College Sessions

Like last year, the 19th European Week of Regions and Cities 2021 will include College Sessions: a unique programme dedicated to early-career researchers and PhD students.

The College sessions are organised by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO)and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) advised by the Regional Studies Association European Foundation (RSA Europe) and with the cooperation of the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) and the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP).

The College Sessions programme includes:

• Cohesion Policy and Academic Debate

This webinar brings together EU officials and academic researchers to discuss the contribution of EU Cohesion Policy to the post-pandemic recovery. It will present the key actions and challenges involved in overcoming current issues and provide an opportunity for discussion and debate between the participants and presenters.

• A Conversation with…. – Discussion on European Cohesion Policy with PhD Students and Early Career Researchers

A debate by senior EU officials talking about the European Recovery Plan and Cohesion Policy with Marc Lemaître, Director-General, Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy, European Commission, Belgium, EU Officials and John Bachtler (moderator), Head European Policies Research Centre, University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom.

• Research for Policy Impact: The European Parliament

A session organised in partnership with the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS). In this webinar, attendees will learn about the different forms of communication, speed of delivery and other lessons and hints on how to communicate research to policy makers in the most effective way. An outline of where academic research is already commissioned and sought will be included.

Important: These 3 above sessions are open to early career researchers and PhD students and do not require pre-application. The registration link will be provided in due course.

• Forward Challenges for Cohesion Policy 2021 – 2027: A view from Commissioner Elisa Ferreira

Pre-application required!

In this closed session, a small number of shortlisted participants (PhD students & early career researchers) will have the opportunity to learn about future challenges of the cohesion policy and have the opportunity to engage and network with the Commissioner.

This session will address the challenges of the Cohesion Policy 2021 – 2027 including discussions on the key questions in achieving digital and green transitions, how to optimise results from the changing institutional landscape within the EU Institutions and other topics to be mutually agreed. The session seeks to identify gaps in knowledge and seeks to better articulated knowledge mobilisation in the future and opportunities.

Call for Participants

30 early career researchers/PhD students will have the chance to meet privately with Cohesion and Reforms Commissioner Elisa Ferreira as part of the #EURegionsWeek.

Applications are invited from early career researchers (within five years of PhD or equivalent) and current PhD students to attend a closed session with Commissioner Elisa Ferreira to discuss Future Challenges for Cohesion policy 2021-2027.

To apply for this Session, please submit:

• your full CV;
• research interests in the form of an abstract with keywords, and details of any teaching assignments (if applicable) by 23rd July 2021 to office@rsaeurope.org .

more about the College Sessions

19th European Week of Regions and Cities
11-14 October 2021, Online

The European Week of Regions and Cities (#EURegionsWeek) is the biggest annual Brussels-based event dedicated to regional policy. This event serves as a platform for discussing and showcasing the development of EU cohesion policy and making decision-makers more aware of the importance of regions and cities in EU policymaking. More info: https://europa.eu/regions-and-cities/home_en The University Sessions are organised by the European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO)and the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) advised by the Regional Studies Association European Foundation (RSA Europe) and with the cooperation of the European Regional Science Association (ERSA) and the Association of European Schools of Planning (AESOP).

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the event will take place virtually.

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