Category Archives: About IRSA

New IRSA board

A new IRSA board has been elected.

President: Sally Shortall, University of Newcastle
Treasurer: Raymond Jussaume, Michigan State University
Members:
– Leif Jensen, Pennsylvania State University
– Keiko Tanaka, University of Kentucky
– Jan Flora, Iowa State University
– Carla Gras, National University of General San Martín
– Sergio Schneider, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul,
– Myriam Paredes
– Dr Sarina Kilham, Charles Sturt University
– Dr Rudi Messner, Queensland University of Technology
– Prof Hugh Campbell, University of Otago
– Joost Dessein, University of Gent  
– Ruth McAreavey, University of Newcastle
– Ilona Matysiak, Maria Grzegorzewska University Warsaw
– Fatmanil Doner, Istanbul Medenyet University
– Francesca Galli, University of Pisa
– Motoki Akitsu, Kyoto University
– Lutgarda Tolentino, University of Queensland
– Muhammad Saleh S. Ali
– Koichi Igegami, Kindai University

Board member bios will be posted to the website.

Statement on the 2021 XV World Congress of Rural Sociology

As previously announced, the IRSA Council recently decided unanimously to postpone the XV World Congress in Cairns due to COVID-19.  The XV World Congress is now scheduled for July 6th through the 10th of 2021 in Cairns, Australia. The venue remains the Pullman Cairns International Hotel.

We will maintain the basic program framework that was originally developed. All sessions and abstracts accepted for IRSA 2020 will be transferred to the provisional program for IRSA 2021. However, spaces will be available for additional oral presentations. We anticipate that the Congress organizers will be able to welcome new abstract submissions beginning June 30th.

We ask those who want to attend the Congress as a presenter to visit the Congress website at https://www.irsa2021.com/.

The Congress website provides new time-lines for registration for those who have not registered yet and other important information such as for entry visas and ETAS, accommodations, and so on.

The spread of COVID-19 has highlighted various problems, which are hidden behind conventional socio-economic systems. As for agriculture and rural society, challenges such as vulnerability of current agri-food systems, social exclusion and prejudice to poor and essential workers, frowning on the weak, concentration of disasters or calamity just same as bioconcentration have all been made more apparent. COVID-19 is forcing us to reconsider relations between global and local, central governments and local governments, rural and urban societies. We need serious reflection and a bold transformation of conventional socio-economic systems, including agri-food systems, which until now have been based on the principles of efficiency and profit maximization through selection and concentration.

At the 2021 Congress, I am sure there will be a lot of studies about the impacts of COVID-19 and perspectives post or with new Corona virus. I hope for an aggressive discussion on these on-going issues in Cairns.

Koichi Ikegami

President of IRSA

IRSA General Assembly, August 13 2016

International Rural Sociology Association
General Assembly
Toronto, Canada
Saturday, August 13, 2016 (11am – 1pm)

Outgoing President Geoff Lawrence opened the General Assembly by welcoming all those present. President Lawrence then reported to the Assembly that the IRSA Council had voted unanimously to accept the Nigerian Rural Sociology Association (NRSA) as an “Associate Organization” under article 3 of the IRSA Constitution. A representative who was in attendance stood up to thank IRSA and to invite all IRSA members to attend the upcoming NRSA meeting in October.

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New President Identifies Priorities for IRSA

Ikegami PhotoProfessor Koichi Ikegami has been elected President of IRSA for 2016-2020. Professor Ikegami is based in the Faculty of Agriculture at Kindai University, Nara, Japan. His scholarly work embraces the areas of food, agriculture, fair trade and community sustainability. He has held many important and influential roles over the past few decades including President of the Asian Rural Sociology Association and President of the Japanese Association for Rural Studies. He has also been a regional representative on the Council of IRSA. He has outlined his vision for IRSA which can read here.

