School of Geography and the Environment at the University of Oxford invites geographers, regional scientists, policy makers and researchers of related disciplines to participate in the Fourth Global Conference on Economic Geography 'Mapping Economies in Transformation', to be held in Oxford on 19-22 August, 2015. For details see http://www.gceg2015.org/.

Full Professor of Social Sustainability
(Ref.no 2538-95)
WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business)

WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) is currently inviting applications for the position of a Full Professor of Social Sustainability at the Department of Socioeconomics.

Applicants should have an outstanding international reputation in high quality scholarship and conduct research on sustainability transitions/transformations including intragenerational and intergenerational aspects. Applicants should have a background in socioeconomics and a proven ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment and are expected to cultivate an environment of interdisciplinary collaboration. Their work relates to core research and teaching areas of the Department, sustainable social, environmental and economic systems in particular. They have an interest in contributing to the policy debate on social sustainability and actively support the science-society interface. Applicants should have a proven track record of excellent teaching and are expected to take an active role in the University’s self-governance.

For details of the position, please see www.wu.ac.at/jobs. Applications must be submitted by April 23, 2014. 

Dear colleagues and friends,

I wanted to write to you personally a few days before officially opening the call for papers for the XL Conference of Regional Studies that we will be celebrating in Zaragoza on the 20th and 21st of November this year under the lemma: “FINANCING AND THE ROLE OF REGIONS AND TOWNS IN ECONOMIC RECOVERY”. These are difficult times with strong economic restrictions and in many cases participants will have to make an important economic and personal effort. With this in mind, we are asking for your collaboration to make Zaragoza the capital of Regional Science during the days of the conference.

The organizing committee –the research groups of Quantitative Economic Analysis (GAEC) and Public Economy of the University of Zaragoza - are making a huge effort to offer participants a great conference. On the academic side, we are putting together a very attractive programme where the plenary sessions will be given by internationally recognized researchers. Moreover, our conference will take place in parallel with the 7th Seminar Jean Paelinck, whose sessions will be opened to all participants.

The conference will be taking place in the Faculty of Economic and Enterprise and the ’Paraninfo’ of the University of Zaragoza, both located in the centre of Zaragoza, at less than 10 minute walk from the historical centre. There is a wide range of accommodation available in the area. In spite of severe budget restrictions, we are trying to offer an attractive entertainment program that complements the academic agenda in such a way that participants can experience the best of our region. On the conference website you can find more information on accommodation, travelling and entertainment opportunities in Zaragoza and Aragón.

We hope to see you in Zaragoza! Warm regards,

The Organizing Committee 

_____________________________________________________

Apreciado colega, querido amigo,

Quería escribirte personalmente unos días antes de poner en marcha el call for papers oficial de la XL Reunión de Estudios Regionales que celebraremos en Zaragoza los días 20 y 21 de noviembre del presente año bajo el lema: “LOS SISTEMAS DE FINANCIACIÓN Y EL PAPEL DE LAS REGIONES Y LOS MUNICIPIOS EN LA RECUPERACIÓN ECONÓMICA”. Somos conscientes de que son tiempos complicados de fuertes limitaciones y que en muchos casos los participantes tendrán que hacer un esfuerzo personal y económico importante. No obstante, te pido tu asistencia y participación para que, entre todos y a pesar del contexto, logremos que Zaragoza sea durante los días del congreso la capital de la ciencia regional.

El comité organizador local, los grupos de investigación consolidados de Análisis Económico Cuantitativo (GAEC) yde Economía Pública de la Universidad de Zaragoza, estamos haciendo un importante esfuerzo para ofreceros un buen congreso. En el plano académico, estamos preparando un programa muy atractivo en el que contaremos con ponentes de reconocido prestigio internacional para las conferencias plenarias. Además, nuestro congreso se desarrollará de forma paralela con el 7th Seminar Jean Paelinck, cuyas sesiones estarán abiertas a todos los participantes.

