Professor Mihalis Kavaratzis (Professor of Place Marketing at Manchester Metropolitan University (SFIPM) had a presentation on 'Can place branding 'rise to the occasion' and contribute to sustainable and resilient development?'.

Abstract: Place branding can assist places in their effort to develop in a more sustainable manner and to become more resilient. However, there are preconditions that are necessary for place branding to play this important role. The recent pandemic has helped re-formulate priorities around sustainability and the digital transformation of places. Now, more than ever is the chance to rethink and start over. This presentation will argue that place branding should and can ‘rise to the occasion’ of helping places in our turbulent times by becoming what is introduce as ‘RISE’ place branding: Responsible, Inclusive, Smart and Equitable.

Dr Barbara Czarnecka, Associate Professor in Marketing, LSBU, talked about 'The dilemma between omni-cultural versus mono-cultural branding in multicultural towns'.

The seminar was a resounding success and a profound journey into the world of place branding. The insightful presentations from Dr. Barbara Czarnecka and Prof. Mihalis Kavaratzis illuminated the significance of place branding for sustainability and inclusion, offering diverse perspectives that underscored its importance in fostering multicultural understanding.

The session, coordinated and moderated by Dr Ioana Stoica and Dr Augusta Evans, embodies our commitment to cultivating a vibrant research culture. By engaging our colleagues in research activities and events, we strive to enrich the academic environment for all, including our students.

The seminar's attendees experienced firsthand the advantages of research informed teaching, leaving with a deeper appreciation for the intricate relationship between place branding and its role in shaping sustainable, inclusive communities.