Dear Colleagues, We are delighted to announce a call for chapters for our forthcoming edited volume, *Rural Media Studies: A Global Perspective*, to be published by Lexington Books (now part of Bloomsbury Publishing Inc.). This volume explores the largely untapped field of Rural Media Studies, focusing on the impact of digitalization beyond metropolitan centers. We aim to compile the final manuscript by *December 15, 2025*. Scope and Objectives The volume will examine the processes of digitalization and their unique influences in rural contexts, addressing the need for scholarship that moves beyond urban-focused research. Digitalization—the integration of digital technology across sectors of government, business, and society—is often examined through an urban lens, leaving the media landscapes of rural areas underexplored. This volume seeks to address this gap by establishing a *"rural turn"* within Media Studies. This shift is essential to avoid knowledge gaps and enhance decision-making across social, political, and environmental domains. Recognizing that transitioning to climate-neutral societies requires a robust understanding of media practices within rural populations, this volume encourages scholarship that moves beyond traditional urban-centric frameworks. Topics of Interest We welcome submissions from diverse geographies, methodologies, and disciplines, addressing (but not limited to) the following themes: - Political participation, polarization, and media engagement in rural spaces - Climate dis/misinformation and its impact on rural communities - Surveillance, privacy, and rural media use - Rural-urban dynamics in media representation and content - Digital literacy, access, and inclusion in rural areas We particularly encourage interdisciplinary approaches that leverage Media Studies' positioning at the intersection of various fields, offering flexible and creative explorations of media practices in rural settings. Submission Details If you are interested in contributing, please email your *short bio* (a few lines), *abstract* (approx. 300 words), and a *brief outline* by *March 31st, 2025* to: - Rashid Gabdulhakov: r.f.gabdulhakov@rug.nl - Marc Esteve del Valle: m.esteve.del.valle@rug.nl Authors of selected abstracts will be notified by the first week of April, and full chapters will be expected by *July 30, 2025*. For questions or further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to discuss the project further with potential contributors. We look forward to receiving your contributions and working together to shed light on this timely and important area of research. Best regards, *Dr. Rashid Gabdulhakov* Assistant Professor | Centre for Media and Journalism Studies | University of Groningen (The Netherlands) Personal website: Plovism <https://plovism.com/> | ORCiD <https://orcid.org/> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/> | "Chat in the Yurt" Podcast <https://chatinyurt.com/> *Dr. Marc Esteve del Valle* Senior Lecturer | Centre for Media and Journalism Studies | University of Groningen (The Netherlands)| Google Scholar <https://scholar.google.com/> -- Dr. Marc Esteve del Valle, *Senior Lecturer*, Centre for Media and Journalism Studies, University of Groningen (The Netherlands) | Google Scholar <https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=BtRD8IkAAAAJ&hl=en> <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marc_Esteve_Del_Valle>