Para el desarrollo de la Reunión contamos con la Facultad de Economía y Empresa y el Paraninfode la Universidad de Zaragoza, ambos ubicados en pleno centro de Zaragoza, a unos de 10 minutos paseando del centro histórico de la ciudad. Además, en esta zona de la ciudad existe una amplia oferta hotelera. Dentro de las limitaciones presupuestarias a las que nos enfrentamos, tratamos de no descuidar un programa lúdico que complemente adecuadamente al académico para que puedas disfrutar de los sabores y calidez de nuestra región. En la web del encuentro encontrarás más indicaciones sobre alojamiento, traslados y oportunidades de ocio en Zaragoza y Aragón.

Esperamos verte en Zaragoza. Un afectuoso saludo,

El Comité de organización

Migration Impact Assessment: New Horizons

Abstract

Most countries of the world  are increasingly affected by international migration: either as senders of emigrants, receivers of immigrants, or in many cases as both. The composition of the migrant population is often very different from that of the host population in terms of demographic, cultural and socio-economic characteristics.  Migrant settlement is world-wide also predominantly concentrated in specific ‘attractor’ regions, in particular in metropolitan agglomerations of the developed world. The extent to which foreign migrants exert positive or negative long-range effects on the local, regional or national economy is, however, an underresearched topic in many counties.

Broadly speaking, both sending countries and host countries have gained from two centuries of mass population redistribution and crossborder mobility is presently greater than ever before. However, in recent years there has been a growing backlash against the notion that international migration at current levels provides a net benefit to nation states. Migrant-sending countries are concerned about  a ‘brain drain’ of highly qualified workers, while receiving countries worry that the ‘migrant absorption capacity’ has been exceeded, leading to detrimental  economic outcomes and rising social tensions. Of course, there are clear parallels with the other dimensions of unprecedented global economic integration since 1980s, namely trade and capital mobility, of which the benefits and costs are also hotly debated.

This paper discusses examples of a range of the scientific methods that are currently available to conduct Migration Impact Assessment (MIA). It also provides various case studies that may assist in verifying and quantifying the societal consequences of international migration. We define MIA as the integrated application of scientific tools to trace the broad socio-economic impacts of cross-border migration and related policies. Clearly, the impacts of migration go beyond the socio-economic realm and include cultural, environmental, political, spiritual and strategic issues.  

16th Annual BIOECON Conference
Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Sustainability

21-23 September 2014
Kings College, Cambridge
United Kingdom

Hosted by the London School of Economics, the Graduate Institute-Geneva and University of Cambridge

Supported by the Founding Partners of the BIOECON Network: UNEP, IUCN, FEEM, IHEID and The Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment (LSE)

With the contribution of The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)

The BIOECON Partners are pleased to announce theSixteenth Annual International BIOECON conference on the theme of "Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Sustainability".

The conference will be held once again on the premises ofKings College Cambridge, England on the 22nd -23rd September 2014. The conference will be of interest to both researchers and policy makers working on issues broadly in the area of biodiversity, ecosystem services, sustainable development and natural capital, in both developed and developing countries.

The conference takes a broad interest in the area of resource management, development and conservation, including but not limited to: the role of biodiversity and ecosystem services in economic development, plant genetic resources and food security issues, deforestation and development, fisheries and institutional adaptation, development and conservation, wildlife conservation, and international trade and regulation. The conference will have sessions on economic development, growth and biodiversity conservation, as well as on institutions and institutional change pertaining to the management of living resources.

Papers are specially invited on the themes of:

- Natural capital and wealth accounting
- Policy evaluation of biodiversity-related policies
- Institutional frameworks for resource conservation (property rights, market instruments etc.)
- Valuation methodology and its application to biodiversity conservation
- Behavioural economics in biodiversity policy design - Evaluation of conservation policy successes and failures
- Issues of governance and management of natural resources in developing countries
- Development, growth and resource constraints, especially in relation to food security
- Resources management, distribution, development, poverty alleviation
- Institution-building for provision of global public goods

In addition, two expert policy panelswill be held related to this theme. The first will focus on green growth and natural capital accounting as they pertain to biodiversity and ecosystem services. The second will rise to the challenge raised by a keynote speaker in last year's BIOECON conference in focussing on the impact of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems and the appropriate policy response.

