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).

The academic societies (led by the RSA) will host around 10 sessions showcasing the best of new research to the largely policy-based audience at the week. We are now inviting proposals for these sessions.

Participation in #EURegionsWeek is an excellent opportunity to:

• showcase current academic research to policymakers and practitioners
• interact with actors in cohesion policy – politicians, policymakers and practitioners
• reflect on key and emerging themes for future research
• promote knowledge exchange between policy makers and researchers and grow networks and alliances
• demonstrate the value/impact of research

Submissions of proposals should relate to the following overarching themes:

1. Green Europe
2. Cohesion and Cooperation
3. Empowering Citizens

Session Format

• Sessions will be 90 minutes
• Sessions should be submitted with indicative chair/moderator and with up to three speakers from within European countries (there is the possibility to invite speakers from outside the EU but special permission will be required from the funders to cover these costs). The Commission will normally fund the travel and accommodation for the chair/moderator and up to three speakers, if you wish to propose more than three speakers you will need to fund the expenses for the extra speakers
• The submission should make clear how the organisers will make the session interactive for example, engaging with the audience either through use of technologies such as slido, offering audience polls, word clouds etc or through an innovative session format with non-standard speakers etc. Organisers should assume that the audience will be primarily non-academic

Applicants commit themselves to:

• minimise the environmental impact of your session as well as to respect the paperless and plastic-free guidance received from the organiser.
• ensure that panels are made up of both female and male speakers. Male-only panels will not be accepted.

Submission of a proposed session does not guarantee its acceptance and you should not book any travel or accommodation in advance of hearing from the Association if your proposal is being taken forward.

Application Submission Deadline: 5pm CET, 11th March 2020

Official source: https://rsaeurope.org/event/euregionsweek-university-sessions-18th-european-week-of-regions-and-cities-brussels-belgium/