Regional Studies Association Strategy 2026-30
The RSA’s 2026-30 strategic plan supports the Association’s vision of a world where policies and practices affecting regional development are shaped by robust research evidence, regardless of where they are enacted or who makes the decisions. The plan is rooted in the RSA’s shared values as an international, interdisciplinary community for regional research, development and policy, and sets out four priorities for the Association to 2030:
- Champion high-quality regional research
- Strengthen regional research and knowledge networks
- Grow and diversify the regional studies community
- Contribute to a just and sustainable future
Why this plan, why now?
There has arguably never been a more critical moment for the Association to promote the importance of regions and regional research. Given the multiple challenges to the well-being of people living in different regions across the world arising from geopolitical conflicts, persistent economic inequalities and accelerating climate and biodiversity crises, the use of research evidence to inform the sustainable development of regions is of growing political, social, economic and environmental importance. At the same time, faced with challenges to academic freedoms and funding, regional researchers increasingly look to organisations like the RSA to provide leadership, advocacy, community and support.
For these reasons, a new strategic plan is of vital importance to the RSA. Founded in 1965, the Association has a long-standing reputation as a welcoming community for regional researchers, practitioners, and policymakers. By talking to members and others throughout 2024-25, a compelling picture emerged of the RSA’s work that should be cherished and further developed, along with new opportunities and challenges to focus on.
The 2026-30 RSA strategic plan, therefore, revisits, reinforces, and clarifies what the Association is and stands for, 60 years after its founding. Its aims and priorities reflect themes the community recognises as essential to the future of regional studies, providing the RSA Board and staff with a clear roadmap to work on together on behalf of members. By publishing and promoting the plan, the aim is also to help the regional studies community and those beyond it better understand the RSA’s work, encouraging participation in and support for regional studies.
Measuring progress and celebrating success
The RSA’s 2026-30 strategic plan is ambitious but, with contributions from members, territorial and research networks, authors, editors, reviewers, conference and event presenters, committee and Board members, staff, RSA partners and others, progress against its strategic priorities and towards its vision is achievable.
Under the leadership of the RSA Board, detailed implementation planning is delegated to RSA committees and its staff team. Implementation is focused on one or more of the ‘what we want to achieve’ points against each strategic priority, with progress monitored through regular Board meetings and reported annually, through the RSA’s Trustee Annual Report.
As an Association, we use qualitative and quantitative evidence for each ‘what we want to achieve’ statement in the plan. Overall, we will monitor our performance through measures of:
- Research visibility, impact and influence
- Network growth and connectivity
- Membership growth, equity and diversity
- Environmental impact
- Financial sustainability