Although much of the basic research in geography and regional science is conducted by faculty members in disciplinary-oriented departments within colleges and universities, many faculty members in professional planning schools also engage in high-quality basic research. For faculty in these programs, the annual meeting of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP) is one of the foremost settings at which to hear the latest research results, plan future research and educational collaborations, and discuss other matters of mutual interest. In July 1991, the ACSP annual meeting will be held jointly with the annual meeting of the Association of European Schools of Planning (AOESP) in Oxford, England. This meeting will be one of the first opportunities for large-scale direct contact between Americans and European with common planning-related research interests. This proposal provides group-travel support to enable at least eight women who hold junior faculty positions at American universities to attend the joint ACSP/AOESP meeting in Oxford. All travel-grant recipients will be required to seek out and explore possibilities for research collaboration with at least one European scholar. Travel-grant recipients will report on their activities at the joint conference and on their efforts to establish collaborations after the meeting. Recipients also will be required to secure matching funds to support their attendance at the meeting. Through this award, American participation in this important international meeting will be expanded. At least eight young women will be given opportunities to broaden their exposure to current knowledge and to expand their networks of international contacts. Long-term benefits of this activity ultimately will include development of collaborative international research projects and stimulation of the careers of productive young women scientists.
