CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR 2013-2016 EDITOR of The Rural Sociologist (TRS)
Editor Solicitation
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR 2013-2016 EDITOR of The Rural Sociologist (TRS)
The former RSS Professional Communications Committee was charged with reviewing the status and the future of TRS. The committee found that TRS provides three core functions: 1) newsletter, 2) commentary, and 3) governance. In its review, the committee debated whether or not RSS actually needed to continue publishing TRS. In its July 2012 meeting, the RSS Council reviewed the options, including discontinuing TRS. No firm decision was reached. However, the Publications Committee was charged to issue a call for the TRS Editor as a way of gauging if there is interest in continuing TRS in one form or another. The current editor, Professor Kenneth Pigg is retiring. The RSS Business Office does not have the staff support to take on the editorial function.
The Rural Sociological Society (RSS) Publications Committee requests proposals from current members of RSS to serve as the 2013-2016 Editor of The Rural Sociologist (TRS). TRS is presently a quarterly publication that contains news of activities of the Rural Sociological Society Council, RSS committees, RSS research interest groups (RIGs) and RSS members. Also included has been an editorial column and information of interest to rural sociologists found in a number of sources related to rural policy, research funding, and outreach programs. Short papers, including historical notes about RSS, have at times been published.
Further information about TRS may be found at: http://www.ruralsociology.org/?page_id=112.
The Editor of TRS is responsible for soliciting and preparing content. The overall impact goals, role and format of TRS will be shaped by the new editor. The three-year appointment begins January 2013. RSS does not pay for office space or release time. Letters from deans and other institutional authorities are not required or recommended at this time. We welcome proposals that take seriously the idea that TRS is in a time of transition and that new thinking about the role electronic media might play in keeping the RSS informed and in promoting the RSS externally. Applicants may want to contact retiring TRS Editor Kenneth Pigg to better understand the demands and responsibilities of the position. A comprehensive report on the history of TRS prepared by RSS historian Prof Julie Zimmerman is available as a pdf file upon request. A stipend would be considered.
Applicants are invited to submit:
1. A curriculum vitae (no page limit)
2. A vision statement (5 page limit) that includes:
a. evidence of understanding the mission of the Rural Sociological Society across the spectrum of activities in which RSS is engaged and a clear vision of the role TRS will play in that mission
b. an assessment of the status of TRS(strengths and challenges) and a vision for the future of TRS
c. evidence of organizational skill and leadership in the field
d. evidence of the feasibility for the Editor to fulfill their three-year commitment to TRS
e. proposed budget, indicating estimates of budget needs and sources of support (e.g., support from host department and institution, RSS Business Office)
The RSS publications committee chaired by Professors Grigsby and Glenna will review applications and make a recommendation to the RSS Council. Send applications as file attachments to Co-Chairs of RSS Publications Committee: Mary Grigsby, Department of Rural Sociology, 228 Gentry Hall, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211 (email grigsbym@missouri.edu) and Leland Glenna, Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology and Education, Pennsylvania State University, 105-C Armsby, University Park, PA 16802, (email llg13@psu.edu ).
Deadline is October 15, 2013.
