Breaking walls, building bridges: expanding the presence and relevance of rural sociology

• Published in: Rural sociology Vol. 70; no. 1; pp. 1 - 27
• Main Author: Beaulieu, L.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2005; Rural Sociological Society
• Subjects: Applied Sociology; Bridges; Knowledge; Knowledge management; Land Grant Universities; Organizations; Professional associations; Relevance; Rural and urban sociology; Rural areas; rural policy; Rural Schools; Rural Sociological Society; Rural Sociology; Sociology; State policy; Suburban Schools; Viability; Rural Sociology; Association; Research; Partnership
• ISSN: 0036-0112; 1549-0831
• DOI: 10.1526/0036011053294655

Rural areas continue to face a series of challenges; many are likely to have profound impacts on the vitality of these places over the long term. Of central concern is whether the rural sociological enterprise, a potentially vital source of information and guidance on such diverse issues, will be able to effectively respond to such challenges. The author argues that in order to strengthen its relevance and viability in coming years, the rural sociological profession must embrace three important shifts. First, it must modify the manner in which it engages in the production of new knowledge by pursuing a more balanced portfolio of investments in disciplinary and transdisciplinary research. Second, it must take a bold step to build bridges to new entities whose missions, goals, and values closely align with those of the Rural Sociological Society. And third, it must take a more proactive role in generating quality, scientifically sound information that is aligned with the needs of federal and state policy communities, particularly information that can better articulate how policies are likely to impact rural people and places.