Recent years have been dominated by external shocks (the Covid pandemic, war in Ukraine), crises (in energy, cost of living) and emergencies (the climate emergency, African food crisis). During this time regional research and debate has focused on regions ‘in crisis’, ‘in transition’ and ‘in recovery’. While it is too early to declare an end to these turbulent times, the focus is switching to the impact of the changes to how people, work and human activity is taking place in, between and across regions. Discussion is also centring on planning the future design, form and function of regions, cities and rural areas.

The Regional Studies Association Winter Conference 2023 presents a timely opportunity to discuss and debate these important issues, to establish the need and nature of future research imperatives in the field, and to assess options for practitioners and policymakers in working towards better regional futures.

The conference organisers are keen to attract papers and sessions which identify new fields of enquiry, address broad research and policy agendas, and include contributions from any discipline offering relevant insights at local and regional levels. Papers which are highly innovative, collaborative, international or multi-disciplinary are especially welcome.