December 7, 2012

Regional Development addressed when Local Councillors and International Universities Converge at UOW

Global academics lead talks on regional science, regional development and regional policy to strengthen connections.

Over 80 attendees, made up of local councillors from across Australia and international university delegates, will converge at the 36th Australian and New Zealand Regional Science Association International (ANZRSAI) Conference from 4-7 December 2012 at the University of Wollongong.

The Faculty of Commerce at the University of Wollongong will host this year’s conference, themed Connecting Regions: Research, Practice and Policy. “The theme was chosen in recognition of the University of Wollongong whose vision is to enrich people, communities and the environment by making original and creative connections across disciplinary, social and cultural boundaries,” said Dr Greg Kerr, Conference Convenor.

“The conference will include talks on regional science, regional development and regional policy, but the focus of our keynote addresses by our international speakers will explore how regions can strengthen connections within their area and how they can strengthen connections with the rest of the country and internationally,” said Dr Greg Kerr.

International keynote speaker Professor Mario Polèse, a Senior Canadian Research Chair in Urban and Regional Studies at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS) in Montréal and published author will present findings from his book titled The Wealth and Poverty of Regions: Why Cities Matter. In addition, keynote speaker Professor Graham Clarke, a Professor in the School of Geography at the University of Leeds will present his keynote address titled, The Potential of Microsimulation in Regional Science.

The conference is jam-packed with over 60 presentations scheduled from academics and practitioners from Australia and overseas, including CEO of SMART Infrastructure, Garry Bowditch and UOW’s Professor Pascal Perez. Visitors to the conference will also obtain a local perspective from some of Wollongong businesspeople, Dr David Morgan Williams who will talk about Regional Leadership; Chief Executive of IRT, Nieves Murray who will present Positioning a Regional Community Organisation to respond to a National Agenda; and Sharyn MacKenzie, presenting Making a Difference to Regional Resettlement.

Local government is well represented with presentations being delivered by the University of Wollongong’s Local Government Consortium. This is an initiative headed by UOW’s Associate Professor Andrew Sense, in partnership with number of NSW Councils, to provide opportunities for council employees to undertake a Masters by Research degree or a PhD.

ANZRSAI is a member of the Regional Science Association International and today consists of 3,000 academics and other professionals in business and government from around the world.