UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 02 NOVEMBER 2018
Professor Alex de Ruyter, Director of the Centre for Brexit Studies, has been invited to join the Board of the Regional Studies Association to contribute his knowledge and understanding of Brexit.
The Centre for Brexit Studies has been commissioned by the RSA to undertake a survey of their members’ attitudes to Brexit and the likely impacts for national and regional economies. The survey also explores members’ views on possible impacts of Brexit on both the higher education sector and those working in related regional development policy and practice fields.
The survey will also shed light on the extent that members believe the UK will still be regarded as a desirable place to work and study.
Commenting on the work to be undertaken, Professor De Ruyter stated that “it’s a great honour to be approached by the Regional Studies Association to undertake this work, and we hope it will help inform the debate on Brexit and UK Higher Education”.
Sally Hardy, Chief Executive of the RSA, said that “Brexit raises a number of questions for the future of regions both in the UK and Europe. It also presents challenges for those working in higher education and research. The Board is keen to benefit from Professor De Ruyter’s expertise in exploring our members’ views ”.
Professor De Ruyter will present the initial findings of the survey at the RSA Winter Conference in London on 15 and 16 November.
Notes to Editors:
Regional Studies Association – The Regional Studies Association is the learned society for researchers, policy makers and practitioners working on regional research, development and policy. It was established in 1964 and has become a key global network with members in 72 countries. In 2017, the Association set up a Private Foundation in Belgium (RSA Europe). The Association is recognised for its work on knowledge exchange regularly cooperating with the European Institutions.
Centre for Brexit Studies – the Centre for Brexit Studies was founded at Birmingham City University in February 2017 to undertake research and public engagement on the implications of the 2016 referendum result. Focussing on the likely regional impacts of Brexit, current work includes a sectoral analysis of the automotive sector, the status of Gibraltar post-Brexit and the implications of loss of EU funding to UK regions and consequent need for new measures of regional deprivation.