRUCTIONS
Authors are asked to submit a short abstract (2000 characters, including spaces) which will appear in the Annual Meeting program if accepted for presentation. The short abstract should be a condensed form of the extended abstract described above. If preliminary findings are not yet available, the author should describe expected findings.
Roundtable Discuss developing scholarship in a small-group setting
A small group format for discussing in-progress research and research proposals. Up to four presenters share their work informally with others seated at the table and receive feedback and suggestions for development. Each presenter will have a total of 15 mins for discussion of their project. The time should be split between the presenter providing an overview of their project and questions and feedback from other table participants. Additional time will be available at the end to return to any of the projects for more discussion. Roundtables are best for scholars who want detailed, conversational input on projects still taking shape rather than a formal podium presentation. This format is well suited for individuals working on grant proposals, book proposals, early-stage dissertation research, papers in early drafting or that do not yet have solid findings, or discussions of new instructional methods in development. No audio/visual equipment is provided. Authors are welcome to provide handouts for attendees or bring their own laptops if they want to share visuals on a screen.
ABSTRACT INSTRUCTIONS
Authors are asked to submit a short abstract (2000 characters, including spaces) which will appear in the Annual Meeting program if accepted for presentation. The abstract should describe the objective of the project, its current stage, and its significance to the field, and state the kind of feedback you are seeking (e.g., framing, research design, analysis, or publication and funding strategy).
Author Meets Readers Explore new books through reader and author discussion
A panel in which several readers discuss one recently published book, with the author(s) present to respond. Panelists offer critical engagement with the book’s arguments, methods, and contributions, and the author replies and takes questions from the audience. No audio/visual equipment is provided.
ABSTRACT INSTRUCTIONS
Abstracts of up to 2000 characters should identify the book to be discussed, summarize the book’s relevance to RSS Annual Meeting attendees, identify the proposed “readers” and their relationship to the topic, and confirm the author’s participation.
Organized Invited Panel Curated panels featuring invited speakers and presentations
An organized session built by a proposer around a common theme. Panels may take the form of a short professional development workshop (for example, on specific data or methods, grant writing, teaching, or career development) or a set of research presentations on a shared topic. Invited panels featuring research talks must include at least four presentations. Proposers are responsible for recruiting participants, setting the format, and coordinating with the invited speakers in advance. The organizer must indicate in their abstract whether audio-visual will be needed for the session. Organizers who do not indicate an audio/visual need may be placed in a room without AV.
ABSTRACT INSTRUCTIONS
Panel organizers are asked to submit both: a) a short abstract (2000 characters, including spaces) which will appear in the Annual Meeting program if accepted for presentation; and b) an extended abstract of 2-4 pages single spaced that provides an overarching description of the session, including its purpose and what the presenters will cover, as well as short abstracts for each presentation that will be part of the panel. The abstract must identify all presenters. Be sure to confirm willingness to present with all proposed presenters prior to submission. An example abstract is available here.
Pre-Meeting Workshop Extended, hands-on learning and professional development opportunities
An extended, in-depth session organized by members and held in the morning or afternoon of Tuesday, July 27 before the main program begins. Workshops run longer than regular sessions or invited panels, giving organizers time for hands-on instruction, skill-building, and/or sustained discussion. Organizers may propose workshops lasting 2 to 4 hours. Workshops should focus on professional development (skill-building) related to research, teaching, extension, or policy engagement—for example, training on a specific data set, method or software; grant proposal writing; novel teaching strategies; communicating research to policymakers; working within rural communities; or career development. Organizers set the length, structure, and enrollment cap, and are responsible for recruiting any co-facilitators and preparing materials. Advance registration is required, and workshops may have minimum and maximum enrollment thresholds. Because these workshops require additional meeting space, they carry an added fee for members who register to participate. The RSS Business Office will confirm the amount with the session organizer before proceeding.
PROPOSAL INSTRUCTIONS
Include the following in your submission.
- Workshop title
- Primary organizer name, affiliation, and email address
- Names, affiliations, and email addresses of all facilitators
- Qualifications of the organizer and facilitators
- Workshop description, including its purpose, learning objectives, and intended audience
- Workshop format and activities, such as instruction, demonstrations, exercises, or facilitated discussion
- Requested length
- Minimum and maximum enrollment
- Materials or technology participants should bring with them
- Audio/visual needs in the session room
- Any materials, software, or other resources the organizers will provide
- Whether you would like to include a meal or snacks as part of the session (an additional fee would apply)
- Assistance requested from the RSS Business Office