Kentucky State Graduate Student Receives National Recognition
Shristi Adhikari earned two honors from the Rural Sociological Society for her emerging scholarship
FRANKFORT, Ky. — How Kentucky farmers and non-farmers understand and respond to extreme weather took center stage when Kentucky State University graduate student Shristi Adhikari presented her research at a national gathering of rural sociologists in North Carolina.
The Rural Sociological Society recognized Adhikari with its Student Travel Grant Award and its Diversity Award for HBCU and Global South Scholars during its 2026 annual meeting, held July 29-Aug. 1.
Adhikari, who plans to graduate in December 2026 with a Master of Science in Environmental Studies, presented “Perceived Impact of Extreme Weather and Changing Weather Patterns in Kentucky.” Her research examines how people across the Commonwealth perceive extreme weather, experience its effects, and decide whether to take action in response.
The conference brought together scholars, students, practitioners, and policy professionals to explore the social dimensions of rural life. Feedback from participants will help Adhikari refine her master’s research as she analyzes data for two articles intended for peer-reviewed journals. She also volunteered during several conference activities.
“Sharing my work with scholars who study rural communities allowed me to see the research in a broader context and return to it with new questions,” Adhikari said. “Receiving these awards has strengthened my confidence in the work as I complete my degree and prepare the findings for publication. I am grateful to Dr. Buddhi Gyawali for his guidance and to Kentucky State for making this kind of scholarly exchange possible.”
Using surveys and interviews, Adhikari is gathering perspectives that could inform more resilient agricultural practices throughout Kentucky.
“Shristi’s interdisciplinary work connects Kentucky State with communities and can help us better understand how agriculture is affected by extreme weather,” said Dr. Gyawali, professor of geospatial applications, human dimensions of natural resources, and climate studies.
Her research is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Evans-Allen project “Ecological Resilience and Extreme Weather Events: Impacts on Small Farmers, Landowners, Rural and Urban Communities,” accession No. 7003276.
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