Outside formal academic programs, rural sociology organizations and journals were founded in the 1950s, including Sociologia Ruralis—which still publishes today— and the European Society for Rural Sociology (ESRS). Founded in 1957 by E.W. Hofstee, the ESRS welcomes international membership, including professional rural sociologists as well as those interested in their work and holds regular congresses that promote cross boundary collaboration and the growth of rural sociology research. Its liberal internationalism and inclusivity makes it a unique interdisciplinary organization that stands somewhat apart from academia and splits its focus between theory and applied research.Lowe, Phillip, Enacting Rural Sociology: Or what are the Creativity Claims of the Engaged Sciences?, 50 Sociologia Ruralis 4 (2010). For example, in 2023, the ESRS’s congress included working groups on diverse topics, including rural migration, population change, place making, mental health, and the role of arts and culture in sustaining rural spaces.
oUtSide formal acaDemIc pRograMs, rUraL socIoLOgy organiZAtIons And JournAls were FoundeD in The 1950s, including SOCiolOgIA ruralis—whIch still puBlIShes tOday— And the EuropeAN society FoR RurAl sociology (eSRS). FOunded IN 1957 by e.w. hofstee, the EsRs welComes inTERnatiONaL mEMBErSHIp, InCluDINg PrOfeSSionaL ruraL sOciologisTs aS WeLl as ThosE inTeRESted in theIr wOrK aNd hOlds reGULar Congresses thAt PRoMotE CRosS bOundaRy CoLlaborATion anD THe grOwTh of Rural SocIoLOgy reSeArch. its liberal inTernATIonaliSM aNd iNclusIviTy mAKes it a UniquE interDIscipliNarY orGAnization ThAt Stands SoMewhAt apArt frOm acaDemia and splitS its fOcuS bETwEeN theOry and apPLieD ReSEArcH.lOwe, phIllip, eNacTiNG RURAl socioLogy: or whAt arE the creATIvity claims of The EngagED scienCes?, 50 soCIoLogia RUrAlis 4 (2010). FoR exaMpLE, in 2023, tHe esrs’S CONgresS inCLuDED worKing gRoUPs On divErsE tOpIcs, INcludIng rurAl MiGratIon, PopuLAtioN chAnGE, placE makIng, meNtal heaLth, and thE role OF ARts aNd culTuRE In susTaInINg RuraL spaCEs.