Knowledge, Policymaking and Learning for European Cities and Regions

From Research to Practice

New Horizons in Regional Science series

Edited by Nicola Francesco Dotti, Independent Scholar, Brussels, Belgium

This book provides theories, experiences, reflections and future directions for social scientists who wish to engage with policy-oriented research in cities and regions. The ‘policy learning’ perspective is comprehensively discussed, focusing on actors promoting ‘policy knowledge’ and interaction among different stakeholders. The book also aims to provide practical insights for policy-makers and practitioners interested in research-based approaches to cities and regions.

This volume is a great resource for scholars and students of policy-oriented research seeking to understand the research–policy nexus.’
– Elvira Uyarra, Regional Studies

‘I believe this book is very compelling, offers a number of interesting
materials and puts forward forceful messages. It can be very useful for students, scholars and policymakers, and for anyone interested in conducting policy-relevant research along the wide(ning) research-policy continuum.’
– Luís Carvalho, Eurasian Geography and Economics

‘At a time of major transformation in the relationship between research and policy, this is a timely and thought-provoking volume. The creation of knowledge, and its application to the design and implementation of policy, have new analytical possibilities from big and open data – as well as opportunities and obligations for the involvement of citizens in imaginative ways. This book draws and combines theoretical debates and practical experiences of policy learning from different institutional perspectives. It should be required reading for scholars and policymakers interested in fostering more effective research–policy dialogues.’
– John Bachtler, University of Strathclyde, UK

‘This edited book proposes an original and very interesting analysis of the complex interaction between researchers and policymakers. Considering their different rationalities, the authors focus theoretically, methodologically, and empirically on the learning conditions which allow these two types of actors to interact with each other in and on the policy process.’
– Philippe Zittoun, University of Lyon, France

‘A timely and very useful collection providing a fresh look at an old problem: the problematic relationship between policy research and policymaking. A necessary read for scholars interested in generating usable knowledge.’
– Bruno Dente, Politecnico di Milano, Italy