Research and Interest Groups (RIGs)

What are Research and Interest Groups? Research and Interest Groups (RIGs) reflect the substantive interests of RSS Members and serve as an important avenue for connecting members with similar interests.  RIGs serve a critical role in RSS including identifying, developing, and recruiting for the annual RSS conference; planning special events, speakers, and field trips for the annual conference; providing intellectual leadership in their respective areas; rewarding achievement through internal awards and recognitions; and creating opportunities for members, particularly graduate students, to network and identify colleagues with similar interests. 

To find out more about each RSS Research and Interest Group (RIG) simply click on the title below or contact the leader of the RIG. If you are interested in proposing a new RIG and know at least 6 RSS members who share your interests, contact the current Vice President with your idea.  Tim Slack is the 2024-25 VP and his e-mail address is: [email protected]

Click on the RIG's title for more information.  Click here for information about RIG dues. Click here for information on the RIG Manual. 

 

 

RIG Name Chairs Title Emails
Applied and Extension Shriya Rangarajan Chair [email protected]; [email protected]
  Erin Trouba Co-Chair [email protected]
Community, Health, and Family Minh Anh Ly Co-Chair [email protected] 
  KC Vick Cunningham Co-Chair [email protected] 
  Annabel Ispen Co-Chair [email protected] 
Natural Resources Joshua Fergen Co-Chair [email protected]
  Kelly Wilson Co-Chair [email protected]
Population Samuel Mindes Chair [email protected]
Gender and Sexualities Jean Bohaczek  Co-Chair [email protected]
  Hazel Valasco Palacios Co-Chair [email protected]
International Development and Studies Fridah Mubichi-Kut  Co-Chair [email protected]; [email protected]  
  Francisco Reyes Student Chair [email protected]
  Djeynaba Ba  Co-Chair [email protected] 
Rural Law and Justice Emma Scott Chair [email protected]
Rural Policy Kayleigh Ward  Chair [email protected]
  Presley Powers Chair-Elect [email protected]
Rural Poverty Aimee Imlay Co-Chair [email protected]
  Kristina Brant Co-Chair [email protected] 
Rural Race and Ethnicity Morgan Montanez Chair [email protected]
The Elders Stephen Gasteyer Chair [email protected]  
Sociology of Agriculture and Food (SAFRIG) Emily Southard Co-Chair [email protected]
  Chris Morris Co-Chair [email protected]
  Hazel Valasco Palacios Co-Chair elect [email protected]
  McKayla Robinette Co-Chair elect [email protected]
Teaching and Curriculum Sonja Lindberg Co-Chair [email protected]
  Michael Branch Co-Chair [email protected]
Youth, Education, and Rural Vitality Julia Miller  Chair [email protected]