idea emerging scholars program 2025
RSA’s IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access) Committee is pleased to announce the launch of the 2025-2026 IDEA Emerging Scholars Program. This initiative aims to clarify the practices and principles of academic life to equip a new generation of rhetorical leaders and expand the future possibilities for the Rhetoric Society of America (RSA) and the field of rhetoric.
Rooted in our dedication to anti-racism, the decolonization of rhetoric, access as a core praxis, and the diversification of the professoriate, the program offers a comprehensive mentoring experience. It brings together emerging leaders in rhetoric with established scholars and educators through a series of both in-person and virtual engagements. These meetings will aim to expose and make transparent the “hidden curriculum” of academia, facilitating accessible pathways to success. Participants will develop and expand their professional networks, engage in horizontal mentoring, and foster non-competitive, collaborative academic practices.
The IDEA Emerging Scholars Program will be held June 2-3, 2025 in Cincinnati, OH concurrent with the RSA Institute. We welcome applications from individuals who identify as: a member of a historically marginalized group, a person with a disability, a first generation student, from a low income background, an immigrant or child of immigrants, or any other historically marginalized identify. We hope applications will represent a range of academic institutions. 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.
You must be logged into your RSA member account to access the application. The application deadline is December 31, 2024.
We understand that people have different career paths, so if you understand yourself as still early in your career goals you are welcome to apply.
Please email idea@rhetoricsociety.org or the IDEA chair, Jennifer Lin LeMesurier (jlemesurier@colgate.edu) with any questions.
The IDEA Emerging Scholars program is made possible due to generous grants from The Waterhouse Family Institute for the Study of Communication and Society and the American Council of Learned Societies.
