RSA Women's Network

About the Network

The RSA Women’s Network is a space for women across the Regional Studies Association community to connect and share experiences and issues that matter most to them in academic and professional life. Open to women at all career stages, from students to senior academics and practitioners, the Network exists to build a supportive, informal community where women can speak openly about the realities of working in regional studies and related fields.

Conversations within the Network cover a wide range of topics, including career progression, work-life balance, international collaborations, navigating academic structures, managing care responsibilities alongside research and teaching, and broader questions of equity and representation within the discipline. The aim is not just to discuss but also to create peer support and practical solutions that can be carried into institutions and working life.

Hybrid Events at RSA Conferences

The Women’s Network is committed to holding a hybrid session at every in-person RSA Annual Conference, ensuring that members can take part whether they are attending in the room or joining remotely. This ongoing commitment reflects the Network’s recognition that flexibility matters, caring responsibilities, travel costs, and other commitments can make in-person attendance difficult, and the hybrid format means no one has to miss out on the discussion.

These sessions typically take the shape of facilitated discussions, panel conversations, or informal networking gatherings, giving members the chance to meet one another, hear from peers at different career stages, and discuss themes such as collaborative working and care in academia. Details of each conference’s Women’s Network session are shared in advance via RSA communications channels.

We were delighted to have Sandy MacDonald present her experiences of International Collaborations at the 2026 Annual Conference, which generated much discussion amongst participants. Click the link to find her International Collaborations presentation.

Forthcoming Event

2026 Regional Futures Conference: RSA Women’s Network Session (Hybrid)

Networks That Work: Stories from Academic Journeys
Friday 13 November 09:00 – 10:30 GMT

View the program here

This hybrid session is a chance to join the discussion, in person or online. New members and people interested in getting involved with the Women’s Network are especially welcome, and it is an easy way to connect with a supportive community.

This year’s session takes a practical focus, inspired by a suggestion from one of our members. Our speakers will share their own experiences of networks in academic life:

Which networks have helped them in their academic journey, and how
The networks they have worked with, and how they built them
Whether women-only networks offer a different kind of support
The difficulties they have faced along the way

There will be time for questions and open discussion, both in the room and online.

Speakers

Mariachiara Barzotto (joining online), School of Management, University of Bath, UK
Ilaria Mariotti, Chair of the RSA Publications Committee, Department of Architecture and Urban Studies (DAStU), Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Palesa Mpofu (joining online), RSA Student Member; University of South Africa
Betsy Donald, Chair of the RSA Research Committee, Queen’s University, Canada
Lavanya Gupta (joining online), RSA Blog Editor; PhD candidate, Rural Development, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India

With an introduction by Sandy McDonald, RSA Retired Member, UK

Chair: Alex Holmes, Regional Studies Association

How to join
In person: Tangley Room. No booking needed for registered delegates.
Online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88107111102

Stay Connected: WhatsApp Group

Between conferences, members can stay in touch through the Network’s WhatsApp group, an informal, ongoing space for conversation and community building. It is simple to ask questions and share opportunities here, with others who understand the day-to-day challenges of academic and professional life.

If you would like to join the WhatsApp group, please get in touch with Alex from the RSA team, who will be happy to provide more information.

Get Involved

The RSA Women’s Network is open to all RSA members who identify as women and want to be part of this community. Whether you are looking to attend a conference session, join the WhatsApp group, or simply find out more, get in touch with us.

The RSA Women's Network

Forthcoming Event

Women's Network Events