Regional potential a key focus for 2014
The RAI’s Strategic Research Priorities for 2014 have now been announced, and include three major project concepts, as well as updates to [In]Sight: Australia’s regional competitiveness index, and [In]Form: Australia’s online library of regional research.
Major project concepts for 2014:
Framework of Regional Potential (draft concept)
Understanding the potential of Australia’s regions: Each region has its own unique potential, based on a combination of internal and external assets and forces that shape regional economies. This project will explore the potential of a range of regions across Australia using a framework of ‘Regional Potential’. It will combine evidence about regional economies, their global operating environment and local knowledge to assess a range of potential futures for each region. The aim of the work is to develop an evidence based narrative about regional futures and a strategic framework through which they can better mobilise their resources.
Regions leading their own development: Australian case study library: The RAI will develop a case study library to bring together practical examples of Australian regions leading their own development. The RAI will add to this body of work through its major projects and compile existing published and unpublished examples of how positive change is being created in regions, by regional people. This work will form a public resource for other regions and policy makers to understand innovations that are emerging in regions, and how different challenges and opportunities are being navigated.
Third major project (TBD): The RAI is also exploring options for a third major project for 2014, which will be determined in consultation with stakeholders. Focus areas include fostering entrepreneurialism, developing human capital, optimising governance outcomes and infrastructure investment.
Updates to products for 2014:
[In]Sight: Australia’s regional competitiveness index: In 2014, the data underpinning [In]Sight indicators will be updated (where available), the functionality of the online index improved, and approaches to measuring regional competitiveness further developed and expanded. The RAI will also continue to publish new research papers exploring the implications of the [In]Sight data for future regional development and policy.
[In]Form: Australia’s online library of regional research: [In]Form will be updated in 2014 to include all relevant research and policy published from October 2012. If you know of a piece of research or literature that focuses on long-term regional prosperity that you would like to share with the RAI network, head over to the [In]Form homepage and click ‘contribute’ to submit it.
Further information on the RAI’s research and policy focuses this year is outlined in the Strategic Research Priorities 2014, available here. If you have suggestions for how the RAI can best deliver these projects, or have input that may help guide their development, then please leave your comments below or head to the ‘Have Your Say’ section of the website.
