Research output per year
Research output per year
Personal profile
Research
I completed my PhD (2010) at the University of Toronto, Canada. I then started at Lund University as a post-doctoral researcher at CIRCLE, before joining the Department of Human Geography in 2014.
My research on urban and regional development weaves together three strands of work: the geography of innovation diffusion; institutions and institutional capacity; and the role of agency in regional development. Projects in which I have investigated these themes have had different empirical contexts, including the medtech sector and cultural and creative industries; Big Science research infrastructures; and non-core / peripheral / second tier regions in Sweden.
Currently my research is focued on Ageing Populations and how these are re-shaping labour markets, innovation and regional development and planning.
Teaching
Teaching areas range from basic (Bach.) to advanced (Msc. and doctoral) level economic geography (industrial geography and regional dynamics) and innovations studies, in addition to Applied Research Methods and Research Design in Urban Planning.
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Social and Economic Geography
- Other Social Sciences
Free keywords
- urban and regional development
- institutional capacity
- innovation diffusion
- research infrastructure
- agency
- ageing society
- periphery
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
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Coworking Spaces in smaller and more sparsely populated regions
Rekers, J. V., Andersson, M., Rosengren, C. & Stihl, L., 2026 Jun 16, Handbook of Labour Mobility: Regional, National and Global Perspectives . Eriksson, R. H. & Kalsø Hansen, H. (eds.). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd., p. 341–356Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review
Open Access -
Regional lock-ins and realities of firm-level diversification
Stihl, L. & Rekers, J. V., 2026 Mar, In: Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society. 19, 1, p. 129–141Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
One crisis, one region, two municipalities: The geography of institutions and change agency in regional development paths
Stihl, L. & Rekers, J. V., 2021 Jun 16, In: Geoforum. 124, August 2021, p. 89-98 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
What triggers innovation diffusion? Intermediary organizations and geography in cultural and science-based industries
Rekers, J. V., 2016 Sept 1, In: Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy. 34, 6, p. 1058-1075 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Subnational Ageing Trends in Sweden: A Sequence Analysis Approach
Hanika, S. & Rekers, J. V., 2026 Jun 1, In: Tijdschrift Voor Economische en Sociale Geografie. 117, 3, p. 469-472 4 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access
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Ageing Regions: Turning liabilities into opportunities for regional development
Rekers, J. (PI), Hansen, H. K. (CoI), Lindsjö, K. (Researcher) & Händén-Svensson, S. (Researcher)
2024/01/01 → 2027/12/03
Project: Research
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Regional Growth against all odds
Grillitsch, M. (Project coordinator), Dahl Fitjar, R. (Researcher), Haus-Reve, S. (Researcher), Kolehmainen, J. (Researcher), Kurikka, H. (Researcher), Kuusk, K. (Researcher), Lundquist, K.-J. (Researcher), Martynovich, M. (Researcher), Miörner, J. (Researcher), Nilsson, M. (Researcher), Rekers, J. (Researcher), Sotarauta, M. (Researcher), Wiig Aslesen, H. (Researcher) & Stihl, L. (Research student)
2017/08/01 → 2021/08/31
Project: Research
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Exploring challenges for New Big Science: The realization of ESS and MAX IV in Lund - Theme, Pufendorf IAS
Rekers, J. (CoI), Sandell, K. (PI), Haider, J. (PI), Kjellberg, S. (PI), Maunsbach, U. (PI), Kaijser, A. (PI) & Wennersten, U. (PI)
2014/09/01 → 2015/09/01
Project: Research
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Ekosystemanalys av Skånes specialiseringsområden / Ecosystem analysis of specialization areas in Skåne
Nilsson, M. (PI), Rekers, J. (Researcher), Grillitsch, M. (Researcher), Salomonson, J. (Researcher) & Du Priest, L. (Researcher)
2020/09/01 → 2021/05/01
Project: Research
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Scientific infrastructure and complex geographies: Building components, capabilities and collaborations for the European Spallation Source
Rekers, J. (PI)
2017/07/01 → 2018/07/01
Project: Research
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From crisis to renewal - On transformation processes in old industrial regions
Stihl, L. (Invited speaker) & Rekers, J. (Invited speaker)
2024 Feb 28Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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Näringslivsutveckling i Kiruna
Stihl, L. (Organiser) & Rekers, J. (Contributor)
2022 Dec 21Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Organisation of workshop/ seminar/ course
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Agency, regional development and local context: Micro-level evidence from an old industrial region
Stihl, L. (Presenter) & Rekers, J. (Presenter)
2019 Nov 7Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation
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”We were only managing our legacy” Forms of agency in Olofström’s development path from supply chain to regional cluster
Rekers, J. (Presenter) & Stihl, L. (Presenter)
2019 JunActivity: Talk or presentation › Presentation