Pre-conference YSI-RSA Workshop – Sustainable pathways in CEE and SEE regional transition

The upcoming Regional Studies Association Central and Eastern European (RSA CEE) Conference is scheduled to take place in Dubrovnik from September 11 to 13, 2024. This event will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students working in all areas related to regional studies to discuss the changing internal and external dynamics of CEE.

The pre-conference workshop aims to discuss the sustainability pathways in regional transition in CEE and SEE areas, building on the region’s major challenges to move towards a more sustainable future. 

Participants are invited to present their research projects, shedding light on innovative approaches, challenges encountered, and potential actions aligned with the sustainability transitions of the region and how their researches are expected to impact on the local/regional/national/European policies. 

Research works dealing with (and not limited to) the following themes are welcome: 

• Circular economy
• Sharing economy and cooperation
• Social economy for sustainability
• Climate change and green infrastructure
• Demographic shifts and changing social structures
• Sustainability of rural areas
• Sustainable tourism
• Energy poverty
• De-colonial and post-colonial approaches to CEE

The workshop aims to gather a highly motivated group of PhD Students and Early Career to present their research, exchange experiences and receive feedback from their peers and well-known senior scholars by gathering a collective effort toward building a more sustainable, equitable, and socially just future.

Two experts in sustainability transitions and policies will interact with the participants in co-creating sustainable pathways for the future of the region, starting from their research. The session will be focused on bridging practise-research-policies and support young scholars to approach the use of their researches to enable sustainable-oriented policies. 

Furthermore, if you wish to be considered for YSI funding, please include a brief statement (~250 words) detailing your funding motivation. If you have the option of receiving support from your university, kindly consider this as your primary funding source, thus allowing colleagues without this opportunity to benefit from YSI funding.

YSI offers partial funding for travel expenses based on individual needs, as well as accommodation for two nights (11th – 12th of September 2024) in a shared twin or triple room at a hotel near the workshop venue. Participation in the workshop itself is free of charge.

Please indicate whether you will be presenting at the main Conference or not. You are encouraged to do it!  Remember, that the conference requires a separate submission and registration process. YSI does not cover conference fees.

More information on Regional Studies Association Central and Eastern European (RSA CEE): https://www.regionalstudies.org/events/2024cee/

  Important dates:

• April 15: Registration Open
• May 14: Abstract submission and funding application deadline 
• June 15:  Notification on acceptance and funding via email
• September 11th: YSI- RSA Workshop and opening of the RSA CEE Conference in Dubrovnik