In 2021, we are happy to announce that the Regional Studies Institutional Ambassador Award goes to
The Territorial Development Unit, Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Spain
On behalf of all the colleagues who have worked and are working in the Territorial Development Unit since its creation in 2016, I am deeply honoured and grateful to the Regional Studies Association to be awarded the Regional Studies Institutional Ambassador Award. This is a milestone achievement for the Unit and witnesses the excellence of the JRC as science-for-policy organisation. Through these years we have strived to enhance and consolidate our scientific reputation, as we know that only through excellence in science can we also be credible at the highest level at supporting policy-making. This award brings a higher level of responsibility for us that we are ready to take. We will continue to work with commitment and enthusiasm in the coming years within the scientific community, and also with stakeholders and practitioners on the ground, in order to truly serve better policy-making for the European citizens in all the places where they live and work.
Alessandro Rainoldi, Head of the Territorial Development Unit, Joint Research Centre, European Commission, Spain
On behalf of the Board of the Regional Studies Association, Ron Boschma, Utrecht University, The Netherlands & Stavanger University, Norway and the Chair of Research Committee awarded the 2021 Award virtually:
The JRC Territorial Development Unit supports the urban and territorial articulation of the EU policy agenda, its external investment, and global outreach. Its aim is to deliver world-class science-for-policy support to bring Europe closer to her citizens and places, turning territorial diversity into value, as well as to strengthening the EU global role in putting forward place-based solutions for recovery and sustainability, and localising global agendas.
The unit builds on a team of around 40 scientists and policy officers, located both in Seville, Spain, and in Ispra, Italy, and with a unique combination of knowledge, data, methods, analytical and modelling tools as well as extensive links to urban, local, regional, national and international stakeholders, authorities and communities.
This award is in recognition of a leading institution in the field for their promotion of regional issues. Previous winners of this award include: Centre for Innovation Research, University of Stavanger, Norway; the Regional Australia Institute, Australia; the Lincoln Institute of Land and Policy, USA; the OECD Regional Team; Routledge Publishing; EUROREG, University of Warsaw, Poland; and the Centre for Urban and Regional Development Studies at the University of Newcastle, UK.