RSA Europe: Directors

Sandrine Labory is an Associate Professor in the Department of Economics and Management at the University of Ferrara whose books include Industrial Policy after the Crisis, Towards a New Industrial Policy and Industrial Policy for the Manufacturing Revolution: Perspectives on Digital Globalisation. Her research focuses on Industrial economics and policy: firm clusters in mature and high-tech sectors, innovation policy at regional and national level, industrial policy in the EU, industrial policy as long-term vision of industrial development, firm organisation and market performance. She has been involved in various research projects as coordinator or member, at regional (the Emilia-Romagna and the Tuscan Regions) and international (OECD and for the European Commission) levels.

Professor John Bachtler is Professor of European Policy Studies and a Director of the European Policies Research Centre. His research experience is principally in regional and industrial development in Europe, encompassing the economic development policies of the EU Member States and several other European countries, the structural and cohesion policies of the European Union, EU integration and enlargement.

Professor Mário Vale has a Degree in Geography, a Master’s degree in Human Geography and Local and Regional Planning and a PhD Degree in Human Geography from the University of Lisbon. He holds a position as Full Professor at the Institute of Geography and Spatial Planning, University of Lisbon.

Professor David Bailey is an influential business expert on economic restructuring and industrial policy and is perhaps best known for his knowledge of UK and West Midlands car manufacturing. Most recently, David has undertaken European funded research on using foreign investment to upgrade clusters and on industrial and regional policy.

Alan is the Chief Executive of the Regional Studies Association and General Manager of the RSA Europe foundation. He joined both organisations in February 2024, arriving with extensive experience of organisational and professional leadership. Alan’s background is as a geographer and geography educator. He led the Geographical Association (GA) for over 11 years and played an active role in national and international education policy for over 20 years, exerting a considerable influence on the curriculum and professional practice we see in geography education today. Alan’s key responsibilities include strategic and organisational leadership, securing the sustainable development of both the RSA and the RSA Europe foundation and acting as the principal ambassador for each organisation.