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Sarah Ayres

@sarahayres.bsky.social

64 followers 55 following 7 posts

Professor of Public Policy & Governance, Bristol University. Political scientist and Chair of the Regional Studies Association.

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Sarah Ayres is a British academic and Professor of Public Policy and Governance at the School for Policy Studies, University of Bristol, and current Chair of the Regional Studies Association (RSA). Her research focuses on territorial and collaborative governance, and the role of state, market, and civil society actors in addressing complex social challenges. .. more

Political science 58%

Economics 10%

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Sarah Ayres @sarahayres.bsky.social · Sep 1

In our @rsablog.bsky.social blog we explore how mayors can enact change in complex policy spaces when they don't have control over the policy levers. www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...

Evidence is drawn from our article in @regionalstudies.bsky.social.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

How democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times

This article explores how democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times. Drawing on 132 interviews with decision-makers in England, it uses the case of heal...

www.tandfonline.com

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Reposted by Sarah Ayres

RSA Blog @rsablog.bsky.social · Aug 20

New RSA blog 📰
by @jacknewman.bsky.social & @sarahayres.bsky.social speaks on why combining mayoral devolution + mission-led policy could transform the UK.
Link: www.regionalstudies.org/rsa-blog/202...
What’s your take — could empowered mayors guided by national missions be the UK’s game-changer?

How Mayors and Missions Can Make the UK a Better Place to Live - RSA Main

The UK government can meet some of its biggest challenges by combining mayoral devolution with its mission-led approach. Empowering local leaders to deliver on national missions will mean giving them ...

www.regionalstudies.org

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Reposted by Christopher Millett, Paul Cairney, Sarah Ayres

IPR @uniofbathipr.bsky.social · Jul 31

A new paper by @geoffbates.bsky.social, Pablo Newberry, Rachael McClatchey, @jacknewman.bsky.social and @sarahayres.bsky.social explores how health is integrated in urban development, and how to bring about change to support healthier development.

Read it here: doi.org/10.1186/s129...

How can health be further integrated in urban development policymaking in the United Kingdom? A systems mapping approach - Health Research Policy and Systems

Background In the United Kingdom the government’s new health mission aims to reduce the burden on healthcare services by shifting from treating poor health to prevention. Delivering this requires acti...

doi.org

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Sarah Ayres @sarahayres.bsky.social · May 23

Great to be part of this ESRC funded team, led by @charlottehoole.bsky.social. Improvements to funding allocations to reduce inequalities are possible but the UK government will need to be bold and brave for transformative change.

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Reposted by Sarah Ayres

City-REDI @city-redi.bsky.social · May 21

📢 NEW REPORT📢

How can public funding be better designed to reduce geographical inequalities in England?

A new report proposes 10 guiding principles & practical reforms, grounded in deep research & citizen voices.

🔗 Read more: ow.ly/fL7u50VWjEL

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Sarah Ayres @sarahayres.bsky.social · May 10

On behalf of the Board and our members, I'd like to congratulate @rsachiefexec.bsky.social and the @regstud.bsky.social staff team for a successful annual conference. Feedback has been nothing but positive. This is testament to all your hard work. Big thank from our community. 👏

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Sarah Ayres @sarahayres.bsky.social · Apr 9

On the 60th birthday 🎈 of the Regional Studies Association, I cannot let the day pass without acknowledging the contribution of our ex-Chief Executive, @sallyhardy.bsky.social , who devoted 37 years service to the Association. We recognise your legacy today Sally x 👏

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Reposted by Zack Taylor

Sarah Ayres @sarahayres.bsky.social · Apr 9

Today is the @regstud.bsky.social 60th 🎈birthday. It's a privilege to be Chair of the Association in its 60th year. The Association’s success is testament to the hard work of its staff team, members and dedicated volunteers. I salute you all 💙 👏.
www.regionalstudies.org/news/today-t...

Today is the RSA’s 60 birthday! - RSA Main

Today marks the 60th anniversary of the Regional Studies Association (RSA). On April 9th, 1965, the RSA was founded at a meeting held at the London School of Economics in the UK. Over the past six dec...

www.regionalstudies.org

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Reposted by Lars Coenen, Jennifer Clark, Sarah Ayres , and 1 more Lars Coenen, Jennifer Clark, Sarah Ayres, Jen Nelles

Regional Studies Journal @regionalstudies.bsky.social · Apr 4

Call for papers for our special issue: 'From knowledge-intensive to transformative knowledge regions'. For more, contact, special issue editors: @annabutzin.bsky.social; @carvalho-luis.bsky.social; Hugues Jeannerat. & Jesper Manniche think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issu... Abstracts: 15th May

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Sarah Ayres @sarahayres.bsky.social · Mar 28

Our new article in @regionalstudies.bsky.social shows that elected mayors in England have a critical role to play in mission-orientated policy making.

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Reposted by Sarah Ayres

Jack Newman @jacknewman.bsky.social · Mar 28

🚨🆕 New paper published online today 🆕🚨

'How Democratically Elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times'

Published OPEN ACCESS in @regionalstudies.bsky.social: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

@sarahayres.bsky.social @marksandford.bsky.social @geoffbates.bsky.social

This article explores how democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times. Drawing
on 132 interviews with decision-makers in England, it uses the case of healthy urban development to explore the role of
elected mayors in mission delivery. Findings show that mayors can be figureheads for a place, work directly towards
national missions, implement cross-cutting programmes, convene partnerships, and lead local innovations with new
evidence and data. However, more central government support is needed with investment in capacity, a broader range
of powers, and greater freedom from central targets and siloes.

