Universities are under increasing pressure to help promote socio-economic growth in their local communities. However until now, no systematic, critical attention has been paid to the factors and mechanisms that currently make this process so daunting. In Universities and Regional Development, scholars from Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia critically address this knowledge gap, focusing on policy, organization, and the role of individual actors to uncover the challenges facing higher education institutions as they seek to engage with their regions. In a systematic and comparative manner, this book shows internal and external audiences why, how, and when the institutionalization of universities' "third missions" should take place, and also: (1) challenges conventional wisdom about the role of universities in society and the economy; (2) demonstrates how institutions in different nations and regions cope with local engagement; (3) combines the latest national, regional and local research with international perspectives; and (4) integrates diverse conceptual and disciplinary frameworks. "Universities and Regional Development" is a key resource for researchers and students of higher education and territorial development, educational policy makers, and university managers seeking to engage with the world beyond their university.