The Regional Science Association International ( www.regionalscience.org) and the Centre of Applied Economics Studies of the Atlantic ( www.ceeapla.uac.pt) organized a Summer Course, with the theme Regional and Urban Economics that was held from the 4th till the 9th of June, 2012 in São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal.

The goal of the Summer Course is to provide PhD-students and young researchers wit:

1. advanced training in spatial econometrics, operational regional models and in policy analysis of complex transport systems
2. an opportunity to present and discuss their research if possible enlarged to the supervisors with the use of communication technologies,
3. to obtain improved skills and knowledge to advance their careers as researchers.

The summer course will take place during six highly focused and intense days of advanced training, student presentations and discussion, and discussion of career strategies. It will also include a study visit to São Miguel Island that will complete the unique experience of the summer course.

Participants were selected by the scientific committee primarily taking into account:

1. Research experience in one or more of the topics of the summer course;
2. Motivations for participation in the Summer Course (extended abstract) and for having a research career;
3. In addition to these criteria, the scientific committee will look for an international mix of participants.

There were 15 applicants and 6 students from 6 countries.

The lecturers consisted of well-known researchers from all over the world, such as Geofrey Hewings, Vicente Royela Mora, Mário Fortuna, Rosário Macário, Tomaz Ponce Dentinho and José Pedro Pontes.

Lectures

Professor Geoffrey J.D. Hewings

Geoffrey J.D. Hewings is responsible for the overall direction of Regional Economic Applications Laboratory (REAL), coordination with funding agencies and clients and supervision of graduate students who work for REAL on the Urbana campus of the University of Illinois. Geoffrey J.D. Hewings obtained his B.A. from the University of Birmingham (UK) and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington (Seattle). Prior to coming to Illinois in 1974, he was on the faculty of the University of Kent at Canterbury (UK) and the University of Toronto (Canada). In addition to his position in REAL, he is a Professor of Geography and Regional Science, of Economics, and of Urban and Regional Planning. His major research interests lie in the field of urban and regional economic analysis with a focus on the design, implementation and application of regional economic models. He has devoted considerable time to the way in which these models might become useful in policy formation and evaluation.

Professor José Pedro Pontes

José Pedro Pontes is born in 1957. He holds a Phd in Economics from the Technical University of Lisbon in 1987. He holds the degree "Agregação" in Economics from the same University in 1995. He is currently Associate Professor at the Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão (ISEG) of the Technical University of Lisbon. He has the following interest fields: Regional and Urban Economics, International Economics and Industrial Organization. José Pedro Pontes is a member of UECE (Research Unit on Complexity in Economics). He has visited other Universities and research centers such as CORE (Catholic University of Louvain), the Department of Economics of the University of Pennsylvania, KIER (University of Kyoto), the Dresden University of Technology and the RWTH Aachen University. José Pedro Pontes has performed several administrative functions in the University. In 1995 and 1996 he was a member of the Executive of the Scientific Board of ISEG.

Professor Mário Fortuna

Full Professor Universidade dos Açores (2003) PhD in Economics - Boston College, USA  (1983). Masters in Economcs - Boston College, USA (1981). BA in Economics - U.Mass. Dartmouth, USA (1978). Has taught or teaches Public Sector Economics,  Public Policy, Econometrics, Business Finance, Economic Theory – micro and macro. While in the US, between 1979 and 1983, taught at Boston College and Simmons College, in Boston. Colaborated with the Portuguese Catholic University in teaching of advanced programs for managers and with the University of Madeira, as coordinator of the economics program. Hás publilshed on the Azores, on the outer most region policy, on public finance on income support programs and on econometric and CGE modelling.  While in the US, colaborated with the Social Welfare Research Institute, having taken part  in economic studies of the US. In the University of the Azores has held various academic management positions: President of the Cientific Council; President of the Pedagogical Council;Chairman of the Economics Department.  Outside academics, was regional Secretary for the Economy (1990). Is Presidente of the Regional Chapter of the Economist’s Bar (Ordem dos Economistas). Participated, as expert on fiscal and regional issues, in three IMF missions, two to Mongólia, in 2001, and one to China, in 2002. Is involved in business  development and management,  in various companies. Is president of the board of a tobacco company and is in the board of various other companies. Is partner and chief consultant in consulting comnpanies.

Professor Rosário Macário

Rosario Macario, has a degree in Organization and Management since 1987, Master of Transportation since 1994, PhD in Transportation Systems since 2005, Aggregate in Civil Engineering since 2011 at Instituto Superior Técnico. She is the Coordinator of the Master in Planning and Operations of Transportation (IST), and integrates the Science Council of various Masters and Doctorates of IST; she is also visiting professor at the Faculty of Applied Economics at the University of Antwerp, Belgium. She has managed and developed projects and research studies and consulting in various areas, with particular emphasis in the areas of Policy, Planning and Operation of Transport, taking over the coordination of various European and International projects. He is a member of the Board of TIS since 2000, and President of the Assembly of Shareholders since 2005. In parallel with his academic work and business, she is also Vice Chairman of the Scientific Council of WCTRS (World Conference on Transportation Research Society), and co-founder of the Pan American Society for Research in Transport and Vice Chairman of the Association of European Transport .)

Professor Tomaz Dentinho

Tomaz Ponce Dentinho is the coordinator of the Group for Nature Conservation and Management at the Azores University, in Angra, Portugal, and member of the Research Centre for Applied Economics of the Atlantic. He is the promoter and coordinator of the Master on the Management of Nature Conservation and of the PhD on Interdisciplinary Management of the Landscape. His research group, involving around ten researchers undertake studies on regional sustainable development, integrated water management, marine resources’ economics, agricultural economics and cost-benefit analysis. Since 2008, he chairs the Portuguese Association for Regional Development (www.apdr.pt). He is Executive Director of the Regional Science Association International (www.rsai.org ) 

Professor Vicente Royuela Mora

Assistant Professor of Applied Economics in Universitat de Barcelona. Ph.D. in Economics (Universitat de Barcelona, 2000), and member of the Regional Quantitative Analysis Research Group (AQR). My research agenda is focused in applied economics and specially in Regional and Urban Economics. I am currently developing several projects related with Quality of Life and Urban Economics, and with Real Estate.

The Scientific Committee, indicated by the Board of RSAI is composed by the following members: 

• Geoffrey Hewings (University of Illinois) 
• José Pedro Pontes (Technical University of Lisbon)
• Mário Fortuna (University of Azores)
• Rosário Macário (Technical University of Lisbon)
• Tomaz Dentinho (University of Azores/APDR)
• Vicente Royuela Mora (University of Barcelona)

Organising Committee

• Tomaz Dentinho (RSAI – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) 
• Elisabete Martins (RSAI - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) 
• Suzana Sardinha (CEEPLA - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Organization and Sponsors

	União EuropeiaFEDER