ERSA Monthly news & updates September Issue – 09/2026

In this issue you will find: ERSA2026 Highlights ERSA2027 Highlights Journals news Upcoming events Other news We wish you a good reading

#ERSA2026

ERSA2026 Congress: Relive the highlights Missed a session or simply want to revisit the discussions, ideas and insights from ERSA2026 in Sofia? The recordings from the 65th ERSA Congress are now available on YouTube. Explore the ERSA2026 Congress Playlist, featuring selected recordings including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, keynote lectures and special round tables. 🎥 Watch the ERSA2026 Congress Playlist A recommended watch: The Big Five Round Table – “A European Perspective on a Turbulent World” One of the highlights of ERSA2026 was this special high-level discussion featuring Mario Draghi, former President of the European Central Bank and former Prime Minister of Italy, and Paul Krugman, Nobel Prize laureate in Economic Sciences, together with Prof. Roberta Capello, ERSA President, Prof. Eduardo Haddad from the University of São Paulo, and Prof. Martin Andersson from Sweden. The discussion explored Europe’s competitiveness, the future of the European single market, industrial policy, investment, innovation and regional cohesion in an increasingly turbulent global context. Watch the Big Five Round Table and explore the full ERSA2026 Playlist on YouTube.

#ERSA2027

ERSA2027: Special Session Proposals Planning for the 66th ERSA Congress in Milan, Italy, on 23–26 August 2027 is already underway. Stay tuned! Information on the opening of the call for Special Session proposals will be shared in October. More details and submission information will be announced soon.

See you in Milan for #ERSA2027! 🇮🇹

Journals News

Global Challenges and Regional Science (GCRS) Volume 7 Check out the latest paper: “Assessing regional production potential to strengthen the security of supply in strategic products” Authors: Matthias Firgo, Fabian Gabelberger, Andreas Reinstaller, Yvonne Wolfmayr more information about the latest issue

Regional Science Policy & Practice (RSPP) Volume 18, Issue 12 Check out the latest paper: “Shock and recovery in regional labor markets: Spatial diagnostics of labor force participation and employment in Vietnam, 2018–2024” Author: Mitsuhiko Kataoka more information about this issue

Papers in Regional Science (PiRS) Volume 105, Issue 5 Latest Article: “Understanding location preferences of firms in the circular economy” Author: Merten Nefs, Maryam Omar more information about this issue

New Article in REGION Vol. 13 No. 2 (2026)   Latest Article: “Measuring Market Accessibility of Insular Areas based on Network Distance and Shipment Cost – The case of Greek Islands” Authors: Theodore Tsekeris, Vassilis Lychnaras, Costas Passas, Georgia Skintzi Explore the issue

News from Scienze Regionali Indice del numero speciale/2026, supplemento: “Cities and Regions in the Digital Era: The Challenge of the Circular Economy Transition” Article: “Evaluating Cohesion Policy Funding to SMEs in the Tourism Sector. Which Italian Regions Perform Better?” Authors: Andrea Conte, Anabela Santos Explore the issue

Review of Regional Research (RRR) Latest Article: Working While Studying and Graduate Migration: New Evidence Accounting for Multinomial Endogenous Treatment by Elena Del Rey & Jorge González Chapela Access to all publications here

Investigaciones Regionales – Journal of Regional Research Investigaciones Regionales – Journal of Regional Research has published the 65rd Issue, the second volume corresponding to 2026. Below you will find the summaries of the papers published in this volume, which can be accessed at https://investigacionesregionales.org/en/revista/spatial-econometrics-and-regional-science-in-memoriam-of-jesus-mur-and-ana-angulo/ We invite authors to submit papers at https://investigacionesregionales.org/en/envio-de-articulos/submission-of-papers-and-others-contributions/