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Reposted by Sarah Ayres

Mark Sandford @marksandford.bsky.social · Mar 28

Pleased to see this one over the line, working with @sarahayres.bsky.social @jacknewman.bsky.social @geoffbates.bsky.social and Andrew Barnfield www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... Tl:dr; mayors can convene partnerships and lead on preventative policy but need capacity and discretion

How democratically elected mayors can achieve mission-oriented policies in turbulent times

www.tandfonline.com

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Reposted by Sarah Ayres

Policy & Politics @policy-politics.bsky.social · Mar 24

We’re delighted to announce the winners of our Ken Young Best Article prize are Claire Dupont, Jeffrey Rosamond & @bishoyzaki.bsky.social for their paper
Investigating the scientific knowledge–policy interface in EU #ClimatePolicy doi.org/10.1332/0305...

Investigating the scientific knowledge–policy interface in EU climate policy

We provide an historical overview of the evolution of knowledge exchange architecture for climate policy in the EU. We investigate whether evolutions in the knowledge architecture reflect shifts in th...

doi.org

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Reposted by Sarah Ayres

Academy of Social Sciences @acadsocsciences.bsky.social · Mar 24

Can the UK can achieve growth that is fair, inclusive & environmentally sustainable? Our new hub showcases research & insights from the social sciences to offer informed perspectives on how the UK might best address its challenges around growth & productivity. Explore ➡️ acss.org.uk/campaign-for...

Reposted by Sarah Ayres

Regional Studies Journal @regionalstudies.bsky.social · Mar 18

New in #OpenAccess: Highways and local development: insights from two decades of investments by Adelheid Holl www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

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Reposted by Sarah Ayres

Academy of Social Sciences @acadsocsciences.bsky.social · Mar 17

In a new blog post✍️ for our good growth hub Prof John Bryson (unibirmingham.bsky.social) argues that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to economic growth & that growth-related policy must be tailored to individual regions and localities.
Read now ➡️ acss.org.uk/enabling-goo...

Reposted by Sarah Ayres

Paul Cairney @paulcairney.bsky.social · Mar 12

A new story of Kingdon and the Multiple Streams Framework
paulcairney.wordpress.com/2025/01/06/a...

Part of a new IRPP symposium on Kingdon journals.openedition.org/irpp/4443

A new story of Kingdon and the Multiple Streams Framework

The following short story of the Multiple Streams Framework is one part of a forthcoming article – ‘Kingdon’s multiple streams framework: what happens next?’ – in an IRPP Symposium ‘A 4…

paulcairney.wordpress.com

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Sarah Ayres @sarahayres.bsky.social · Mar 6

We have had so much interest in our annual @regstud.bsky.social conference in Porto. It's going to be a great event in a beautiful city.

RSA Blog @rsablog.bsky.social · Feb 5

Why attend #RSA25? 🌍 Thought-provoking sessions, expert panels & the latest in regional studies! Be part of the conversation that drives change. Will we see you in Porto? 📢 Register now: lounge.regionalstudies.org/Meetings/Mee...
@rsa-adp.bsky.social @financeandspace.bsky.social

Event Information - Regional Studies Association

lounge.regionalstudies.org

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Reposted by Sarah Ayres

Policy & Politics @policy-politics.bsky.social · Feb 22

⛅Early View

Comparing policy responses to incels in Sweden and the UK by Elsa Bengtsson Meuller and Elizabeth Evans.

Their article seeks to understand what states are specifically doing to address incel violence through a comparative critical frame analysis.
doi.org/10.1332/03055736Y2024D000000045

Comparing policy responses to incels in Sweden and the UK

There is increasing awareness of the gendered violence undertaken by incels (involuntary celibates), both online and offline. Much of the analysis of the phenomenon has focused on what incels mean for...

doi.org

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Reposted by Sarah Ayres

Centre for Governance, Regulation & Industrial Strategy (CGR&IS) @cgrisbath.bsky.social · Feb 21

Please join us @uniofbath.bsky.social next Thursday 27/2/25 at 12:15pm as we welcome @stefaniafiorentino.bsky.social of
@uniofcam.bsky.social for a #hybridseminar on #englishcoastaltowns #left-behindplaces

Zoom Registration: shorturl.at/7E0bq

Details below 👇 @regionalstudies.bsky.social

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Reposted by Sarah Ayres

Grete Gansauer @gretegans.bsky.social · Feb 19

⚡CFP⚡
EdgeNet, @regstud.bsky.social's research network on peripheral regions & why they matter, is hosting our 2nd summer paper workshop & field trip - this time in lovely Umeå, Sweden 25-27 June. Abstract deadline 28 Feb.
More info 👇
edgenet-rsa.weebly.com/umearing-sum...

Umeå Summer Workshop, 2025

The political rediscovery of so-called ‘left-behind places’ has raised research interest in peripheral places and regions. Yet headline narratives about peripheries continue to collapse the...

edgenet-rsa.weebly.com

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Reposted by Sarah Ayres

RSA Blog @rsablog.bsky.social · Feb 5

Event Information - Regional Studies Association

lounge.regionalstudies.org

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