Date and time
Important Dates
- Special Session proposal deadline: closed
- Early Career Plenary Speaker Call: closed
- Abstract submission deadline: closed (aiming to inform people of acceptance by end of January 2025)
- Conference bursary application deadline: closed
- Registration to open: 4th February 2025
The Regional Studies Association’s Annual Conference 2025 #RSA25 is being held in partnership with the School of Economics and Management at the University of Porto, Portugal. This four-day conference brings together academics and policymakers to exchange news, views and research findings from the fields of regional studies and science, regional and economic development, policy and planning. There will be representation from around 55 different global territories as we gather both established experts and early career researchers in the beautiful city of Porto.
The conference will feature 550+ presentations, high-profile plenary speakers, a number of specially convened sessions, workshops, professional development and networking sessions, walking tours and field trips. The social programme will include the conference dinner and a reception, side events, exhibitor stalls and post-conference tours to explore Porto and the North of Portugal.
Call for abstracts
In recent years, the landscape of regional development has undergone significant shifts. While technological advancements keep disrupting work, innovation, and consumption paradigms, regions grapple with an enduring global ‘polycrisis’, intertwining geopolitical instability, threats to democracy, and climate-related tension. Multiple actors became increasingly involved with regional development affairs, but this did not prevent many regions to fall into regional economic development traps. Simultaneously, policy agendas strive to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inclusive growth and well-being, and multiple transitions are accelerating, but progress remains highly uneven across geographical contexts. Regional actors are not just passive observers but can actively shape their destinies and be transformation agents within this dynamic playing field. But what knowledge can regional studies contribute? How can regional studies help envision, conceptualize, understand, and – importantly – catalyze action toward new regional futures?
Navigating Regional Transformation provides a timely opportunity to engage in dialogue and renewed debate on these fundamental issues. It invites exploration of the challenges faced by diverse regions worldwide and underscores the manifold ways in which regional studies can help addressing these pressing issues and collectively navigate the complexities of our changing regional world.
Conference themes
| Innovation and Technological Change | University Missions and Civic Action |
| Land, Housing, Informality | Geopolitics and North-South Relations |
| Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurial Ecosystems | Sustainability Transitions and the Environment |
| Agglomeration, Networks and Clusters | Digitalization, AI, and its Implications |
| Value Chains and Foreign Investment | Politics, Governance, Leadership and Institutional Change |
| Spatial Economy, Transport, and Infrastructure | Populism, Nationalism, Regionalism and Democracy |
| Industrial Transformation and Policy | Race, Gender and Social Inequalities |
| Regional Disparities and EU Cohesion Policy | Peripheral, Remote and Cross-Border Regions |
| Sustainable Tourism | Inclusive Growth, Housing and Well-Being |
| Regions, Culture, and Creativity | Finance, Space, and Regional Development |
| Demography, Labour Markets and Migrations | Planning Urban, Rural and Regional Futures |
Conference Fees and Registration
Registration will open at the beginning of February 2025.
We offer different rates for members and non-members and have tiered members’ conference fees depending on your countries band. If you are not yet an RSA member, then now is a good time to join the community to benefit from a discounted conference fee in addition to accessing journals, policy impact books, professional development resources, funding opportunities, discounts and much more.
Signing up as an RSA member will offer you a discounted conference rate, so registering as a member and then registering for the conference is likely to be cheaper than paying the non-members rate. For details on membership categories, bands, benefits and rates, please see the relevant career-stage category at www.regionalstudies.org/about/memberships/ or get in touch with Alex Holmes at alex.holmes@regionalstudies.org
To benefit from the reduced rate, become an RSA member, then refresh the page / log in and out of the system, then register for the conference at the reduced RSA member’s rate. It may at times take up to 15 minutes for the system to update between becoming a member and registration.
| Early Bird Rates before 28 Feb 2025 | Individual/Corporate | Early Career/Retired | Student |
| Band A | £419 | £355 | £329 |
| Band B | £392 | £308 | £282 |
| Band C | £319 | £245 | £219 |
| Band D | £250 | £199 | £177 |
| Non-member | £546 | £546 | £546 |
| Normal Rates from 1 Mar 2025 | Individual/ Corporate | Early Career/ Retired | Student |
| Band A | £471 | £408 | £382 |
| Band B | £445 | £361 | £334 |
| Band C | £371 | £298 | £271 |
| Band D | £303 | £261 | £229 |
| Non-member | £598 | £598 | £598 |
Registration is due to open beginning February 2025
Academic Organisers
Luís Carvalho, School of Economics and Management, University of Porto, Portugal
Isabel Mota, School of Economics and Management, University of Porto, Portugal
Aurora Teixeira, School of Economics and Management, University of Porto, Portugal
RSA Conference Manager
Nicola Pilling
Nicola.pilling@regionalstudies.org
Technical Tours (available to book soon)
Porto Beyond Tourism
Date and Time: 6 May 10am
Meeting Point: São Bento train station
Organisers: José Alberto Rio Fernandes (U.Porto, Dep. of Geography) & Jorge Ricardo Pinto (ISCET-Technical School of Business and Tourism)
Summary
A walk on the East part of Porto´s downtown is an invitation to get back in time into the industrial periphery of Porto and its romantic 19th century, starting inside the XIV century wall. It is also an opportunity to observe and discuss recent changes in an area where immigration and gentrification takes place and to see districts located away from the tourist circuit.
