Overview
The National Forum to Advance Rural Education Conference invites graduate students from all disciplines to submit poster proposals that advance research, practice, and/or contribute to sustainable progress in rural education. The graduate student poster session provides a professional platform for emerging scholars to share research, practitioner inquiry, program evaluation, community-based initiatives, and dissertation work in progress. Designed to elevate new voices and foster meaningful dialogue among researchers, practitioners, and policy leaders, this session centers the importance of amplifying rural research, perspectives, and strengthening rural schools and communities.
Proposals should highlight research, action, innovation, and/or measurable impact, with clear connections to leadership, policy, and practice in rural educational settings. Submissions are expected to demonstrate practical applications, innovative approaches, and tangible outcomes while illustrating how the work contributes to meaningful change, builds community capacity, and honors the unique assets and cultural wealth of rural places. Submissions may reflect theoretical work, work in-progress, preliminary findings, ongoing projects, disseratation research, or finished projects.
Proposals are Due by June 19, 2026
Proposal Length and Format
Graduate student poster proposals must be no more than 3000 characters (excluding references). Proposals should be written in clear, scholarly language and structured to include the following elements:
- Title
- Context and Rationale (What issue or opportunity in rural education does this work address?)
- Purpose or Research Questions
- Methods or Approach (Research design, data sources, participants, implementation strategies, or innovation process)
- Findings, Outcomes, or Anticipated Impact
- Implications for Rural Research, Leadership, Policy, and/or Practice
- References will not count toward the character limit
Conference Strands
Proposals must align with at least one of the following conference strands:
- INNOVATIVE LEADERSHIP & LEARNING – Focuses on leadership and instructional practices that strengthen rural teaching and learning, including personalized approaches, STEM/CTE pathways, workforce readiness, and professional learning.
- PARTNERSHIP & COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS – Highlights collaboration among schools, families, communities, businesses, and higher education to support student success and seamless K–12 to postsecondary pathways.
- HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT – Explores strategies to strengthen the rural educator workforce through recruitment and retention, preparation and development, mentorship, recognition, and flexible staffing models.
- EMERGING & IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGIES – Examines responsible use of emerging technologies, including AI and digital infrastructure, to enhance learning, support educators, and expand equitable access.
- HEALTH, WELLNESS, & SCHOOL SAFETY – Centers on mental health, wellness, trauma-informed practices, school safety, healthcare access, and programs supporting nutrition and agricultural education.
- RAISING RURAL VOICES – Elevates rural perspectives through advocacy, policy, storytelling, partnerships, and state and federal funding priorities.
- PROGRESS THROUGH RESEARCH – Highlights applied and emerging research—including dissertations, Why Rural Matters, and practitioner-focused briefs—that informs rural education practice and policy.
Review Criteria
Proposals will be peer reviewed using the following criteria:
- Alignment with one or more conference strands
- Relevance and significance to rural educational contexts
- Clarity of purpose and methodological rigor (as appropriate to the work)
- Evidence of innovation, action, or measurable impact
- Contribution to advancing rural voices and strengthening rural communities
Poster Session Expectations
Accepted presenters will be assigned a designated poster space and scheduled presentation time and are expected to remain present for the duration of the session to engage in meaningful dialogue with conference attendees. Posters should clearly and visually communicate the study, initiative, or innovation while fostering interactive discussion and professional exchange.
