RSA 2026 Research Network

The Research Network provides members of our profession, especially graduate students and early-career faculty, with an opportunity to receive feedback on a work-in-progress in a small group session led by scholars committed to supporting new work. We especially encourage advanced graduate students, recent graduates, and beginning assistant professors whose circumstances allow them limited mentorship opportunities to apply this year. Whatever your professional situation, the Research Network is a wonderful opportunity to engage some of the field’s best mentors and focus on projects that matter to you. Seventeen scholars have volunteered to participate and serve as group leaders in 2026, three of those will be leading virtually. For the RSA 2026 Conference, the following colleagues have agreed to serve as discussion leaders for the Research Network Forum:

The RNF Co-chairs will read applications and place participants in groups of 3-4 based on content of abstracts and leaders’ expertise. No matter your placement, every discussion leader is capable of guiding the peer review process and offering meaningful and consequential feedback.

You do not have to send in a completed work to apply. If accepted, you will be contacted around April 1 and then receive a subsequent message from your group leader asking you to share your work with your entire group in April. Each participant will be expected to read and be prepared to discuss the drafts of all participants. Leaders may also provide further instructions for the session as the conference approaches.

Please also note that the names of participants in the Research Network who are registered for the conference will be published in the online conference program. Therefore, graduate student participants in the Research Network forum who are attending the conference may be eligible to apply for funding from their institutions. You must be a member of RSA and registered for the conference to attend the in-person Research Network.

This year, and as part of RSA’s commitment to accessibility, three discussion leaders will hold their sessions virtually. For those who select this option and will not be attending the conference in-person, the cost for the RNF will be $50.

If you have any questions, please contact RSA 2026 Research Network Directors Timothy Oleksiak ([email protected]) or Emily Winderman ([email protected]). **The deadline for applications is 11:59 pm February 20, 2026.**

We look forward to seeing you in Portland!

Emily Winderman, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

Timothy Oleksiak, University of Massachusetts Boston