VII SEMINAR FOR NEW ACADEMIC RESEARCHERS – 24^th – 25^th September 2026 – Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism of the University of Alcalá

The Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism of the University of Alcalá, in Madrid, is pleased to host the VII Seminar for New Academic Researchers (SNAR) 2026.

Following the aims and scope of the previous successful editions, the SNAR seeks to gather a group of researchers, academics, and students (PhD candidates or graduates) to share previous, current, and potential future works among all participants rather than presenting a specific research paper, with the main purpose of guiding new researchers in developing their long-term careers.

Thus, we especially invite you to present a line of research (past, present, or future), or a project in which you are involved (or that you are interested in) rather than just a specific article. This year, the seminar will be completed with some training courses for early career researchers.

We encourage contributions on topics related (but not limited) to the diverse fields involved in regional science and input-output analysis: economics, econometrics, urban planning, geography, tourism, inequality, health and welfare, impact evaluation, structural analysis, environmental economics, labour market, etc.

The format of the Seminar will be hybrid: all sessions (i.e., practical courses, panel sessions and lectures) will be available in a virtual platform. Therefore, registration and attendance to the SNAR may be onsite or online, indistinctly.

All the valuable comments and suggestions shared during the meeting will also contribute to building a network of researchers interested in regional economic development and Economic geography.

Please, confirm your willingness to participate in this Seminar by sending your abstract to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,  including your name(s), affiliation(s), type of assistance (online or onsite), main topic and 3-5 keywords.

The Seminar will be held on September 24th-25th, 2026, in Alcalá de Henares, Madrid (Spain), at the Faculty of Economics, Business and Tourism of the University of Alcalá. Come to check it out and spread the word! Looking forward to meeting you all in Madrid.

Deadlines:

Submission of abstracts: June 20th, 2026.

Notification of acceptance: July 5th, 2026

More information at: https://sites.google.com/view/snar2026/home

Articles

Book Reviews

Regional Science Policy & Practice (RSPP)

Call for Papers Special Issue: Understanding Spatial Disparities in the Global South: Evidence and Policy Implications

International Conference on Sustainable Regional Development

International Conference on Sustainable Regional Development

Dear colleagues,

Prior to the official launch of the Conference, we would like to highlight some important details:

1. The Conference will take place in October.
2. In order to simplify procedures, the preliminary abstract submission round has been eliminated. Full papers or extended abstracts will therefore be the documents evaluated by the Scientific Committee.
3. The submission deadline has been brought forward to 12 June. This will allow decisions to be communicated by 30 June at the latest, enabling participants to organise travel and registration before 15 July (prior to the summer holidays).
4. The virtual participation option will be maintained in order to encourage international participation, although in-person attendance will be promoted as the preferred format.
5. Regarding the Early Career Researcher Award “Juan Ramón Cuadrado,” eligibility is open to any non-PhD researcher, regardless of age, as well as to researchers who have defended their PhD within the three years prior to the date of the Conference.
6. As a new feature in this edition, 10 full conference fee waivers are being offered to early career researchers who submit a paper as a candidate for the “Juan Ramón Cuadrado” Award, with the aim of fostering participation and supporting emerging talent in the field of Regional Science.

The Spanish Regional Science Association (AECR), together with the Catalan Regional Science Association (ACCR), cordially invite you to participate in the 50th International Conference on Regional Science, which will take place from 21 to 23 October 2026 at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), in Barcelona.

This edition is particularly significant, marking five decades of uninterrupted scientific exchange, debate, and community building in the field of Regional Science. Barcelona—the city where AECR was founded more than fifty years ago—provides a highly symbolic setting that connects the Association’s origins with present and future challenges.

As in previous editions, the Conference will serve as a multidisciplinary forum bringing together academics, professionals, and experts involved in the design and evaluation of public policies to discuss the latest advances in regional and territorial analysis. The scientific programme will include plenary lectures, panel discussions, special sessions, and parallel paper sessions. It remains the main annual meeting in Spain devoted to the study and discussion of regional and territorial issues, with a strong international outlook.

The theme chosen for this commemorative edition is: “AI-Driven Territories for a Sustainable Future: 50 Years Building Knowledge for Regional Development.”

In line with this theme, the Conference will revolve around two closely interconnected and highly topical areas: sustainability—understood from a broad and multidisciplinary perspective—and artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Discussions will address how digitalisation and AI are reshaping territories, economies, and societies, as well as the role of regions, cities, and rural areas in promoting more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient development models.