Guided Tour to Porto’s Botanical Garden and Hall of Biodiversity
Date and Time: 6 May 10.00-12.00
Meeting Point: Rua do Campo Alegre, 1191
Organisers: Maria João Fonseca
Summary:
The Botanical Garden of the University of Porto is part of the second pole of the MHNC-UP, located in the old Quinta do Campo Alegre in Porto. It is a garden of great botanical, historical, artistic and literary interest, in which the interventions of the late 19th century and the second half of the 20th century stand out and whose history evokes important figures of 20th century Portuguese literature. The garden houses the Hall of Biodiversity – Ciência Viva Center, a space dedicated to the promotion of scientific culture in the scope of the biological sciences, evolution and biodiversity.
In the Heart of Innovation: An Immersive Journey at UPTEC
Date and Time: 6 May 14.30-15.30
Meeting Point: UPTEC Asprela I (Rua Alfredo Allen 455/461, 4200-235 Porto)
Organisers: Maria Oliveira / Isabel Martins Silva, UPTEC
Summary:
The tour to UPTEC — Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, one of Europe’s most prominent innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, will provide an in-depth immersion into a vibrant community of startups and innovative companies that are shaping forward-thinking solutions across diverse industries, including the arts, sciences, and technology. During the visit, the delegation will be welcomed by UPTEC’s Executive Director, Maria Oliveira, who will share an overview of our mission, the impact of our initiatives in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship nationally and globally, and success stories emerging from our dynamic community. The group will then have the opportunity to visit UPTEC’s Product Development Lab, a specialised facility dedicated to transforming ideas into tangible products using cutting-edge resources and expertise. This visit is designed to offer a comprehensive understanding of UPTEC’s pivotal role in connecting academia and industry, fostering knowledge transfer, and driving sustainable economic development.
From a Former Refinery (Petrogal) into a New Future
Date and Time: 9 May 14.45-17.00
Meeting Point: Faculty of Economics, University of Porto (transport by BUS to Leça, and return to FEP at about 17h15)
Organiser: Celeste Varum (GALP)
Summary:
Visit to the former Petrogal refinery in Leça/Matosinhos. Once the beating heart of the region’s petrochemical industry, it is in the process of transformation to become an epicentre of innovation. During the visit, we will take a bus tour inside the refinery, where we will be able to see the dismantling work, always with maximum safety, a focus on sustainability, and minimal environmental impact. We will give a snapshot of the ambitious project that aims to transform the industrial space into an eco-smart city 15’ mins, including a dynamic technology, research and development centre by the beach, with 2 km seafront. You will have the opportunity to interact with those responsible for the project and better understand the challenges and opportunities of this transformation.
Visit to CIMMAR – Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research
Date and Time: 9 May 15.00-16.00
Meeting Point: Port of Leixões Cruise Terminal (Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões). Avenida General Norton de Matos, S/N, 4450-208, Matosinhos
Organiser: Marta Correia, CIMMAR
Summary:
CIIMAR is a leading research institution within the University of Porto, working at the frontier of Ocean Knowledge and Innovation. CIIMAR fosters an integrated approach to promote the understanding of biological, physical and chemical dynamics of Ocean and coastal areas, aiming to unravel Ocean and ecosystems functioning, the impact of human activities and responses to Global Changes. The visit to CIIMAR consist of a guided tour of our facilities – which locate within a port cruise terminal. During the visit, and due to the architecture of our laboratories, it will be possible to closely observe the operations and in situ work conducted by various research groups. Throughout the tour, the work carried out by CIIMAR is explained, focusing on different aspects, from the main research lines addressing Marine Biotechnology, Aquaculture, and the study and conservation of various aquatic ecosystems, to education and the discussion of the importance of the Ocean and its study and preservation. The visit also provides insights into the functioning and atmosphere of our reseach centre, as well as a glimpse into the daily life of our scientists.
Guided Tour to the University of Porto: Ferreira da Silva Lab, Historical Building, and “Casa Comum”
Date and Time: 9 May 15.30-17.00
Meeting Point: Praça Gomes Teixeira, Building of the University of Porto´s Rectory (Lion’s Square)
Organiser: Maria João Fonseca
Summary:
During this guided tour, covering the central and historical premises of the University of Porto, you see the Ferreira da Silva Lab, part of Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto, the historical building of the University of Porto, and “Casa Comum”, a cultural meeting point of the University of Porto.
Bombarda – A Creative and Cultural District in Porto
Date and Time: 10 May 15.00-17.30
Meeting Point: National Museum Soares dos Reis
Organiser: Tânia Almeida Santos, Bombarda, Portugal
Summary
We propose a walking vist to Porto´s Bombarda district, a dense concentration of cultural, arts and creative businesses in the city, exploring its streetscape, history and recent developments. We will also sit down to discuss the district´s current initiatives and projects to address the digital transition, circular economy challenges and governance modes to keep fostering strong and resilient communities in the district.
More technical tours to confirm shortly.
Technical tours will be available to book when registration opens beginning of February 2025.