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*2nd call for papers - special session - R*egional Studies Association Annual Conference 2017 DEADLINE TODAY Dublin, Ireland, 4th June, 2017 - 7th June, 2017 'Challenges of Topological Thinking & Inquiry' Session organiser(s): Arnoud Lagendijk, Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> John Harrison, Loughborough University, UK: [log in to unmask] Relational perspectives have greatly advanced our thinking on urban and regional development. Cities and regions are now more considered as relationally constituted and positioned. Their boundaries are conceived as heterogeneous constructs and outcomes of political and identity work rather than geometrical givens. Relational thinking has also inspired new intriguing views on policy mobility and territorial responsibilities. This session focuses on two major challenges. First, the way theoretical work in the field stands to benefit from recent work on spatialities (Mol, Law …) and topology (Massey, Allen ….), amongst others. Second, the challenge to develop research practices, such as comparative studies, that probe and unravel urban and regional relationality meeting the conceptual depth and versatility of relational perspectives. This session invites papers making theoretical, methodological and empirical contributions to the debate. Potential themes of interest might include, but are not limited to: - urban/regional development seen from the perspectives of power geometries and power topologies - current and alternative forms of policy mobility in shaping new urban/regional forms and practices - new forms of relational inquiry, for instance inspired by (post)ANT and assemblage - engagement with novel forms of boundary and identity making (e.g. Brexit) from a relational perspective - impacts of relational thinking on urban/regional theory, practice or development - comparative perspectives of relationality in different geographic settings or policy spheres - potential new approaches that challenge/develop relational thinking Submission guidelines Please contact the session organisers if you have further questions on the session and potential contributions. Please submit proposals for papers in the form of a 250 word abstract (text only) through the Regional Studies Association conference portal by Friday 24th February 2017 http://www.regionalstudies.org /conferences/conference/rsa-dublin-2017. Proposals will be considered by the Conference Programme Committee against the criteria of originality, interest and subject balance. -- ______________________________________________ Radboud University PO Box 9108, NL-6500 HK Nijmegen T+3124-36-16204/11925 @arnoudlagendijk <https://twitter.com/arnoudlagendijk/> email <[log in to unmask]> diary <https:[log in to unmask]&gsessionid=OK&mode=week> alumni <http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2129561> *Struggles over apparently inconsequential issues can be crucial because they are struggles about who makes the rules (Migdal 2001: 50).*