What defines rural today? Perspectives from the team behind RURALITIC
What defines a rural area, why does it matter, and what if we stopped seeing the countryside as “left behind” — instead recognising it as a wellspring of innovation and solutions? These are just some of the questions explored with the RURALITIC team in this video series. Each episode blends expert insight with a human touch, pairing research-driven questions with light-hearted ones.
Meet the people behind the project and hear their perspectives—in their own words and languages!
From history to horizon
🎥 Gilles Laferté, Research Director in Sociology, INRAE (French with subtitles in English)
As the project coordinator, Gilles explains how the definition of rural has evolved — and why cities might do well to start paying attention.
Turning challenges into attractiveness
🎥 Troels Schultz Larsen, Associate Professor, Roskilde University (English with subtitles)
Leading a Work Package on rural transitions and conflicts, Troels discusses key challenges and shares why more people should consider moving to the countryside.
Who holds the future?
🎥 Elina Maury Project Officer for Chamber of Agriculture (French with subtitles in English)
As a contributor to the Work Package on future perceptions and sustainable prospects, Elina explains the experiences and potential of the next generation of rural workers as well as why rural areas deserve the spotlight.
How are transitions reshaping rural life?
🎥 Marh Echtai, PhD Student, TU Delft (English with subtitles)
Discover Marh’s perspective as an early-career researcher exploring today’s rural areas and their evolving transitions toward tomorrow.
The emotional cultural pull of rural
🎥 Ramiro Segura, Researcher, CONICET (Spanish with subtitles in English)
RURALITIC extends beyond European borders, and Argentinian researcher Ramiro, who poetically reflects on his ideal rural location, reminds us in this video that rural life is shaped as much by identity as by geography.
Back to rural roots
🎥 Mikael Börjesson, Professor of Sociology of Education, Uppsala University (English with subtitles)
As a contributor to the Work Package on social and spatial trajectories and perceptions, Professor Mikael unpacks the concept of “driver of attractiveness,” weaving it through our series of reflections.
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Across these interviews, a common thread takes root: rural areas are not remnants left behind but fertile ground for innovation, connection, and resilience. Like deep roots nourishing the soil, the RURALITIC team is cultivating new narratives—through demographic shifts, policy gaps, and cultural stories—to help rural communities grow and thrive with the attention and understanding they deserve.
And more importantly, we are inviting you to be part of that journey. Follow us on Bluesky and LinkedIn to stay updated. Let’s rethink rural together!