Recent research in rural geography has shown growing interest in ways of showing diversity in which rural areas have been exhibited and enacted by diversity. In addition to implementing many roles in conjunction with researchers, funders and users, rural geographers have also demonstrated awareness about their 'performance' as researchers. This progress report for rural geography discusses recent contributions on these two related topics, in which research is presented briefly, before reviewing the publications, which Systematic development, position in rural research and political and policy engagement rural geography.