Off-Cycle Council Meeting July 15, 2014

Off-Cycle Council Meeting
International Rural Sociology Association
Yokohama, Japan
July 15, 2014

The council meeting was called to order by President Lawrence at 13:05 without a quorum present. Those representatives present included:
a. Geoff Lawrence (President)
b. Koichi Ikegami (ARSA)
c. Keith Moore (RSS)
d. Kasimis Charalambos (ESRS)
e. Mark Shucksmith (ESRS)
f. Roger Wilkinson (AON)
g. Elizabeth Ransom (RSS)
h. Mustafa Koc (Toronto Local Arrangements Chair)
i. Ray Jussaume (Secretary-Treasurer)
President Lawrence reviewed the meeting process and agenda with those in attendance. He also shared apologies from various representatives who could not make the meeting.

Representatives were asked by the President if they had any additions to the agenda. There were none.

The minutes from the incoming 2012 Council Meeting were discussed. Roger Wilkinson noted that Shaunna Scott is a member of RSS and not ESRS.
Keith Moore made a motion to accept the 2012 minutes. Mustafa Koc seconded. The minutes were unanimously accepted. A formal vote to accept the minutes will be done by e-mail by President Lawrence.

Update from Representatives of Member Associations – AON, ARSA, ESRS, and RSS. No one was present from ALASRU and thus no announcement was made on behalf of ALASRU. Roger Wilkinson reported for AON. AON at the moment is not highly organized. There has been no activity over the past year, especially with departure of Frank Vanclay, founder of AON, from Australia to the Netherlands. The desire for something still exists. It might be possible to ask the Australasian Agri-food Research Network (AFRN) to take over leadership of the representation of this area to IRSA. Ray Jussaume made a suggestion that Roger Wilkinson talk with the other AON representatives and come up with a proposal regarding the future for Australasian/Oceanic representation on IRSA council. As there is no quorum, no official motion was made. There was a consensus that this should be done.

Koichi Ikegami stated that ARSA will have its fifth conference in September in Vientianne, Laos. President Lawrence will attend and give a keynote address. There have been 172 papers submitted and the organizers are expecting 150 attendees. East Timor, Samoa and Kazakhstan all will have attendees for the first time. The theme of the Congress will be “From Challenges to a Prosperous Rural Area.” Challenges include disaster management, as well as on the role of community in rural development. A conference proceedings will be produced and distributed.

Kasimis Charalambos reported that last year’s ESRS congress was in Florence. The next congress will be in Aberdeen in August 2015. Everyone is invited. ESRS is now going through a re-structuring. Sociologia Ruralis has a new editor and there will be a new editorial board. ESRS will also be organizing several standing research committees. Sally Shortall is in charge of this new effort. The next summer school will be in Avignon, France. Information on the summer school is posted on IRSA web site. ESRS is excited about expanding its activities, as well as strengthening contacts with IRSA and RSS. Mustafa Koc inquired about the theme of the Congress. Kasimis Charalambos replied that a call for convenors will go out this month. ESRS is also working to update its web site.

Elizabeth Ransom reported for RSS. RSS is doing well, but Ralph Brown is seriously ill and the Society is working on trying to keep the transition as smooth as possible. The Society has re-signed with Riley-Blackwell to publish the journal. Steve Sapp is the incoming editor of Rural Sociology. Cynthia Struthers will be the new executive director in 2015. RSS is interested in improving relations with ESRS. The coming year will be a transition year. This year’s meeting is in New Orleans. In two years, the meeting will be in Toronto. The meetings next year (2015) will be in Madison.

Possible Bids for IRSA 2020 World Congress (Stewart Lockie)

The possibility of Cairns, Australia, as a site for the IRSA 2020 Congress was discussed. The Cairns Institute has expressed interest in hosting the World Congress. And, President Lawrence has begun discussions with people at the Institute about the possibility. Cairns has good transportation access as it is a world tourist destination. The Institute is more focused on the tropical world. So, this WOULD influence what the theme of the plenaries and special events should be – i.e. the tropical world. We are looking for stronger participation from the Pacific Region. We would also need to identify a program chair. The Institute would want to focus on local arrangements. Elizabeth Ransom asked if there are any folks in the area who might be interested in serving on the scientific team. Geoff Lawrence believes there may be people in Australian Sociological Association who would be interested. He noted that this is but a preliminary discussion. Keith stated that this should afford an opportunity to also incorporate African issues into the program. Mark Shucksmith wondered if the Institute would “buy in.” The council looks forward to a formal proposal in two years’ time at its next meeting.

