Our popular Online Early Career Colloquium is returning on the 21st and 22nd of January 2026. This is a great opportunity for PhD researchers and early career researchers (within 3 years of their PhD) to present and discuss their work with experienced academics in their field. We welcome PhD researchers *at any stage* of their PhD. First-year PhD students are encouraged to apply and may present research plans or works in progress. 

Attendance at the colloquium is free. There are also prizes for the best paper and the best presentation. Prize winners will receive a certificate and will be invited to attend our annual RSAI-BIS conference in Belfast in May 2026, for free. The prize covers conference fee, accommodation, and economy-class travel costs.

Successful presentations and papers will clearly demonstrate the location of the research within the regional science literature and clearly explain the theoretical and/or conceptual frameworks in regional science to which their work contributes.

We also encourage more established RSAI-BIS members to attend the sessions and contribute with comments and suggestions. From past experience, we have found this to be a very helpful and fulfilling experience for both presenters and attendees.

To apply, please email a short abstract (500 words max) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 17:00 (UTC Time) Friday the 12th of December, 2025. The email should contain the subject heading “RSAIBIS Online Early Career Colloquium Submission – [Author’s Name]”. 

If you have any questions in relation to the event please contact Dr Daragh O’Leary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Presenters who wish to be considered for the best paper prize will be expected to submit a full paper to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 17:00 (UTC Time) on the 14th of January 2026. 

TO APPLY:

• Submit a short abstract of no more than 500 words outlined as follows:
  • Title
  • Author and affiliation (Year of PhD if already completed).
  • Introduction (Research question being addressed, Location of the research within the key literature and motivation for the question)
  • Method (Data – if applicable - and method of answering the research question)
  • Findings (If applicable)
  • Discussions/Conclusions (Including policy implications if applicable).
  • Keywords (max 3)
• Please note, the jury for best presentation and best paper will pay particular attention to the paper's contribution and location within regional science conceptual frameworks and models.
• Please note that there are limited spaces at the colloquium and not all submitted abstracts may be accepted. We are unfortunately not able to provide feedback on unsuccessful submissions.
• Presenters must give live presentations (not pre-recorded videos) and ideally attend the whole event.

We hope to see you all there!