Keynote speakersfor the 16th BIOECON Conference are:

Professor Christian Gollier, Toulouse School of Economics
Professor James Salzman, Duke University

Only complete papers may be submitted for presentation within the conference. Electronic copies should be sent to Kristine Kjeldsen (at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) no later than15th May 2014.Please include Abstract, JEL Codes and Keywords with your submission.Acceptance of papers will be notified by email by 2nd June 2014.

It is also possible to submit 3-4 papers together as a suggested "session" under one of the themes indicated above. The Scientific Partners reserve the right to accept papers on an individual basis, so it is possible that even when a session is not accepted, individual papers within the session might be so.

The conference will open with a reception at Kings College on early evening of Sunday 21st of September. Conference sessions will commence on the morning of the 22nd of September and conclude on the afternoon of the 23rd of September. The conference banquet will take place at the main Dining Hall of Kings College on the evening of the 22nd of September.

Selected presenters will be invited to register one presenter for the conference at the "invited presenter" rate. The invited presenter rate consists of a 100 Euroregistration feethat will cover the costs of 2 nights single accommodation, reception, lunches, and conference banquet. (Anything other than single accommodation must be provided outside of Kings College, and is at the expense of the participant. Additional guests may be registered for the Conference Banquet at the additional cost of 50 Euros per guest.) There is a 200 Euro registration fee for all other participants that will include the banquet, lunches and refreshments, but not accommodation. There is a 100 Euro registration fee for day-participants (that includes lunches and refreshments but not lodging and the conference banquet). All other questions regarding fees, registrations and accommodation should be sent toThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Registration will open on 2nd June 2014. Registrations for conference presenters are due by 20th June 2014. Registration for all other participants closes on the20th August 2014.

Further registration details and all other conference information will be provided on the BIOECON web-site at http://www.bioecon-network.org/pages/16th_2014.html. 

Download the Announcement and Call for Papers document[pdf - 219 Kb]

Dear NECTAR friends,

Please find attached the call for papers for the next NECTAR Cluster 4 meeting on 'Commuting, migration, housing and labour market' that will be held on June 12th-13th (2014), in Stockholm, Sweden.

Abstract submission: April 4, 2014

Submission of abstracts and further inquiries should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kind regards

Ana Condeço-Melhorado

NECTAR secretary

The Department of Geography and Planning at the University of Toledo currently has funded graduate student positions available for the upcoming 2014/2015 academic year in our MA Geography and PhD Spatially Integrated Social Sciences (SISS) programs. Current areas of research within the department for these programs includes:

Geospatial Techniques and Technologies
Transportation Planning
Remote Sensing of the Enviroment
Economic Development and Industrial Location
Cultural Groups and Regions
Urban Planning and Design
Geographic Education
Community Development and Housing
Environmental Planning and Water Resources
GIS Applications

Applications are currently being accepted with funding decisions to made starting April 1st.  Graduate funding include tuition wavier and stipend, including opportunities for multi-year support.

More information on our department and programs can be found at:
http://www.utoledo.edu/llss/geography/

Interested students should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (PhD SISS program director) or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (MA Geography program director)

7th edition of the Spatial Econometrics Advanced Institute (SEAI14), the summer school organized yearly by the Spatial Econometrics Association.

As usual the school will take place in Rome in the splendid new location of the Catholic University Campus near San Peter basilica. (http://roma.unicatt.it/home?rdeLocaleAttr=en).

The instructors of this year's edition are: Giuseppe Arbia (week 1), Anil Bera (week 2), Ingmar Prucha (week 3), Badi Baltagi (week 4). The computer lab sessions on the software language R will be lead by Gianfranco Piras, Diego Giuliani, Rodolfo Metulini and Giovanni Millo.

Here below please find the deadlines and timetable:

March 20th, 2014 - Deadline for formal applications
March 31st 2014 - Notification of acceptance
May  9th 2014 - Deadline for payments
May 12th- June 6th, 2013 - Courses

All details may be found at the web page: http://www.spatialeconometricsassociation.org/advanced/index-2.html

Send the applications forms to : This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.