Budget Update – Including Dues Payable (Ray)

Ray presented the current budget. It was noted that the primary expenditure for IRSA is maintaining the web site. Roger Wilkinson made a motion to accept the budget. Mustafa Koc seconded. The motion was passed by voice.

IRSA tax status

Ray noted that after nearly a year of back and forth, IRSA tax status in the United States has now been resolved.

IRSA World Congress in Toronto 2016 (Mustafa Koc)
Geoff Lawrence noted that the official document to have Toronto host the next Congress was signed earlier this year. Clare Hinrichs now has a team working on the academic program. The call for session proposals will go out in September. Registration will begin on April 1, 2016. Mustafa Koc reported that Phil Mount will co-chair the program committee with Clare Hinrichs. Patricia Albenese is co-chair with Mustafa on local arrangements. This will help ensure continuity. The local arrangements committee is still working with Ryerson University on specific arrangements (such as access to classrooms). As much as possible, the committee is using internal resources to organize the Congress. The Congress web site is ready. Suggestions on improving the web site are welcome. RSS will hold its 2016 meetings in Toronto from the 6th to 10th. IRSA will be from the 10th to 14th. Leif Jensen of Penn State will be President of RSS during 2016 and is in the same department as Clare Hinrichs. Mustafa Koc asked about how many plenaries were a good number. Mark Shucksmith said that five or six were normal. Geoff Lawrence suggested that Mustafa Koc look at the Portugal Congress as a model from which to work.

IRSA Website (Geoff Lawrence)

Elizabeth Ransom stated that in the history of RC-40 it was the Secretary who asked council members on a routine basis to contribute something to the newsletter/web site. So, perhaps Geoff Lawrence should approach individual members from time to time to get contributions to Council’s Corner on the web site. Geoff will do this.

Possibilities for the Formation of an African Rural Sociology Branch (Keith Moore to introduce)

Keith Moore led the discussion. We need a better approach for expanding the African presence in IRSA. A survey of African Rural Sociologists would be difficult because there is no good list. How do we create an organization that could develop a network that would grow? What is the population that we think we are organizing? Who are African rural sociologists? There are certainly no rural sociology departments/programs in Africa. Many African rural sociologists may be more interested with links to the north than links with each other (for mutual support and to gain resources). Also, perhaps we should focus on individual countries or regions? Keith is exploring these questions as well as what kind of agriculturally-related scientific societies exist and operate.

Close

Geoff Lawrence thanked everyone and stated that next Council meeting will be on 8/10/16.

Respectfully submitted by Raymond A. Jussaume Jr., Secretary-Treasurer

Incoming Council Meeting August 3, 2012

Incoming Council Meeting
International Rural Sociology Association
Lisbon, Portugal
August 3, 2012

The incoming council meeting was called to order by President Lawrence at 14:40 p.m. Those present included:

a. Sylvia Cloquel (ALASRU)
b. Miguel Samano (ALASRU)
c. Carol Richards (AON)
d. Vaughan Higgins (AON)
e. Koichi Ikegami (ARSA)
f. Terry Marsden (ESRS)
g. Elizabeth Ransom (RSS)
h. Keith Moore (RSS)
i. Shaunna Scott (ESRS)
j. Geoffrey Lawrence (President)
k. Raymond Jussaume (Secretary-Treasurer)
l. Mustafa Koc (Past Program Chair AND incoming Local Arrangements Chair)
m. Reidar Almas (Past President)

The meeting began with the new ALASRU delegates making themselves known. This was followed by brief self-introductions of all who were present. It was then noted by the President that during the meeting a discussion would be needed regarding dates for the upcoming Toronto World Congress, and that Terry Marsden would give a report on the book series he is involved with.

