Regional Studies

Aims & Scope

Regional Studies is a leading international journal covering the development of theories and concepts, empirical analysis and policy debate in the field of regional studies.

The journal publishes original research spanning the economic, social, political and environmental dimensions of urban and regional (subnational) change.

The distinctive purpose of Regional Studies is to connect insights across intellectual disciplines in a systematic and grounded way to understand how and why regions and cities evolve.

It publishes research that distils how economic and political processes and outcomes are contingent upon regional and local circumstances.

The journal is a pluralist forum, which showcases diverse perspectives and analytical techniques.

Essential criteria for papers to be accepted for Regional Studies are that they make a substantive contribution to scholarly debates, are sub-national in focus, conceptually well-informed, empirically grounded and methodologically sound.

Submissions are also expected to engage with wider debates that advance the field of regional studies and are of interest to readers of the journal.

View Aims & Scope

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Metrics & Ranking

Impact Factor

Year	Value
2025	4.2
2024	4.40

SJR (SCImago Journal Rank)

Year	Value
2024	1.904

Quartile

Year	Value
2024	Q1

h-index

Year	Value
2024	148

Journal Rank

Year	Value
2024	1575

Journal Citation Indicator

Year	Value
2024	3235

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Abstracting & Indexing

Journal is indexed in leading academic databases, ensuring global visibility and accessibility of our peer-reviewed research.

• Scopus
• Google Scholar
• Web of Science

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Subjects & Keywords

Journal’s research areas, covering key disciplines and specialized sub-topics in Environmental Science and Social Sciences, designed to support cutting-edge academic discovery.

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Most Cited Articles

The Most Cited Articles section features the journal's most impactful research, based on citation counts. These articles have been referenced frequently by other researchers, indicating their significant contribution to their respective fields.

• Proximity and Innovation: A Critical Assessment

  Citation: 4162

  Authors: Ron

• Related Variety, Unrelated Variety and Regional Economic Growth

  Citation: 1737

  Authors: Koen, Frank, Thijs

• How does insertion in global value chains affect upgrading in industrial clusters?

  Citation: 1542

  Authors: John, Hubert

• The Learning Region: Institutions, Innovation and Regional Renewal

  Citation: 1049

  Authors: Kevin

• Proximity and Localization

  Citation: 950

  Authors: Andre, Alain

• The 21st-Century Metropolis: New Geographies of Theory

  Citation: 939

  Authors: Ananya

• The Economic Performance of Regions

  Citation: 916

  Authors: Michael

• Towards an Evolutionary Perspective on Regional Resilience

  Citation: 887

  Authors: Ron

• Do Institutions Matter for Regional Development?

  Citation: 799

  Authors: Andrés

• Territorial Innovation Models: A Critical Survey

  Citation: 715

  Authors: Frank, Farid

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