Rural Communication Working Group - Head elections 2026

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The Rural Communication (RUC) Working Group will be holding online elections for two co-Chair positions, for the term 2026–2030.

The elections will be held online from 13 to 27 May using the SurveyMonkey platform.

Individual members and representatives of institutional members in good standing who are also registered members of the Rural Communication Working Group by 8 May are eligible to vote.

To verify if you are a member of the RUC Working Group, log in to your IAMCR account and select “My Sections and Working Groups” from the menu.

View the candidates and read their statements below.

More information and timeline are available at https://iamcr.org/s-wg/elections2026

Read more about the Rural Communication Working Group

Candidates

Statements

Pamela Joyce M. Eleazar

University of the Philippines Los Baños, Philippines

I am Pamela Joyce M. Eleazar, PhD, with over a decade of academic experience as an Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños - College of Development Communication. I recently earned a Dual Doctor of Philosophy by Research in International and Rural Development from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom and in Development Communication from the University of the Philippines Los Baños. My research mainly focuses on rural communication, climate change mitigation, and gender and development. I was also a member of the Collaborative Change Communication (CCComDev), a global initiative and web-based platform dedicated to improving Communication for Development (ComDev) in agriculture and rural communities, sponsored by the UN FAO in partnership with UPLB-CDC.

Additionally, I have co-authored several papers with scholars from UPLB and the University of Reading on topics such as agricultural innovation systems related to gender and development, climate change mitigation in rural communities, and others. These publications, indexed in Scopus and other leading journals, have reinforced my foundation in rural communication research through their interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approach.

My membership in the IAMCR-RUC Working Group closely aligns with my research interests. Given the ongoing challenges faced by the agricultural sector in the Global South, it is vital to promote initiatives that provide platforms for engagement among sectors involved in rural communication services. I view this working group as essential for advancing community communication studies, which are crucial for the development of rural communities in the region.

As the Co-chair of the Rural Communication Working Group, my goal is to consistently highlight the importance of creating spaces for marginalized groups, especially those involved in agriculture, to share their stories through dialogue and collaboration. Although these groups already have a voice, they need to develop specific skills to reach their full potential. Through this working group, we aim to actively involve stakeholders, particularly from the Global South, and co-create knowledge with those directly impacted by rural issues. I see this collaborative approach as the key strength of the Rural Communication Working Group.

Asri Sulistiawati

Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Indonesia

My name is Asri Sulistiawati. I am a lecturer at the Department of Communication and Community Development, Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Indonesia. Since 2016, I have also been active as a researcher at the Center for Gender and Child Studies (CGCS-IPB), where I have been involved in a range of research projects on gender issues, social development, and community empowerment.

I am currently in the final stage of my PhD in International Development, School of Agriculture, Policy and Development (SAPD), University of Reading, UK. My work focuses on rural communication, with particular attention to gender dynamics, digital inequality, and marginalization in agricultural communities. Moreover, my research examines how structural inequalities, especially those related to gender, shape access to knowledge, resources, and digital technologies in agriculture. Through a multi-layered approach that looks at individual, household, and community dynamics, I aim to contribute to a more grounded understanding of rural communication, particularly from the perspective of Indonesia and the Global South.

I have been an active member of IAMCR since the first year of my PhD in 2023, and I have participated in the annual conferences in 2023 and 2025 as one of presenter in Rural Communication working group. Being part of IAMCR has been valuable for my academic journey, not only in strengthening my research but also in expanding my professional network. Through conferences and interactions with other participants, I have had the opportunity to exchange ideas, receive feedback, and connect with scholars working on similar issues from different parts of the world. This experience has been important for my development as a researcher, and it is one of the reasons I would like to contribute more actively to the community.

If elected as co-chair, I would be committed to strengthening the inclusivity and intellectual vibrancy of the Rural Communication Working Group. I am particularly interested in supporting early-career researchers, encouraging participation from underrepresented regions, and fostering collaborative spaces where members can exchange ideas beyond the annual conference. I would also support initiatives such as panel development, mentoring opportunities, and thematic discussions that connect rural communication with broader debates on digital transformation, sustainability, and social justice.

Having experienced IAMCR as an engaging and supportive academic community, I value collaboration and collective work. I see the role of co-chair not only as an organizational responsibility but also as an opportunity to facilitate meaningful academic exchange and build connections among members.

I would be honoured to contribute to the continued development of the Rural Communication Working Group.