We warmly encourage you to participate in this special 50th anniversary edition, which offers a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, strengthen professional networks, and collectively reflect on the achievements and future challenges of Regional Science.

It will be a pleasure to welcome you to Barcelona.

As in previous editions, submissions reporting results from ongoing research projects for which a full paper is not yet available will be accepted. In such cases, the Scientific Committee will require the submission of an extended abstract of at least 1,500 words in order to consider acceptance. Templates and further information about the Conference are available on the Conference website.

Papers that are original and authored by non-PhD researchers, regardless of age, or by researchers who have defended their PhD within the three years prior to the date of the Conference, and that are presented within the parallel sessions in the corresponding special session of the 50th Meeting of Regional Studies, will be eligible for the Juan Ramón Cuadrado Early Career Researcher Award. The Award will be granted by the Scientific Committee. The authors of the winning paper will receive an official certificate.

PhD candidates in the early stages of their doctoral research and research-oriented master’s students will benefit from a reduced registration fee, allowing them to attend the parallel sessions of the Conference and participate in the special sessions for early career researchers. In these sessions, they will have the opportunity to deliver a brief presentation of their research ideas.

The Organising Committee and the Scientific Committee also invite you to propose a Special Session for the Conference. Proposals may be submitted from today until 15 May and will be disseminated as they are received and approved by both Committees. Proposals should include the session title, the name(s) of the coordinator(s), and a brief summary of the content, and must be sent to the Conference Secretariat at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. It is recommended to secure at least four contributions per special session. In the event of a high number of submissions, papers may be distributed across different time slots in accordance with the coordinators’ criteria.

Kind regards. We look forward to welcoming you to Barcelona,

The Organising Committee

Call for Papers for Special Issue in Regional Science Policy & Practice (RSPP)

Title: "Impacts of War in Ukraine: Perspectives and Challenges"

Guest Editor: Dr Kateryna Zabarina - University of Warsaw; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This special issue aims to collect articles on perspectives and challenges coming from ongoing war. Unlike the previous RSPP Special Issue "Ukraine: geopolitical realities and regional development perspectives" dedicated to understanding a way Ukraine went starting in 1991 without focusing on full-scale war, this issue will address the economic, social, environmental, psychological and geopolitical impacts, providing a platform for in-depth analysis and discussion. By featuring diverse perspectives and rigorous analyses, it aims to foster a deeper understanding of the multifacetedness of the war phenomena and provide a foundation for building more resilient and peaceful futures.

Special issue information:

The war in Ukraine has led to various consequences, reshaping all aspects of everyday life. This special issue aims to explore these changes, bringing together diverse disciplinary perspectives to deepen our understanding of the conflict's far-reaching effects. Contributions will address themes such as displacement and resilience, economic disruptions, social transformations, ecological damage, and shifts in international relations, with a particular attention to spatial dimension.

By examining these aspects, this issue seeks not only to provide critical analyses but also to offer valuable guidance for policymakers, academics, and practitioners in crafting strategies for rebuilding, reconciliation, and future conflict prevention.

Keywords: Impact of war, challenges and perspectives, multidisciplinary perspective.

Manuscript submission information:

We kindly invite contributions on topics related (but not limited) to:

• Challenges and perspectives for various industries
• Social and Cultural aspects (i.e. education, migration, culture etc.)
• Effects of war on environment
• Geopolitical implications
• Psychological issues
• Policy evaluation (i.e. challenges and possibilities of joining the EU)

All manuscripts will be submitted via the Regional Science Policy & Practice online submission system (https://www.editorialmanager.com/rspp/). Authors should indicate in the cover letter that the paper is submitted for consideration for publication in this special issue “Impacts of War in Ukraine: Perspectives and Challenges”, otherwise, your submission will be handled as a regular manuscript.

Submissions extended deadline: March 31st, 2026

Related literature:

Maruniak, E., Lisovskyi, S., & Rudenko, L. (2023). The spatial dimension of the war effects in Ukraine: An agenda for country recovery. Europa XXI, 44.

Biagini, E. (1993). Spatial dimensions of conflict. GeoJournal, 31, 119-128.

Hinterleitner, M., & Sager, F. (2022). Policy’s role in democratic conflict management. Policy Sciences, 55(2), 239-254.

Bjorkdahl, A., & Buckley-Zistel, S. (Eds.). (2016). Spatialising peace and conflict: Mapping the production of places, sites and scales of violence. Springer.