Rural societies around the world are changing in fundamental ways, both at their own initiative and in response to external forces. Join us for a panel discussion and Chats in the Stacks talk with David L. Brown, editor of the new book The Routledge International Handbook of Rural Studies (Routledge; May 19, 2016). The book examines the organization and transformation of rural society in more developed regions of the world, taking a problem-focused approach. Mark Shucksmith, director of Newcastle University Institute for Social Renewal, UK, is coeditor.

Joining Brown will be chapter authors and leading social scientists, David Kay (Development Sociology and Community and Regional Development Institute, Cornell University), Kai Schafft (Penn State Department of Educational Policy), Ann Tickamyer and Leland Glenna (both of Penn State’s Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology).

Emerging challenges will be discussed, including demographic changes and economic transformations in rural communities, food systems and land use, environmental issues, rising inequality, and new social dynamics impacted by institutional capacities and governance. The panel will also consider the role of land grant universities, and especially land grant social science in ameliorating rural problems and taking advantage of emerging opportunities.

David L. Brown is International Professor of Development Sociology, and co-director of the Community & Regional Development Institute at Cornell University.

Light refreshments served.

The book talk series at Mann Library is supported by the Mary A. Morrison Public Education Fund.