Romanian Journal of Regional Science – 20th Anniversary! At the end of June the Romanian Journal of Regional Science has launched Vol. 20, Issue 1, Summer 2026, celebrating 20 years of continuous, uninterrupted activity! The latest issue can be accessed here: (https://www.rjrs.ase.ro/index.php/current-issue/)

Journal of Regional & Urban Economics (JRUE/RERU) Check out the journal’s latest issue The latest Special Issue of JRUE/RERU brings together original contributions on creativity and innovation as drivers of territorial transitions and resilience. more

Portuguese Review of Regional Studies (RPER): Nº 75 (2026) is already available! No. 75 (2026): Portuguese Review of Regional Studies Editor-in-Chief: José Cadima Ribeiro Co-Editors: Conceição Rego and João Marques Special Issue: Innovative Approaches in Education, Technology and Tourism for Sustainable Development Guest Editors: Rui Alexandre Castanho, João Vidal Carvalho and António Abreu Published: 17-08-2026 More information at: https://www.review-rper.com/index.php/rper/issue/view/75

Journal of Economic Geography We are pleased to invite submissions to a Special Issue for the Journal of Economic Geography on: “Advancing Economic Geography with AI: Opportunities, Challenges and Innovations.” Official CFP link: https://academic.oup.com/joeg/pages/advancing-economic-geo-ai Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how we study spatial-economic processes—from text analysis and network-based methods to spatial modeling and GeoAI. While these developments have gained traction in related fields, their integration into economic geography remains uneven. This Special Issue aims to bring together theoretically grounded, methodologically rigorous, and critically reflective research at the intersection of AI and economic geography. We welcome contributions that explore, for example: How can AI reveal new spatial-economic patterns? How can unstructured or high-dimensional data (patents, firm reports, mobility traces) inform spatial economic analysis? How can AI help rethink concepts like relatedness, agglomeration, spatial inequality, regional development, and global production networks? What are the theoretical and ethical implications of using AI in economic geography? How can AI insights translate into actionable, place-based policy recommendations? Paper Development Workshop: Selected contributors will be invited to a one-day online Paper Development Workshop in October 2026. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to receive detailed, one-on-one feedback from the guest editors and invited discussants to refine manuscripts prior to formal submission. Key Deadlines Extended abstracts (1,000 words): June 30, 2026 Workshop invitations: July 31, 2026 Draft papers: September 20, 2026 Full paper submission: January 31, 2027   Submission of abstracts: Please email: yiou.zhang@tcu.edu, mabb@business.aau.dk and fvdw@hku.hk

Journal of the Knowledge Economy We are pleased to share an opportunity to publish your research in a Special Issue of the Journal of the Knowledge Economy (Springer Nature), title Research and Solidarity: Global, Regional and Local Perspectives. This issue focuses on research guided by knowledge co-creation, inclusivity, and social responsibility — and on how solidarity reshapes knowledge economies across multiple scales. Both theoretical/conceptual papers and empirical case studies are welcome. More information you will find here: https://link.springer.com/collections/deaaaaccch If you are interested in submitting the paper please contact: morawska@amu.edu.pl

