The PASCAL Observatory is an international research and policy development alliance which aims to develop, communicate and explain new and emerging ideas in the areas of place management, social capital and learning regions. It was founded to enable governments at all levels and associated policy-makers to benefit fully from emerging research and learning about how best to foster balanced and sustainable economic and social development in their regions. The central purpose is to enable the effective delivery of policies that improve the quality of living and working circumstances at local and regional levels, recognising the importance of learning, social capital and the necessity of partnership for the successful implementation of policy.

PASCAL operates globally from three centres at RMIT University, University of Glasgow and the Northern Illinois University. It is co-directed by Professor Mike Osborne in Glasgow, Professor Bruce Wilson in RMIT and Dr Robert Gleeson at NIU. Chief Executive is Mr John Tibbitt, based at Glasgow University.

PASCAL offers a single, online portal which brings together relevant documents, analysis, news, events and research, providing easy, cost effective and efficient access to relevant and useful information. In addition PASCAL has an expanding range of publications, annual conferences and research, including the PURE programme.

PASCAL has an extensive network of accredited associates who all have experience in senior positions in academic or government institutions, who can be mobilised rapidly to offer expert advice and research to member and client organisations from an international perspective. PASCAL is a not for profit organisation supported by subscriptions from its membership.

Reflecting its concern to link the policy and research communities, PASCAL draws its members from regional authorities, universities and other organisations in the policy and research communities. See member profiles here.

PASCAL provides a wide variety of products and services, and undertakes bespoke programmes of work for member organisations. See full details of membership benefits here.

Download the PASCAL brochure as a PDF file.[English] [French/English]