ERSA2026 Congress in Sofia, Bulgaria
The 65th ERSA Congress, held from 25–28 August 2026 at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, brought the international regional science community together in Bulgaria under the theme “Global Challenges and Regional Responses in a Transition Era.”
With 627 participants, the Congress reflected the international reach of ERSA, bringing together researchers and professionals from 55 countries.
The programme featured:
· Nearly 600 papers
· 161 scientific sessions
· 8 Young Scientists Sessions
· 2 keynote lectures
· 2 major round tables / special academic events
Four days of scientific exchange brought together established scholars and emerging researchers from across Europe and beyond.
Programme Highlights
Opening Ceremony
The ceremony featured welcoming remarks from Prof. Roberta Capello, ERSA President, and Prof. Eliza Stefanova, Rector of Sofia University, alongside Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov, Rector of the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) and Prof. Kosyo Stoychev, Chair of the Local Organising Committee and President of the Bulgarian Regional Science Association.
The opening also welcomed Atanas Pekanov, Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria, who delivered the first keynote lecture, addressing Bulgaria’s position within European and national policies, cohesion policy, competitiveness, economic transformation and the need for more balanced regional development.
Acad. Nikolay Vitanov, Deputy Minister of Education and Science, highlighted the importance of science and education in addressing profound technological, economic, demographic and environmental changes, emphasising that sustainable regional solutions must reflect the specific characteristics and potential of each territory.
The ceremony also featured a special video message from Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, who highlighted the growing importance of cities and regions as drivers of innovation and competitiveness in Europe and the role of regional research in supporting evidence-based regional policies.
The event also included a welcome address on behalf of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria, Iliana Iotova, emphasising the importance of bringing science, policy and society together to address the challenges facing regions and communities.
It has been recorded and once they are shareable, we will let you know.
Keynote Lecture – Prof. Peter Nijkamp
Prof. Peter Nijkamp, Emeritus Professor at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, recipient of the RSAI Founder’s Medal and former ERSA President, delivered the keynote:
“The Urbanometrics of Wellbeing: Modeling City Love, Spatial Comfort Zones and Prosilient Panarchy.”
His lecture explored new perspectives on cities, spatial comfort and wellbeing, connecting urban analysis with the challenges facing contemporary societies.
It has been recorded and once they are shareable, we will let you know.
JRC Round Table
The JRC TEDAM Round Table – “Reviving Industrial Policy: Data for Mapping Competitiveness and Cohesion” brought together:
Andrea Conte, European Commission JRC, Chair
Gaetano D’Adamo, European Commission – JRC
Prof. Katarzyna Kopczewska, University of Warsaw
Francesco Molica, EURADA / Université libre de Bruxelles
Prof. Andrés Rodríguez-Pose, London School of Economics
The discussion highlighted the role of data and regional evidence in understanding competitiveness, cohesion and the future of industrial policy.
It has been recorded and once they are shareable, we will let you know.
“Big Five” Round Table
One of the highlights of the final day was the special academic session: “A European Perspective on a Turbulent World”
The event brought together Mario Draghi, Paul Krugman, Roberta Capello, Eduardo Haddad and Martin Andersson, moderated by Karima Kourtit, to discuss Europe’s response to economic and geopolitical turbulence, competitiveness, regional development, cohesion and inclusiveness.
It has been recorded and once they are shareable, we will let you know.
ERSA Journal
At #ERSA2026, we continued building momentum around the ERSA journal: Global Challenges and Regional Science (GCRS)
The Congress featured “Meet the New ERSA Journal: Global Challenges and Regional Science”, presenting the journal’s vision and its role in advancing research on global challenges and regional responses.
The journal is growing its international profile, with research contributions from Europe, the Americas and Asia and an increasing presence in the scientific community.
For researchers interested in publishing work addressing global challenges from a regional science perspective, this is an exciting moment to become part of the GCRS community.
30 Years of Advances in Spatial Science by Springer
Another important publishing milestone was celebrated at #ERSA2026: 30th Anniversary of the Advances in Spatial Science Series.
Chaired by Hans Westlund and Jouke van Dijk, the event celebrated three decades of one of the leading book series in Regional Science.
Since its launch, Advances in Spatial Science has published 113 volumes, providing a platform for research on spatial phenomena, regional and urban development, innovation, sustainability and policy analysis.
The anniversary brought together authors, editors, readers and conference participants to celebrate the contribution of the series to the development of the discipline and to look ahead to the future of spatial research and publishing.
Special Moments
Beyond the scientific programme, #ERSA2026 was also about bringing the community together.
? Welcome Reception at Sofia University Inner Park
Participants came together at the beginning of the Congress for an informal evening of conversations and networking.
? Get-Together Party at the Sofia University Botanic Garden
An evening combining networking, local food, Bulgarian hospitality and the unique setting of the University Botanic Garden.
? Gala Dinner
The Congress concluded with a memorable Gala Dinner, featuring music, traditional Bulgarian performances, local culture and Bulgarian hospitality. A wonderful opportunity to celebrate the community and the connections created throughout the week.
Awards Ceremony – ERSA 2026
The Closing Ceremony celebrated outstanding contributions across the Regional Science community.
? ERSA Prize 2026:
Prof. André Torre, former ERSA President and Distinguished Researcher at INRAE, Paris-Saclay & AgroParisTech.
André Torre delivered the closing keynote:
“Proximity analysis and proximity relations: where are we today?”
It has been recorded and once they are shareable, we will let you know.
?ERSA Epainos Prize 2026:
Sun-Young Park, Seoul National University, for her research “The Effects of Drought on the Marriage Market: Forces of Delay and Forces of Acceleration.”
? RSAI Fellow Awards:
Prof. Simona Iammarino, Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), and Prof. Julie Le Gallo, CESAER Agrosup Dijon.
? Hirotada Kohno Award:
Andrea Caragliu, Politecnico di Milano, for outstanding service to the RSAI.
?RSAI Peter Nijkamp Research Encouragement Award:
İbrahim Tuğrul Çınar, Anadolu University Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences.
? RSAI Dissertation Award:
Zhiwu Wei, University of Cambridge, recognising excellence and innovation in doctoral research in Regional Science.
? Martin Beckmann Prize for the Best Paper in PiRS:
Sofia Wixe, Charlotta Mellander & José Lobo for their paper “Adolescence socioeconomic segregation and high-skilled jobs in adulthood”, published in Papers in Regional Science, Volume 104, Issue 4, August 2025.
? Read the paper
Gratitude
We sincerely thank the Local Organising Committee, chaired by Prof. Kosyo Stoychev, and Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” for hosting the 65th ERSA Congress and for the tremendous work behind this edition.
From welcoming more than 600 participants from around the world, to support 161 scientific sessions, keynote lectures, round tables, Young Scientists Sessions, social events and cultural activities, the LOC created an outstanding environment for scientific exchange and international networking.
We are especially grateful to all session chairs, speakers, authors, young scientists, volunteers, partners, sponsors and participants who contributed to making #ERSA2026 such a memorable edition.
The ERSA Flag Passes to Milan ➡️
The ERSA flag has now passed from Sofia to Milan.
The 66th ERSA Congress will take place in Milan in 2027, under the leadership of the Local Organising Committee chair Camilla Lenzi.
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