RSA Remote: The Emerging Scholars Program Returns!

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming RSA Remote event featuring the return of our transformative Emerging Scholars Program.

JOIN US to learn more about this groundbreaking initiative and hear directly from those who have experienced its impact! This RSA Remote session will spotlight the Emerging Scholars Program (formerly the IDEA Emerging Scholars Program) as it enters its second year. Our distinguished panelists will discuss how this initiative continues to equip a new generation of rhetorical leaders, build lasting community among emerging scholars, and expand future possibilities for RSA and the field of rhetoric.

Panelists:

1. Dr. Brynn Fitzsimmons, University of Alabama, RSA’s incoming (summer 2026) IDEA Committee Chair
2. Dr. Jennifer Clary-Lemon, University of Waterloo, RSA Executive Board Member & incoming (summer 2026) IDEA Committee Vice Chair
3. Dr. Mari Ramler, Tennessee Tech University, RSA IDEA Committee Member
4. Participants from the first cohort sharing their experiences

Topics to be covered:

1. Overview of the Emerging Scholars Program and its evolution
2. Building community and lasting professional networks among participants
3. Strategies for making the “hidden curriculum” of academia transparent
4. Fostering non-competitive, collaborative academic practices
5. First-hand experiences from inaugural cohort members
6. Q&A session on application process and eligibility

The first in-person event of the 2026 cohort of the Emerging Scholars Program will be held April 17-18, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. We welcome applications from individuals committed to fostering a more inclusive and representative climate within rhetorical studies and centering work that is frequently overlooked and ignored within mainstream research. We hope applications will represent a range of academic institutions.

This event is perfect for doctoral candidates, early career faculty, and anyone interested in the future of rhetoric and academia. Eligible applicants should be members of RSA and doctoral candidates or early career faculty members. Applicants will also be asked to provide a recent CV and a short reflection regarding their goals, pedagogical/research interests, and what they would hope to get out of this program. Applications will open here on Monday, October 20 (after the webinar) and close Monday, December 15, 2025. Although this webinar is open to everyone, you must be an active RSA member and logged into your account to apply. You can join any time here.

For access information, please register here no later than 10:00 am ET on October 17.

Zoom login details will be sent to your registered email upon registration … don’t lose them!

Thank you to our sponsor: The Waterhouse Family Institute for the Study of Communication and Society, Villanova University

Don’t miss this chance to learn about the continued impact of this vital program and hear directly from those who have been part of its transformative community!