The 23rd Rural Entrepreneurship Conference: Call for papers

The 23rd Annual Rural Entrepreneurship Conference will have a strong focus on the relationship between entrepreneurs and the places in which they live and work. Papers are welcome on a number of themes, but throughout the week, we encourage delegates to reflect on the dynamic relationships between businesses and rural places with questions such as: To what extend does a rural place provide an advantage or a disadvantage? Is the rural context important for the supply-side or the demand-side of the business? And perhaps most fundamentally, to what extent does entrepreneurial activity shape rural places rather than being shaped by the characteristics of the rural entrepreneurial ecosystem?

Research and practitioner papers are welcomed under the following themes and abstracts should be submitted by 31st January 2026 using the template overleaf.

• Values-Driven and Social Entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurship in the Rural Tourism and Recreation Sectors
• Gender and Rural Entrepreneurship
• Technology and Innovation in Rural Entrepreneurship
• Community-led approaches to rural development: Entrepreneurship & policy
• Entrepreneurship in Agriculture and Food
• Rural Mobilities and Entrepreneurship
• International Perspectives on Rural Entrepreneurship
• Life Cycles in Rural Entrepreneurship

The AGER Journal of Depopulation and Rural Development Studies (Q1 in Scopus) is offering opportunities for selected papers to be submitted to a special issue on the theme of "Rural entrepreneurship and place transformation: Dynamics across life cycles". Guest editors: Gary Bosworth, Leanne Townsend, Egon Bjørnshave, Steffen Korsgaard, & Néstor Vercher.

Indicative Agenda:

Wednesday 20th May:

PhD & Early Career Rural Methods workshop

Welcome Reception

Thursday 21st May: Keynote presentation;

Gender and Rural Entrepreneurship Round Table;

Parallel track session

Conference Dinner

Friday 22nd May: Rural Business Support Workshop

Parallel Track Sessions

Closing Keynote

Costs: Standard Rate: £240; Early Bird £210; PhD Rate: £180 (includes Wednesday)

Abstract Submission

Abstracts are invited for papers from those with an interest in rural entrepreneurship. We encourage contributions from academics and practitioners alike. Please use the template below and indicate which of the theme(s) you consider most appropriate, limiting your abstract to 300 words.

The deadline for receipt of abstracts is 31st January 2026