The RUSTIK Regional Dissemination Event in the UK will take place on Thursday, 20 November 2025, from 13:00 to 16:30 GMT at the historic Blackfriars Priory in Gloucester.
This half-day event, titled “Creating Sustainable Rural Futures through New Data and Tools,” will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders to explore how innovative data approaches and participatory mapping can inform more resilient and inclusive rural strategies.
Event Highlights
The afternoon will open with a welcome and introduction by Professor Matthew Reed, Director of the Countryside and Community Research Institute (CCRI) and Head of Research at the University of Gloucestershire. His remarks will set the tone for a dynamic discussion on rural sustainability, grounded in regional and European perspectives.
Participants will then hear an overview of work from the UK Living Labs, presented by the RUSTIK and GRANULAR project teams. Confirmed speakers include:
- Daniel Keech and Katarina Kubinakova (RUSTIK Gloucestershire Living Lab)
- Demelza Jones (Monmouthshire County Council)
- Aimee Morse (RUSTIK Monmouthshire Living Lab)
- Jonathan Hopkins and David Millar (James Hutton Institute, GRANULAR Scotland Living Lab)
A panel discussion will follow, exploring the role of spatial data and mapping tools in strengthening community engagement and shaping effective local policy.
Panellists include:
- Scott Orford (Cardiff University)
- Asta Hiippala (Mapita)
- Nick Turner (Creative Sustainability)
with Demelza Jones serving as chair.
After a short coffee break, a series of lightning talks will highlight innovative approaches to using local data in rural policy development. Presenters include Michael Woods (Aberystwyth University) and Scott Orford (Cardiff University).
The afternoon will continue with facilitated group discussions, inviting participants to share their insights and ideas on the future use of local data for sustainable rural policies. The event will close with a plenary session, gathering key takeaways and reflections, led by the RUSTIK UK team.
Why Attend
This event offers a valuable platform to:
- Discover how data-driven tools and participatory methods are reshaping rural development.
- Exchange knowledge and experiences across research, policy, and practice.
- Contribute to ongoing discussions on evidence-based, locally grounded strategies for rural sustainability.
Attendees can expect lively debate, hands-on insights, and new connections to support rural innovation in the UK and across Europe.
Building on Previous Regional Workshops
This UK dissemination event builds on the success of previous RUSTIK regional workshops, including recent sessions in Galicia, which focused on multi-actor approaches to rural sustainability, and earlier discussions on innovative responses to rural demographic shifts, in Finland.
Together, these events highlight the growing importance of collaboration, knowledge exchange, and adaptive, data-informed strategies in shaping the future of rural regions.
Check the AGENDA!
