Conference Objectives: The global recession has created both new challenges and new Conference Themes (for
rence Themes (for abstract submission):
opportunities for regions. As governments across the world work to restore economic growth,
the role that regions play in the recovery could see their importance either elevated to new
heights or relegated to obscurity as governments continue to seek out the appropriate spatial
scale from which to adjust to the new global landscape. Yet the downturn has not just resulted
in economic shifts but has also forced an adjustment to social, political, and cultural norms that
regions must seek to understand and capitalise on in order to position themselves to withstand
future threats.
It is important to explore, within this shifting global landscape, the role that regions play in
furthering economic growth, innovation and an improved quality of life for future generations.
Those individuals just beginning their career, whether students, researchers, or practitioners
are uniquely placed to examine and define the future role of regions, both from a practical
perspective and a visionary one as they build on their past education and work to apply their
knowledge to endeavours that will strengthen and redefine regions.
Target Audience: The conference is open to all: academics; policy makers and practitioners; but
particularly to early career researchers who are currently undertaking an academic degree, post-
doctoral studies or are in the early years of their career.
Programme: The day will consist of both parallel workshop sessions and plenary sessions.
Plenary speakers:
Governance and Regional Policy: Dr. Tassilo Herrschel, Centre for Urban and Regional
Governance, University of Westminster.
Innovation and Regional Development: Professor Jeremy Howells, Director of the Manchester
Institute of Innovation Research, University of Manchester.
Spatial Planning and Policy: Professor Gordon Dabinett, Department of Town and Regional
Planning, University of Sheffield.
Governance and Regional Policy: The global downturn has advanced the case for fiscal austerity
among many industrialised nations. As a result governments around the world are beginning to
re-imagine the role of regions and the need for regionally focused policy interventions. This track
is interested in understanding the dynamics between government and regions. Is there a role
for regional government or is it just another layer of bureaucracy that government can no longer
afford? How is regional policy evolving within the current fiscal climate? What role does politics
play in framing the regional conversation? These are just some of the questions open for debate in
this track as we explore and re-interpret regional and government dynamics.
Innovation and Regional Development: The need for innovation and regional development could
not be more necessary as the world seeks to recover from the global recession. Yet the funds
available for necessary investments are limited as government and the private sector seek to rein in
spending. Within this climate there is a need to explore how innovation and regional development
can be utilised to transform economies at all scales. How then can innovation and regional
development be promoted given the current fiscal environment? How has the recession affected
the ability of the private sector to innovate and encourage regional development? What barriers to
innovation remain and what opportunities have emerged as a result of the global downturn?
Spatial Planning and Policy: Spatial planning takes a variety of forms depending on the country
examined. As a result the impact of the recession influences spatial planning in country specific
ways. In some countries the influence of spatial planning is being diminished while in others it
is being promoted as one of the tools necessary to respond to the global recession. Within this
atmosphere the form that spatial planning takes is also very fluid as planners, policy-makers and
politicians transform spatial planning policy to suit a new economic reality. What role then is there
for the spatial planning approach in the coming decade? How has the recession impacted on how
spatial planning is undertaken? Is there a need to re-examine the scale at which spatial planning
is undertaken? This track will have a particular focus on where the spatial planning approach fits
within changing regional dynamics.
Travel Bursaries: A limited number will be available – please contact the RSA office
for more information.
Networking: There will be several opportunities throughout the day during coffee and lunch
breaks. Relaxed and informal closing session with a glass of wine.
Registration and submission: The submission site for abstracts and registration is available now
at: www.regional-studies-assoc.ac.uk
Prices:
2010 RSA Members: Student £30, Early Career/Associate (retired) £50; Individual/Corporate £95.
Non RSA Members: Student £40, Early Career/Associate (retired) £65; Individual/Corporate £120.
Local Organisers: Cecilia Wong, Brian Webb and Stephen Hincks
RSA Organiser: Lisa Bibby-Larsen. Email: events@rsa-ls.ac.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1323 899 698