The European Commission and the Regional Studies Association invited Dr Phil Tomlinson to speak at the European Union’s European Week of Regions and Cities (EWRC) last week.

Each year, EWRC brings together national, regional and local policy-makers, business leaders, trade unionists and academics from across Europe. Participants explore opportunities for job creation and the delivery of sustainable and inclusive growth.

Phil chaired a special session on ‘Revitalising Regional Economies through Smart Specialisation and Industry 4.0’. Also included on the panel were representatives from the European Commission’s Joint Research Council, DG Regio and the Slovenian Office for Cohesion policy.

The discussion focused on how better use of EU policy could make sure lagging regions can fully participate and benefit from smart specialisation and the new technologies associated with Industry 4.0.

EWRC Masterclass

PhD student Chris Dimos also attended the event after winning a fully funded place on the EWRC’s 6th Masterclass on EU Cohesion policy. The Masterclass connected PhD students and early-career researchers with policy-makers, EU officials and senior academics.

Chris also presented a new working paper (co-authored with Dr Felicia Fai and Phil) explaining the University’s IAAPS project and its goals of developing a new ‘dynamic cluster’ in the South West.