LAUSR

The fragile state of the current world order has become increasingly apparent over the last year. A series of profound changes have coalesced to create a climate of uncertainty and anxiety in many regions and nations. The most significant symptom of the new situation may be the stalling of globalization, with wide-ranging causes and consequences (Ó hUallacháin, Douma, & Kane, 2017). Various political, demographic, technological and environmental shifts are additional sources of social instability and disruption. The implications for cities and regions of themultiple transitions and transformations currently underway are unclear and unpredictable. The stakes seem to be high, with sizeable gaps opening up between the people and places emerging aswinners and losers from these processes (Gagliardi&Percoco, 2017; Quatraro & Usai, 2017). A fundamental shift in economic power and political influence from Western countries towards the East is having extensive reverberations for patterns of trade, investment and geopolitical alliances (Dunford et al., 2016; Horner, 2016). This coincides with diminished dynamism in many advanced economies, attributable to a slowdown in productivity growth and ageing demographics. The effects include stagnant real incomes, which have fuelled social discontent and unrest, and given rise to populist pressures with unexpected electoral outcomes (Los, McCann, Springford, & Thissen, 2017). A backlash against immigration and resurgent secession movements in many countries promise simple, insular solutions to the predicament (Convery & Lundberg, 2017). Yet, the consequences of inward-looking policies often set back economic progress and human development. Rising protectionism and other isolationist tendencies have also contributed to a slowdown in international trade and cross-border financial flows. Unsurprisingly, there is much to research and debate about the idea of globalization going into reverse, or ‘deglobalisation’ (Turok et al., 2017). Technological change is undoubtedly contributing to the sense of dislocation. The disruptive power of new technology has become increasingly apparent in the ‘big data’ revolution, the mobile internet, advanced materials, three-dimensional (3D) printing and sophisticated robotics (seeHervás-Oliver, Albors-Garrigos, Estelles-Miguel, & Boronat-Moll, 2017, on radical innovation). The extent of change is epitomized by the notion of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the fusion of physical, digital and biological innovations. New technologies offer the potential to connect disparate communities in useful ways and to improve the responsiveness of public and private organizations (Larty, Jack, & Lockett, 2017). They could also improve the functional efficiency of cities and help to tackle climate change and other environmental hazards (see Rossi, 2016, on smart cities). However, such innovations also threaten people and places that struggle to adapt (Pugh, 2017), and raise growing concerns about personal security and the safety of communities in the face of terror networks. In addition, narrow elites could capture the bulk of the benefits of new technologies and thereby reinforce social fragmentation and spatial inequalities. Regional research is vital to inform public debates and facilitate appropriate policy responses. In an era of ‘fake news’, ‘alternative facts’ and corrupt leaders, robust knowledge, sound evidence and rigorous policy evaluation are essential correctives (Fratesi & Wishlade, 2017). Disruption is also evident in the globalized journal publishing industry, with the proliferation of competing knowledge platforms and support services to access information. Interestingly, this puts a premium on the highest-quality, mostvisible, readily available research from trusted sources and subject to rigorous peer review. Fortunately, Regional Studies is well placed to benefit from the growing global demand for reliable knowledge, given its extensive network of authors and referees, well-established editorial team, and support from a learned society – the Regional Studies Association (RSA) – and reputable publisher – the Taylor & Francis Group. Last year was very eventful forRegional Studies as it celebrated its 50th anniversary and a new cover and page design heralded the next stage in the life of the journal. This coincided with an improved journal impact factor (2.780) and ranking (9/79 in Geography, 34/347 in Economics and 21/105 in Environmental Studies). As well as being cited, Regional Studies articles are being read at ever greater rates around the world and the journal continues to see significant increases in its download figures. Authors and readers will also be pleased to read that the backlog to print publication has been reduced to approximately eightmonths