Regional Studies Association Student Representative Board Member position available from 1st January 2021.
One exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic PhD Student to join the Board of the Regional Studies Association.
The RSA is an established global Association and a place on the Board will enable successful candidates to engage with colleagues from students and early career researchers through to high profile academics and policymakers internationally at meetings, conferences and social events. For more information on the RSA, please go to www.regionalstudies.org
The successful candidate will be actively involved and participate not only in the discussion and exchanges among the Board members at their (normally) three meetings per annum but will be expected to participate with them in the delivery of the Association’s aims and objects. The post is an observer post and carries no right to vote and no associated liabilities but in practice the post holder will be encouraged to participate openly in meetings.
During the term of office, the post holder will meet distinguished scholars, develop his/her organisational and interpersonal communication ability and benefit from our Board Members’ experience. This position offers a unique opportunity for career and network development.
Currently all meetings take place remotely. When this situation changes then reasonable travel and accommodation expenses will be covered by the Association to attend the Board meetings two of which are normally held in London and third is usually linked to the Association’s annual conference which moves around Europe.
The Student Representative has the following deliverables:
- to actively engage in RSA Board meeting either in person or by sending in papers for discussion;
- to proactively develop ideas on how to strengthen the RSA’s early career networks and how to engage students and early career members;
- to work strategically with the RSA office and Board to improve and refine the membership benefits for students and early career members;
- to proactively post, and encourage others to post, on the RSA Student and Early Career Facebook platform www.facebook.com/groups/156406957851069;
- to write a minimum of one short article per year for the RSA Blog https://blog.regionalstudies.org/
- to proactively, with support of the RSA office team, develop student/ECR sessions at RSA events;
- to champion the RSA to suitable networks and individuals to help the RSA grow its network and reach globally.
The Student Representative position is open to current PhD Students who are members of the RSA.
Feedback by our previous Student Representative Dr Vanessa Guerra, Virginia Tech College of Architecture and Urban Studies & PEC Consultant at IDB’s Urban Development and Housing Sector
“Serving as the student representative at the RSA has been a very stimulating and rewarding experience. It allowed me to engage in a broad range of activities and work closely with a vibrant network of people working in urban and regional studies, including scholars, practitioners, and RSA staff members. Through this position, I facilitated thematic webinars, writing group sessions, and other initiatives (during such challenging times due to the COVID emergency), which has not only been gratifying, but it has also contributed to my personal and professional development. The RSA is a fantastic organization that genuinely cares about supporting its members and providing unique opportunities. I am proud to be part of this community, and I am grateful I was given a chance to give back a little of all that this community gives me”.
Additional information for both posts:
Candidates are more likely to be successful if they have already engaged with the Association through attendance at an event, applications for grants or through publication in any of our channels including Facebook and the blog.
The appointment is for a one-year term with the option to extend for a second term depending on the deliverables being met.
To learn more about the current RSA Board, visit: www.regionalstudies.org/about/committee/rsa-board
Application process:
Please send a letter of application (up to 500 words) in which you describe why you would be the ideal Student Representative on the RSA Board, what initiatives you would plan to undertake to promote the RSA and engage with the regional studies/ regional science community, your CV and a reference from your line manager to Daniela Carl at daniela.carl@regionalstudies.org. The deadline for applications is 17.00 (GMT) Wednesday 16th December 2020.
Applications will be shortlisted by the RSA Chair, RSA Secretary and CEO with input from the RSA staff team.