Regions as Arenas in a Changing World
Dates: 15–18 June 2026
Location: School of Business, Economics and Law, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
The Regional Studies Association (RSA) will host its 2026 Annual Conference in partnership with the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. This major four-day event will gather leading academics, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world to explore how regional dynamics shape — and are shaped by — a rapidly changing global landscape.
A Global Gathering of Regional Thinkers
The 2026 RSA Annual Conference is expected to welcome participants from over 55 countries, featuring more than 700 presentations, high-level plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and vibrant networking opportunities. The conference will serve as a platform for established experts and early-career scholars alike to exchange knowledge, build collaborations, and engage in interdisciplinary dialogue on the most pressing issues in regional studies, policy, and development.
Attendees will also enjoy an engaging social programme that includes a welcome reception, conference dinner, partner events, and walking tours through Gothenburg. Post-conference excursions will allow participants to further explore Sweden’s innovative regions and dynamic local economies.
Conference Focus and Themes
Under the theme “Regions as Arenas in a Changing World,” the conference invites reflection on how shifting global realities — from technological transformation and political realignments to environmental crises — are reshaping the way scholars and policymakers understand spatial development.
Key questions include how artificial intelligence is altering human–machine relations, how environmental pressures demand new regional strategies, and how emerging protectionist policies and resource dependencies are reshaping economic geography. In an era where scientific truth and informed public debate are often challenged, the RSA calls on regional scientists to rethink theories, frameworks, and methodologies for a turbulent and interconnected world.
Participants are encouraged to engage with issues that transcend disciplinary boundaries, combining theoretical innovation with empirical depth to improve understanding of regional interdependence and to help design better, more equitable futures.
Core Conference Themes
The 2026 programme will cover a wide range of interconnected topics, including:
- Agglomeration, Clusters, and Externalities
- AI and Big Data in Regional Studies
- Circular Economy, Green and Just Transitions
- Demography, Labour Markets, and Migration
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation Systems
- Financing Regional Development and Change
- Gender, Diversity, and Equity in Regional Development
- Regional Governance, Policies, and Institutional Change
- Global Value Chains and International Business
- Peripheral and Cross-border Regions
- Populism, Nationalism, and Social Change
- Regional Development in the Global South
- Regional Inequalities and EU Cohesion Policy
- Regional Innovation and Technological Change
- Spatial Economy, Infrastructure, and Housing
This broad scope reflects the RSA’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and its mission to strengthen dialogue between academia, policy, and practice.
Calls and Deadlines
- Session Proposal Submission: 30 January 2026
- Conference Bursary Applications: 30 January 2026
- Early Career Plenary Speaker Call: 30 January 2026
- Abstract Submission Deadline: 19 February 2026
- Early-bird Registration Opens: 27 February 2026
- Standard Registration Opens: 1 April 2026
Researchers, practitioners, and policymakers are invited to submit session proposals and individual abstracts aligned with the conference’s core themes. Sessions should include all speakers and confirmed presentation titles prior to submission. Proposals that are interdisciplinary, internationally collaborative, or thematically innovative are particularly encouraged.
- Submit session proposals here: https://www.regionalstudies.org/2026-rsa-annual-conference-session-submissions/
- Submit abstracts (up to 250 words): https://lounge.regionalstudies.org/Meetings/Meeting?ID=565
Key Sessions and Highlights
- Opening Plenary: Regions as Arenas in a Changing World – Rethinking Spatial Theories
- The Long Shadows of History: Can Regions Escape Their Past?
- Closing Plenary: Rethinking Research Agendas for Regional Studies
Each session will feature thought-provoking presentations and discussions led by international experts in regional science, geography, economics, and planning.
Academic Organisers
The 2026 conference is academically coordinated by Martin Henning, Roman Martin, Hanna Martin, and Sarah Franz of the Centre for Regional Analysis (CRA) at the University of Gothenburg.
Participation and Inclusivity
The RSA Annual Conference remains an open and inclusive event, welcoming contributions from scholars at all career stages — including postgraduate students, early-career researchers, and established professionals. It also invites participants working in policy, governance, and practice to contribute applied insights and policy-relevant perspectives.
The RSA encourages innovative networking formats, ensuring that the event serves as a space for intellectual exchange and professional growth.
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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the hosting organization. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
