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Student

We welcome undergraduate, Master and PhD students as members and offer a variety of professional development training, mentored publishing platforms for presenting work to international audiences, and opportunities to network with researchers and policymakers. From £17 per year for new members.

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Networking and Community

  • Benefit from on-demand and live professional development training via the Professional Development webinars
  • Access on-demand presentations by acclaimed experts via the RSA Webinar series, such as the Regions, Cities and Industry webinars
  • Reach a global audience of academics, policymakers and practitioners at RSA events and via our publications
  • Connect with others via RSA-funded research networks and network via the RSA Hub app
  • Connect with RSA Territorial Networks: Ambassadors, International Divisions, Country Sections, and UK sub-national Branches
  • Subscribe to the monthly eBulletin (newsletter) to stay updated with RSA news and deadlines
  • Publish in the RSA Blog and share your research/insights with the global RSA community
  • Connect with others via the Student and Early Career Facebook group
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Funding Opportunities

  • Up to £11,000 of renewable Research Network funding to organise events to discuss key questions in your area of interest
  • Up to £16,500 for a Policy Expo grant to connect your work and wider communities to societal questions and policy needs
  • Up to £1,000 Start-Up grant funding for Band C/D members
  • Apply for a conference bursary (a free conference place) at charged RSA conferences
  • Up to £550 Travel Grant towards travel costs when attending an RSA or non-RSA event
  • Recent Masters students can apply for the Nathaniel Lichfield Award for a chance to win £500 and a certificate
  • PhD Students can apply for the RSA Paul Benneworth PhD Student Award for a chance to win £500 and a certificate
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Publications

  • Annual subscription of Regional Studies (online only)
  • Annual subscription of Spatial Economic Analysis (online only)
  • Annual subscription of Territory, Politics, Governance (online only)
  • Regional Studies, Regional Science (open access, online only)
  • Annual subscription of Area Development and Policy (online only)
  • Annual subscription of Finance and Space (online only)
  • Regions, the Association’s e-magazine (online only)
  • Policy Impact books (online and print)
  • Access to 23 subject-related e-journals

As a PhD student, you want to learn more about your discipline’s broad areas of study, participate in academic discussions, interact with other students, attend conferences and become a well-informed academician. One can support their academic path at RSA, one of the world’s top learning associations. As a student member of RSA, I have access to RSA journals that offer rigorous academic discussion, participate in various professional development webinars, and write a blog that gives researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers in regional studies a platform to share their research findings. Additionally, a PhD student might benefit from various options such as APC waiver discounts, travel funds, etc. There is no other venue for students to develop and support their academic journeys than the RSA, and skipping the RSA would result in a substantial loss of opportunity.

Sugam Agarwal, Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, India

RSA PhD Student member and Annual Conference Bursary winner, Sergio Palomeque describes what he enjoys about his RSA Membership.

Sergio Palomeque, Universidad de la República, Uruguay

It was my first time attending the RSA conference, and it was an extremely stimulating and enriching experience. I had the chance to engage with researchers from other countries, exchanging opinions and ideas. I also had the privilege of establishing new professional connections that I hope will continue to grow over time.”

 

Francesca Zagli, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Italy
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Opportunities & Development

  • Participate in professional development training sessions and access on-demand recordings of the professional development webinars
  • Present your work and network at our friendly, open and interdisciplinary conferences and webinars
  • Win one of a number of prizes awarded each year by the Association and take part in some of the judging
  • Use of the post-nominal MeRSA or FeRSA following your family name
  • Build a global reputation via RSA article marketing and recognition through RSA awards
  • Publish through the student and early-career mentored route in Regional Studies, Regional Science with a waived APC for accepted mentored papers.
  • Apply to be the RSA Board Student representative
  • Apply to become an RSA journal, Blog, or Regions editor
  • Benefit from knowledge exchange activities at EU level via the RSA’s European Foundation (RSA Europe)
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Discounts

  • 20% discount off Article Processing Charge (APC) when publishing in open access Regional Studies, Regional Science
  • Benefit from an article publishing charge (APC) waiver when publishing in ‘Regional Studies, Regional Science’s mentored Student and Early Career Paper Section
  • Discounted members’ rates to RSA conferences
  • 30% discount on books and e-books in the RSA Regions and Cities Series
  • 30% discount on all subject-related Taylor and Francis Books including Routledge
  • 30% discount on all subject-related Edward Elgar Publications books
  • 35% discount on selected subject-related Wiley books
  • 35% discount on all books from Policy Press

2026 Membership Fees

New Members
Band
Fee
A
£ 70
B
£ 51
C
£ 36
D
£ 19
Renewing Members
Band
Fee
A
£ 62
B
£ 46
C
£ 33
D
£ 17
Find your band

The student rate is for full-time students only and proof may be requested.

Join the RSA

Membership fees are for one year on a rolling basis (this means your membership will expire a full year from when you join). Membership is open to all.

Country band is determined by place of residence (not place of origin).

Those renewing their membership are eligible for a 10% discounted rate. You have the option to pay for multiple years in advance, taking advantage of the 10% discount and this year’s fee for several years. Please email Alex if this is something you wish to arrange, or if you wish to pay via Direct Debit.

Online payments by credit or debit cards are made in Sterling and we can provide an invoice for bank transfer payments.

If you have any membership queries please contact us on +44 (0)1273 698 017 or e-mail membership@regionalstudies.org.

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