Upcoming events

Spanish Section AECR invites ERSA members to celebrate 50 years of Regional Science The Spanish Association of Regional Science (AECR) is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and we are delighted to share this special milestone with the international Regional Science community. On this occasion, AECR warmly invites ERSA members to join us for the activities taking place as part of the Barcelona 2026 Regional Science Meetings. The celebration will provide an opportunity to look back on five decades of Regional Science in Spain, recognise the contributions of the many researchers and institutions that have shaped our community, and, above all, strengthen the links between the Spanish, European and international Regional Science communities. A special event: AECR: 50 years building knowledge for regional development A particular highlight of the programme will be the roundtable discussion on Friday, entitled: “AECR: 50 years building knowledge for regional development” Moderated by Fernando Rubiera, President of AECR, the session will bring together representatives of leading Regional Science associations and will reflect on the origins, development and internationalisation of our discipline. We are especially pleased to welcome Roberta Capello, President of ERSA, who will speak on the importance of scientific associations since the origins of Regional Science, reflecting on the emergence and expansion of the discipline and the role of scientific associations in the European and international context. The roundtable will also feature Janet E. Kohlhase, President of RSAI, as well as congratulatory messages from presidents and representatives of Regional Science associations around the world. The programme will also include a contribution by Josep M. Carreras, a long-standing member of AECR, on the origins and early years of the Association, followed by a roundtable discussion on the history of the Spanish Association of Regional Science through its presidents, with Juan R. Cuadrado, Pere A. Salvà, Martí Parellada, Vicent Soler and Jordi Suriñach. This celebration is an opportunity not only to look back on 50 years of AECR, but also to celebrate the strength of our international community and to reflect together on the future of Regional Science and its contribution to understanding and supporting regional development. We warmly invite all ERSA members to join us in Barcelona and be part of this special celebration. You can find the full programme of the Barcelona 2026 Regional Science Meetings here: Full programme – Barcelona 2026 Regional Science Meetings We look forward to celebrating 50 years of AECR with you!

Hungarian Section Hungarian Regional Science Association 24th Annual Meeting “The role of universities in regional and urban development”   Debrecen, 21-22 October 2026 University of Debrecen https://www.mrtt.hu/en/annual_meeting_2026.html

Polish Section ERSA – Polish section invites to the: 42nd International Scientific Conference “Contemporary Processes of Transformation in Industry and Services“ which will take place at the University of the National Education Commission, Krakow on December 6–8, 2026. Keynote Speakers: Roberta Capello, Robert Hassink, Paweł Churski, Danuta Piróg. The event is organized in partnership with the ERSA – Polish Section. Website and more information: https://przemysl.uken.krakow.pl/en/home/ Registration: open until September 30, 2026.

Israeli Section Israeli section’s annual conference is scheduled to take place on February 22, 2027, at Sapir Academic College, Israel. Call for Papers: The deadline for paper submissions is November 15, 2027 More information soon

German Speaking Section 2027 Winter Seminar The 2027 Winter Seminar of the German-Speaking Section of the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) will be held from 21-27 February 2027 in Matrei i. Osttirol/Austria. We invite submissions of theoretical or empirical contributions with a focus on regional or spatial phenomena, and an economic, environmental, geographical or social science background. We are pleased to invite early-career researchers to apply for the Young Scientist Sessions. These sessions offer a unique one-hour presentation slot, allowing for comprehensive feedback on (also) earlier-stage papers or dissertation outlines. In addition, GfR will subsidize accommodation costs for selected Young Scientists. Detailed information is available in the Call for Extended Abstracts. For any questions, please contact: gfr@ersa.org. Please submit your extended abstract (up to 2,000 words) by 16 November 2026 in: https://gfr.ersa.org/2026/03/05/winterseminar-2027/

See all upcoming events

Other News

2026 Giorgio Rota Award for Young Researchers – Call for Papers This year’s Award is dedicated to the theme: Economic Impact of Disasters: Risk Assessment, Vulnerability and Policy Responses Further information, including the Call for Papers, the Application Form, and the Editorial Guidelines for manuscript preparation, is available on the Centro Einaudi website: https://www.centroeinaudi.it/notizie-in-evidenza/7450-economic-impact-of-disasters-risk-assessment,-vulnerability-and-policy-responses-call-for-papers.html Submission deadline: 30 September 2026. Two papers will be selected for awards of €3,000 each (gross). Awardees will present their work at the Giorgio Rota Award Ceremony, which will take place in Turin, between the end of November and the first ten days of December 2026. The event will feature an invited lecturer followed by presentations of the winning papers and a discussion.

Publications

Share Your 2026 Book Publication with the RSAI-ERSA Community Are you a member of the RSAI-ERSA Community and have recently published a book (preferably written in English)? Don’t miss this opportunity to share your work with our network send the details to office@ersa.org.