Next, one representative of each of the regional organizations provided a report to the council. Dr. Ikegami reported that the most recent ARSA meeting was held in the Phillippines. The next meeting of ARSA will be held in 2014 in the PDR of Laos. Dr. Cloquel reported that the next meeting of ALASRU will be in 2014 in Mexico City. Dr. Cloquel also expressed the sentiment that ALASRU would like to expand its participation in IRSA. Dr. Ransom reported that the RSS just had its 75th meeting in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Dr. Marsden reported that next meeting of ESRS will be in 2013 in Florence, Italy. Gianluca Brunori is organizing that meeting and the theme will be “Rural Resilience and Vulnerability” is the theme. The AON representatives reported that AON membership wishes to engage more with countries in regions outside of Australia and New Zealand. More clarification on the various regional boundaries is needed. An agro-food meeting will be held in December in Palmerston North, New Zealand.

At this point, the Council moved on to the election of the First and Second Vice-Presidents. Koichi Ikegami nominated Lutgarda Tolentino for the position of First Vice-President. Terry Marsden self-nominated for the position of First Vice-President. Dr. Marsden made a brief statement in support of his self-nomination. A vote by ballot was then held. The final vote was Marsden 7, Tolentino 5. Thus, Terry Marsden is the new IRSA first vice president. Elizabeth Ransom subsequently nominated Lutgarda Tolentino for the position of Second Vice President. Lutgarda Tolentino was acclaimed IRSA second vice president by unanimous voice vote. As Dr. Tolentino was not at the meeting, she will be informed by e-mail of the result of the vote.

Secretary-Treasurer Ray Jussaume made a brief presentation on what transpired at the outgoing council meeting. This covered the major points as noted in the minutes of the outgoing council meeting.

Mustafa Koc presented an update on the current World Congress on behalf of Manuel Moreira. Dr. Koc said recognized several small organizational problems, but reported that overall, the hosting for the current World Congress has been excellent. Organizers have been helpful, polite and have responded well to needs of participants. As to the academic program, Dr. Koc reported that several Congress participants has expressed concern that the opening plenary program had not been intellectually diverse enough. There were some challenges with making the plenary diverse, but Dr. Koc stated that he and the Toronto program chair(s) will work hard to improve the plenary sessions in the future by making them more balanced.

Mustafa Koc went on to the note that the attendance at the Lisbon Congress was the largest since the World Congress in Rio de Janeiro. In particular, the current Congress is marked by excellent attendance from South America and Asia. One contributing factor to the improved attendance may have been the policy to allow people to present in their native language as long as powerpoint slides were made available in English.

Reidar Almas encouraged the scientific committee for Toronto to be broad, in particular to be much broader than agricultural sociology, and also to encourage greater participation from North America.

President Lawrence extended his thanks to Mustafa Koc for his report.

A discussion on the Toronto bid for the 2016 World Congress, which was approved at the outgoing council meeting on July 29th, followed. The sentiment was expressed that this was a good proposal. The dates for the Congress will be solidified later after consultation with RSS, which apparently has already decided on the location and dates of its 2016 Annual Meeting.

Dr. Koc reported that the Toronto bid was backed by a very good team. The location is very good. Many of the organizers have lots of experience with conferences. The program committee will be assembled in August. An important coordination effort will be made to make it possible for folks to attend both the World Congress and RSS, which will be held in Seattle, Washington, USA. The secretary-Treasurer suggested that the organizers develop three budget scenarios, based on attendance, and Reidar Almas further suggested adding a “break-even” point.

The council then shifted its discussion to possible sites for the World Congress in 2020. Geoff Lawrence invited ideas for that Congress. Dr. Almas mentioned that the first two years of the next four year cycle will see more discussion about possible sites for 2020. He suggested a broad approach. Discussions should get more serious in 2014, around the time of the next council meeting, which will be held in Yokohama, Japan during the ISA Congress. President Lawrence extended an invitation for ideas for the 2020 Congress to the member associations.

