Rethinking Rural Studies

Reviews / Votes

'Rethinking Rural Studies is a seminal contribution. Written by two scholars foundational to the development of this field, the book spans social science disciplines and nations across the global north. Sociologists have been key players in rural studies. The book builds on sociological concepts and theories and has important implications for our discipline. Overall, Rethinking Rural Studies offers a thoughtful and engaging account of this field. It explains why activist scholarship does not have to be incompatible with other ways of doing sociology, the authors providing concrete examples of how research, theory, and practice can converge to make a progressive difference.' -- Linda Lobao, The Ohio State University & Contemporary Sociology: A Journal of Reviews 'David L. Brown and Mark Shucksmith's book is therefore meaningful with its academic merit and social manifesto significance. It will be of interest to Global North scholars, particularly those concerned with rural development and public sociology, as well as to planners, policymakers, and rural institutions and communities, who will appreciate the specific insights concerning civic debates and public policy. For Global South scholars, they will be also able to find shared ideas and knowledge, gaining insights from the practices and lessons learnt.' -- Diwen Tan, Journal of Housing and the Built Environment (JHBE) 'A comprehensive treatment of a complex subject, Rethinking Rural Studies both traces where the discipline has been and provides multiple pathways for scholars to pursue in the future. Written accessibly by two of the most venerable experts in the field, it takes on a wide range of topics, methods, and theoretical approaches while never losing sight of the interconnections of people, place, and environment.' -- Jennifer Sherman, Washington State University, US 'In Rethinking Rural Studies, David Brown and Mark Shucksmith combine their extensive experience to construct a timely and critical review of the major challenges facing rural societies and map a pathway to a hopeful rural studies. An essential read for all rural researchers.' -- Michael Woods, Aberystwyth University, UK 'Brown and Shucksmith, giants in the field of rural scholarship, provide a critically important set of perspectives regarding how we understand social, economic, political, and institutional dynamics across urban and rural spaces. Rethinking Rural Studies appears at an historical moment in which deeper and more relational understandings of spatial inequalities and processes - and the social and political consequences that result - have perhaps never been needed more.' -- Kai A. Schafft, Pennsylvania State University, US