ARL Congress 2026
We invite scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to submit abstracts for the ARL Congress 2026, taking place on 1–2 October 2026 in Cologne (Maternushaus).
Under the theme “European Regional Policy in Times of Transition”, the Congress addresses the profound spatial, social, economic, environmental, and geopolitical transformations currently reshaping European regions. Against the backdrop of overlapping crises, widening regional disparities, and ongoing debates on the post-2027 future of EU Cohesion Policy, the Congress offers a platform for critical reflection and forward-looking discussion.
We welcome interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary contributions engaging with regional and cohesion policy at different spatial scales. Contributions may address, among others:
- the future of EU Cohesion and Regional Policy, including place-based approaches and the European Green Deal
- regional disparities, “left-behind” regions, resilience, democracy, and governance under conditions of transition
- long-term perspectives on regional development, sustainability transitions, digitalisation, urban–rural relations, and territorial justice
The programme will feature keynote contributions by Professor Andrés Rodríguez-Pose (London School of Economics) and Rachel Lancry Beaumont (European Committee of the Regions, Head of Department for the COTER Commission), alongside invited panels and selected paper sessions.
Submission deadline: 1 March 2026
Abstract length: max. 2,500 characters (excluding spaces)
Conference language: English (selected sessions may allow German)
👉 Submit your abstract and join the debate on the future of European regional policy.
Call for Abstracts (PDF)
