Markku Sotarauta, Professor of Regional Development Studies, Tampere University

Tell us briefly about your research topics and international work

My research focuses on the planned and unplanned development of cities and regions. I am particularly interested in leadership and institutional entrepreneurship in city and regional development. I have published almost two hundred scientific papers on these subjects; my newest books are the ‘Handbook on City and Regional Leadership’ (co-edited by Prof. Beer), published by Edward Elgar Publishing, and ‘Leadership and the City’, published by Routledge. I have directed either entire projects or Finland’s share of a project in ten international research projects. In addition, I have been a visiting professor at Newcastle University (UK) and have done long research periods in MIT. I have collaborated with researchers from Lund University and the University of Southern Australia for a particularly long time. In 2013, I was Academic Director of the Regional Studies Association (RSA) international conference in Tampere. I am Chairman of NoRSA (RSA’s Nordic Division), and a member of RSA’s research committee.

Based on your vast experience, what makes Tampere an especially good location for international conferences?

Tampere is an excellent conference city because all essential places are within walking distance of each other, cooperation is smooth with the people needed to organise a conference, and everything works well. If problems arise, they can be solved quickly and efficiently. Many regional scientists and economic geographers are interested in visiting a city whose transition went from industrial city to modern hub for technology.

How would you describe Tampere as a city? What makes it special?

Tampere is made special by its history, industrial traditions, nature, strong cultural offering, and successful athletes and clubs: and of course, Tampere University.