European Society for Rural Sociology

The European Society for Rural Sociology (ESRS) is a scholarly association founded in 1957 and headquartered in Wageningen, the Netherlands. It is the leading European association for scientists involved in the study of agriculture and fisheries, food production and consumption, rural development and change, rurality and cultural heritage, equality and inequality in rural society, and nature and environmental care. Membership is open to individuals and corporate bodies in- and outside Europe who are interested in rural questions. The Society's objectives are to stimulate and promote the development of rural sociology, foster closer relations between rural sociologists and other social scientists and practitioners, promote international co-operation and the exchange of information and experience in rural sociological research, provide a forum in Europe for discussion of issues related to rural change, and encourage the training of young social scientists within an international framework. It pursues these aims through congresses, training seminars, international research co-ordination, a journal, and exchange of rural sociologists. ESRS organises regular congresses and webinars. The 2025 congress was arranged by Riga Stradins University, and the next congress is scheduled for Wageningen on 5–9 July 2027. The Society also runs a Summer School and publishes the journal Sociologia Ruralis. Its Executive Committee includes members from institutions across Europe, with Annette Aagaard Thuesen (Danish Centre for Rural Research, University of Southern Denmark) as President and Fatma Nil Döner (UNED, Madrid) as Vice-President. The constitution, approved by the General Assembly on 8 June 2022, formally names the Society in Dutch, French, German, and English and establishes its domicile in Wageningen.

The European Society for Rural Sociology (ESRS) was founded in 1957. From its inception, it has served as a platform for scholars across Europe and beyond who study rural questions, agriculture, food, and rural society. Over the decades, it has grown into the leading European association for scientists involved in the study of agriculture and fisheries, food production and consumption, rural development and change, rurality and cultural heritage, equality and inequality in rural society, and nature and environmental care. The Society's constitution, most recently approved by the General Assembly on 8 June 2022, sets out its formal names in Dutch (Europese Vereniging voor Agrarische Sociologie), French (Société Européenne de Sociologie Rurale), German (Europäische Gesellschaft für Land- u. Agrarsoziologie), and English (European Society for Rural Sociology). It establishes the Society's domicile in Wageningen, the Netherlands, and states that it shall last for an indefinite period. The constitution defines the objectives: generating and disseminating knowledge on rural sociological issues; international co-operation and exchange of information and experience in rural sociological research; training of rural sociologists; and application of rural sociological research to the well-being of society. Means include organising congresses and other meetings, training seminars, furthering and co-ordinating international research, publishing a journal, and exchanging rural sociologists. ESRS has organised regular congresses, often hosted by member institutions across Europe. The 2025 congress was arranged by Riga Stradins University in Latvia. The next congress is scheduled for Wageningen, the Netherlands, on 5–9 July 2027, with a call for working groups open on the conference webpage. The Society also runs a Summer School and a webinar series; recent webinars have addressed topics such as seasonal workers and migrant labour in Mediterranean agriculture. Its journal, Sociologia Ruralis, is managed by editors based at Newcastle University and Harokopio University. The Executive Committee, as listed on the official website, includes members from Denmark, Spain, Greece, Sweden, Latvia, France, Portugal, Finland, and the United Kingdom, reflecting the Society's pan-European reach.

• 2026

  Webinars held on 27 January 2026 and 24 March 2026.

• 2025

  ESRS2025 congress arranged by Riga Stradins University.

• 2025

  First ESRS webinar held on 22 May 2025.

• 2022

  Constitution approved by the General Assembly on 8 June 2022, online.

• 1957

  European Society for Rural Sociology founded.

• Next ESRS Congress to be held in Wageningen, 5-9 July 2027.

Leading European scholarly association for rural sociology, bridging research, policy, and practice across agriculture, food, rural development, and environment.

• ESRS Congress

  Regular congresses, e.g., 2025 in Riga and 2027 in Wageningen.

• Sociologia Ruralis

  The Society's journal, managed by editors at Newcastle University and Harokopio University.

• ESRS Summer School

  Training seminar for young social scientists.

• ESRS Webinars

  Online seminar series on rural sociological topics.

1. 1ESRS – European Society for Rural Sociologyruralsociology.eu
2. 2About ESRS – ESRS – European Society for Rural Sociologyruralsociology.eu
3. 3Constitution – ESRS – European Society for Rural Sociologyruralsociology.eu
4. 4Executive Committee – ESRS – European Society for Rural Sociologyruralsociology.eu
5. 5European Society for Rural Sociologywikidata.org