I am writing to invite you to consider submitting a chapter proposal for consideration to be included in The American Research Handbook on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, an edited scholarly volume that examines the evolving role of diversity, equity, and inclusion within American democracy and educational institutions. I encourage you to invite friends/colleagues outside of the Appalachian region, too.

I have been invited to serve as the section editor for The White Rural Experience. This section seeks rigorous, thoughtful, and evidence-based analyses that examine how rural white communities engage with, experience, interpret, or resist DEI discourse and policy across educational, civic, cultural, and economic contexts.

Our intent is neither polemical nor reductive. Rather, we aim to deepen scholarly understanding of the structural, historical, and sociopolitical dynamics that shape rural identity, opportunity structures, perceptions of marginalization, institutional trust and/or distrust, and democratic participation. All thematic sections of this volume include:

• The African American Experience – Examining historical and contemporary challenges, resilience, and contributions of Black communities in the U.S. 
• The GLBT Experience – Exploring the lived realities, systemic barriers, and triumphs within LGBTQ+ communities. 
• The Women's Experience – Investigating gender equity, intersectionality, and the evolving role of women in society. 
• The Disability Experience – Addressing accessibility, representation, and the fight for inclusion in education, employment, and public life. 
• The White Rural Experience – Analyzing the intersections of race, class, and geographic isolation/marginalization in understanding DEI efforts. 
• The First-gen Experience – Examining and investigating, analyzing, and exploring the diverse multicultural impact of first-gen students on the campus experience. 
• The Native American and Indigenous Peoples Experience - Examining historical and contemporary challenges, resilience, and contributions of Native American communities in the U.S. 
• The Latinx and Hispanic Experience - Examining historical and contemporary challenges, resilience, and contributions of Latinx and Hispanic communities in the U.S. 

Please note that we will also accept poetry or art submissions as chapter bookends for submissions that align with the chapters.

Submission Guidelines 

We welcome proposals from both seasoned and emerging authors who are passionate about contributing to this dynamic discourse. Proposals should include: 

• A title and a 300–500-word abstract outlining the focus, significance, and approach of the proposed chapter. 
• A brief biography (150 words) highlighting your expertise and experience. 
• Contact information (preferred email address), including institutional or organizational affiliation (if applicable). 
• All proposals must be written following the 7th Edition of the APA Manual. 
• If your proposal is accepted, final submissions should not exceed 5000 words, which is equivalent to about 20 pages. 

Key Dates: 

• Proposal Submission Deadline: May4, 2026 
• Notification of Acceptance: By May 15, 2026 
• Full Chapter Submission Deadline: July 1, 2026

Why Contribute? 

This handbook will serve as an essential resource for educators, policymakers, and institutional leaders committed to building a more inclusive future. Your work will not only contribute to scholarly discourse but will also shape policies and practices in higher education and beyond. We encourage you to bring your research, policy development, creativity, and lived experiences to this volume. Whether through academic inquiry, poetry, cultural expression, or storytelling, your voice is needed in this critical dialogue. 

Please send all White Rural Experience submissions to Theresa Burriss at tburriss@radford.edu, with the subject line including: Last Name | First Name | Submission: Research Handbook on DEI | The Title of Your Chapter.

If folks would like to contribute to other sections of the Handbook, please contact James Bridgeforth at bridgeforth@vt.edu for section editor contact information.

Together, let’s create a transformative resource that redefines how we approach diversity, equity, and inclusion in America. 

Sincerely, 

Theresa Burriss, James Bridgeforth, and the Editorial Team