Regions E-Zine 2025: Transforming Regional Economies
As we move into 2025, the Regions e-zine will focus on the overarching theme of Transforming Regional Economies, aligning with the Regional Studies Association (RSA) research priorities. The global landscape of regional development is undergoing rapid transformation due to technological advancements, shifting economic structures, and evolving policy frameworks. Our 2025 issues will explore this transformation through three carefully selected sub-themes that address resilience, technological change, and place-based development.
Regions e-zine is committed to engaging both policymakers and early career researchers. We welcome diverse perspectives from academics, practitioners, and policymakers who can contribute insights into past experiences and future directions in regional economic transformation.
Regions e-zine priority target groups for contributors in 2025:
- Policymakers – Translating cutting-edge research into actionable insights that inform regional policy and governance.
- Early Career Researchers – Providing a platform to showcase innovative research and contribute to academic and policy discussions.
Issue 21 (April 2025): Reflecting on the Past, Shaping the Future – Lessons from 60 Years of the Regional Studies Association
In the face of persistent regional disparities, the past 60 years have provided valuable lessons on economic resilience, industrial change, and policy innovation. This issue will reflect on the key transformations that have shaped regional economies over the last century and provide forward-looking perspectives on what the next years might hold. Topics of interest include:
- The impact of regional development policies on economic resilience and convergence.
- Long-term industrial, innovation, and trade policy shifts and their regional implications.
- The role of global institutions, cross-border cooperation, and multilateral agreements in shaping regional development.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of targeted policies such as special economic zones, innovative specialisation strategies, cluster development and economic corridors.
- The role of multi-level governance in shaping regional economic trajectories.
- How institutional frameworks have adapted to globalisation, digitalisation, and climate change.
- Leadership and governance in fostering inclusive growth, innovation, and economic renewal.
- The challenges and opportunities of decentralisation, participatory decision-making, and stakeholder engagement in regional policy.
- Cluster policy and dynamics.
- Classic and contemporary regional development models.
Theme | Transforming Regional Economies | |
Issue 21
April 2025 |
Reflecting on the Past, Shaping the Future – Lessons from 60 Years of the Regional Studies Association |
Submission deadline: April 21st Publication date: Last week of April 2025 |
Issue 22
September 2025 |
AI, Digitalization, and the Next Frontier of Regional Development |
Submission deadline: August 25th Publication date: The first week of September 2025 |
Issue 23
December 2025 |
Building Resilient and Sustainable Regional Economies – The Role of Place-Based Strategies |
Submission deadline: December 8th Publication date: The second week of December 2025 |
Regions is the voice of the membership of the Regional Studies Association.
If you are interested in submitting something then contact us at office@regionalstudies.org and we will work closely with you to help your article appear in a way most interesting to our readership
Best regards,
Editorial Team
Eduardo Oliveira | Stefania Fiorentino | Robert Bowen
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General inquiry: office@regionalstudies.org