Grow your network
- Benefit from Professional Development through events and webinars
- Access on-demand professional development sessions and Regions, Cities and Industry webinars
- Reach a global audience of academics, policymakers and practitioners at RSA conferences, online events and through our publications
- Connect with the RSA Student and Early Career Network, RSA-funded Research Networks, Territorial Networks, and the Women’s Network
- Subscribe to the monthly eBulletin for RSA news and deadlines
Fund your research
- Up to £11,000 in renewable Research Network funding, to organise events around a question in your area of interest
- Up to £16,500 in Policy Expo Grant funding, to connect your work with policy needs and wider communities
- Up to £1,000 in Start-Up funding for members in Band C or D
- Up to £550 in Travel Grants towards costs of attending an RSA or non-RSA event
- A free conference place through the Conference Bursary scheme
Publish and read
- Annual online subscriptions to Regional Studies, Spatial Economic Analysis, Territory, Politics, Governance, Area Development and Policy, and Finance and Space
- Full access to Regional Studies, Regional Science (open access)
- Policy Impact books, online and in print
- Publish your work in Regions or on the RSA Blog
- Discounted or included access to 23 further 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.
RSA PhD Student member and Annual Conference Bursary winner, Sergio Palomeque describes what he enjoys about his RSA Membership.
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.”
Opportunities & Development
- Recent Masters graduates can apply for the Nathaniel Lichfield Award of £500 and a certificate
- PhD students can apply for the Paul Benneworth Award for a chance to win £500 and a certificate
- Present your work and network at Student and Early Career events
- Use the post-nominal MeRSA after your name
- Build your profile through RSA article marketing and promotion
- Apply for the Student representative post on the RSA board
Member Discounts
- Discounted member rates at RSA conferences
- 20% off the Article Processing Charge when publishing open access in Regional Studies, Regional Science
- Full APC waiver when publishing through the mentored Student and Early Career Paper Section of Regional Studies, Regional Science, if accepted into the mentored programme
- 30% off the RSA’s own Regions and Cities book series
- 30–35% off books from Taylor & Francis/Routledge, Edward Elgar, Wiley and Policy Press
2026 Membership Fees
New Members
Renewing Members
Find your band
The student rate is for full-time students only and proof may be requested.
Fees and how to join
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.
Fees are based on career stage and country band. Country band is determined by your current place of residence.
- Renewing members receive a 10% discount
- Multi-year payment is available, combining the renewal discount with the current year’s rate. Email Alex for information.
- UK members can sign up for Direct Debit. Email Alex for information.
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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