There is widespread concern about regional inequalities in many countries. The political shocks of the 2010s - including Brexit, Trump's 2016 election, and the Gilets Jaunes - all have deep roots in the poorest regions.

Is regional inequality driving political polarisation? And, if so, what can we do about it? This event brings together high-profile authors from political science, geography, economics, and psychology to debate this question.

Andrés Rodríguez-Pose (@rodriguez_pose) is the Princesa de Asturias Chair and a Professor of Economic Geography at LSE. He is the Director of the Cañada Blanch Centre at LSE. 

Maria Abreu (@mariaaabreu) is a regional economist, working on topics relating to labour markets, education and skills, migration, and productivity. She is University Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) at the Department of Land Economy, and Fellow of Pembroke College, University of Cambridge.

Jonathan Hopkin (@jrhopkin) is Professor of Comparative Politics in the Department of Government at LSE.

Ellen Helsper (@EllenHel) is Professor of Digital Inequalities at the Department of Media and Communications at LSE and co-convenor of the Politics of Inequality Research Theme at the International Inequalities Institute.

Neil Lee (@ndrlee) is Professor of Economic Geography at the Department of Geography and Environment at LSE and leads the Cities, Jobs and Economic Change Research Theme at the International Inequalities Institute.

The International Inequalities Institute (@LSEInequalities) at LSE brings together experts from many LSE departments and centres to lead cutting-edge research focused on understanding why inequalities are escalating in numerous arenas across the world, and to develop critical tools to address these challenges.