The next discussion item was the IRSA web site. Dr. Lawrence likes the current web site. It is well organized. Individuals can now “like” the IRSA web site on facebook. Dr. Lawrence would like more information from member organizations about how to improve the web site’s exposure. He asked for suggestions from council members about the web site. Elizabeth Ransom suggested that the link be updated to include information on the Toronto Congress as quickly as possible. Carol Richards suggested announcing the “like” option for facebook during the general assembly. Terry Marsden suggested a link to the book series. Reidar Almas would like more reports for “rural sociologists in the media.” Geoff Lawrence mentioned that we will continue with the same web master for at least one year. Further discussions will be had later.

Geoff Lawrence then updated the council on IRSA’s Africa efforts. He is interested in setting up an advisory task force with the goal of expanding efforts to engage with scholars in Africa. Carol Richard’s asked why there is a focus on Africa? How about targeting other areas? Ray Jussaume suggested the Near East and North Africa as additional areas of emphasis. Terry Marsden suggested that IRSA should work with ISA to make connections with African sociologists. Mustafa Koc said that we might consider targeting the ISA – Yokohama meeting for a “take-off” on this initiative. Reidar Almas reminded everyone that IRSA is a “federal association” of regional rural sociology associations. Africa is THE major underrepresented region. He also stated that he thought going through ISA is a good idea. Additionally, we might consider surveying existing organizations that work in Africa. Elizabeth Ransom agreed that an initiative is needed and proposed Keith Moore as a potential member for that task force. Keith Moore responded by stating that we need a set of definite tasks. African scientists are more organized by NGOs than by universities. President Lawrence suggested working with the vice presidents and the secretary-treasurer to develop a more concrete proposal. Marsden and Moore suggested using creative methods to tie into current mobilizations, such as web conferences involving African scholars.

A discussion ensured about posting Congress papers to the web site and publishing 2012 Congress papers. Dr. Almas reported that the are some proposals to put papers on the IRSA web page, but does not think this is very valuable. However, there is also a tradition of publishing some papers. There was a volume of Korea papers edited by Bonanno et al. Mara Miele has asked for volunteers to be a lead editor for a volume from the Congress. There have been some proposals related to RC-40.

Terry Marsden has been editor for a rural studies series for about 5 years. Has become quite successful. There are now 19 volumes in print. The current publisher seems to be interested in more than one volume per year. However, some ideas are needed for future books. Terry is the series editor, but does not edit individual books. Reidar Almas noted that one problem with posting papers on web sites is that all local arrangements organizers prefer to have own web site, and not use the official IRSA web site. It would be expensive for IRSA to be the “only” web site. The council then suggested that Mustafa Koc start a “local” 2016 Toronto web site as soon as possible.

MOTION: It was then moved that the next meeting of the IRSA Council take place during the XVII ISA World Congress of Sociology in Yokohama, Japan, July 13-19, 2014. The motion was made by Carol Richards and seconded by Mustafa Koc. The motion was unanimously accepted by voice acclamation.

Respectfully submitted by Raymond A. Jussaume Jr., Secretary-Treasurer

IRSA Officers

President Koichi Ikegami, ARSA
Term 2016-2020 ikegami@nara.kindai.ac.jp
Japan Professor of Environmental Policy
Faculty of Agriculture
Department of Environmental Management
Kindai University
3327-204, Nakamachi, Nara, 631-8505, Japan
TEL: +81 (742) 43 9203

First Vice-President Sally Shortall, ESRS
Term 2016-2020 s.shortall@qub.ac.uk
Ireland School of Sociology, Social Policy
and Social Work
Queen’s University Belfast
Belfast BT7 1NN
Northern Ireland
Telephone: + 44 28 90973228
Fax: + 4428 90273943
Second Vice-President Lutgarda L. Tolentino, ARSA
Term 2016-2020 lutgardatolentino@gmail.com
Philippines First Vice-President, Asian Rural Sociology Association,
Knowledge and Action Researcher,
WorldFish, c/o SEARCA,
University of the Philippines Los Banos,
College, Laguna, Philippines.
Secretary-Treasurer Ray Jussaume, Jr, RS
Term 2016-2020 jussaume@msu.edu
USA Michigan State University
317B Berkey Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
TEL: 517-353-6790