The Peter Nijkamp RSAI Research Encouragement Award for an Mid-Career Scholar from a Developing Country

Call for applications

The Peter Nijkamp Research Encouragement Award

The award recognizes the outstanding potential of a mid-career researcher from a nation in the developing world in which there is a section of RSAI. Conditions for applications are:

• No more than 10 years from the doctoral qualification (by Dec 31, 2022);
• Live in developing nations continuously for at least three years as at Dec 31, 2022;
• Be a member of RSAI in good standing;
• Submit a written formal research paper on a topic in Regional Science;
• Submit an updated version of CV.

All material must be submitted to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Nominees will be judged in part on the evaluation of the paper and in part on an evaluation of the research track record and performance (CV).

The winner(s) will receive support, up to 750 Euro, to participate in a Supra-Regional meeting or in the World Congress, at which the paper will be presented.

The jury will comprise the Immediate Past-President of RSAI as Chair, an Editor of Papers in Regional Science, and two RSAI Fellows.

Deadline for the applications: February 28, 2024. 

Winners

1. Goal 

The Award recognizes the outstanding potential of an mid-career researcher from a nation in the developing world and in which there is a formal Section of RSAI, and seeks to encourage the development of the early career scholar as a high quality researcher in the field of Regional Science and as a participant in the international Regional Science community.

2. The Award and Eligibility

2.1 The Award is established to recognize and honour the outstanding contribution Professor Peter Nijkamp, a Fellow of RSAI and an outstanding regional science researcher, has made to the encouragement and involvement of young scholars in Regional Science research and activities.

2.2 The Award recognizes the potential of outstanding scholarship in Regional Science in an mid-career researcher working in a developing nation where there is a Section of RSAI. 

2.3 Each year the RSAI Council will nominate a list of countries which it designates as a developing nation, and in which there is a Section of RSAI, for the purpose of eligibility for the purpose of the Award. 

2.4 Eligibility to apply for the Award is restricted to mid-career researchers, defined as person in full time employment in either a teaching or a research position in a university or research institution in a developing nation in which there is a member section of RSAI, and who has held their doctoral qualification for no more than ten (10) years as at the 31 December in the year in which they apply for the Award. 

2.5 An applicant for the Award must have been living in that or another developing nation continuously for at least the three year period from the 31 December of the year in which the application for the Award is made. 

2.6 An applicant for the Award must be a member of RSAI. 

2.7 The Award is made for what is judged in part on an evaluation of the quality of a written formal research paper on a topic in Regional Science, formatted in accordance with the requirements for submitting a paper Papers in Regional Science, and in part on an evaluation of the research track record and performance of the applicant as demonstrated in a full Curriculum Vitae.

2.8 RSAI will pay the costs of the winner of the Award to attend a meeting of one of the Supra-Regional organizations in RSAI (NARSC,ERSA, PRSCO) or the RSAI World Congress, participate in the conference, present paper at that meeting, and have the paper submitted for review and potential publication in Papers in Regional Science. The costs to be met by RSAI are an advance purchase air fare, conference registration, and accommodation at the conference. 

2.9 A winner of the Award will be presented with a certificate at the RSAI meeting at which the winner attends and presents the winning paper.

2.10 Up to two (2) Awards may be made in any one year.

3. Nomination Process

3.1 By April each year the Executive Director will contact members of RSAI and post on the RSAI website a notice calling for applications for the Peter Nijkamp RSAI Research Encouragement Award for an Mid-Career Scholar from a Developing Country Award.

3.2 An eligible mid-career researcher from an eligible developing nation may submit a paper and their CV to the RSAI Executive Secretary for consideration for the Award at any time up to the end of November of that year.

3.3 An applicant for the Award must provide the RSAI Executive Director with an electronic copy of a paper, formatted in accordance with the requirements for submitting a manuscript to Papers in Regional Science, that is intended to be presented or which has been accepted for presentation to a forthcoming NARSC, ERSA or PRSCO conference or the RSAI World Congress.

3.4 In addition, an applicant for the Award must provide the RSAI Executive Director with an electronic copy of their up-to-date CV.

4. Jury and Process for Recommending the Award

4.1 In the last quarter of each year, a four person Jury will be named by the RSAI Council to consider the nominations for the Peter Nijkamp RSAI Research Encouragement Award for an mid-Career Scholar from a Developing Country.

4.2 The Jury will comprise the Immediate Past-President of RSAI as Chair, an Editor of Papers in Regional Science, and two Fellows of RSAI.

4.3 The Jury will convene (in person and/or by email/teleconference) after 1 January in the following calendar year.

4.4 The Jury will evaluate the applications received and passed onto it by the RSAI Executive Director. The Jury will submit its recommendation(s) to the RSAI Executive Director by the end of February in that year.

4.5 The RSAI Executive Secretary will inform the winner(s) of the Award and, up to a limit of 750 € will  make arrangements for their travel to the Supra-Regional (NARSC, ERSA, PRSCO) meeting or the RSAI World Congress at which the paper will be presented.

4.6 The Award must be taken up and the winner(s) attend the conference nominated during that year or the Award will lapse.

4.7 The Award will be presented to the Awardee(s) at the meeting at which the paper is presented by the Awardee(s).

The Martin Beckmann RSAI Annual Award for the Best Paper in Papers in Regional Science

Winner 2024

RSAI has the great pleasure to announce that the jury consisting of Carlos Azzoni (LARSA), Janet Kohlhase (NARSC), Frank van Oort (ERSA) and Rosella Nicolini (ERSA, PiRS EiC) chose the article:

Vicente Rios, Mercedes Beltrán‐Esteve, Lisa Gianmoena, Jesús Peiró‐Palomino, Andrés J Picazo‐Tadeo (2023): Quality of government and women's political empowerment: Evidence from European Regions, Papers in Regional Science vol. 102, issue 6, pp. 1067-1097.

Motivation:

This study proposes a novel contribution that shifts the research frontier of the literature on the quality of government, from a regional perspective, by emphasizing the relevance of the gender dimension. Referring to European regions, the authors produce valuable insights endorsed by precise quantitative evidence on the extent women’s political empowerment rises the quality of the government that, in turn, boosts female empowerment. From a technical viewpoint, this contribution implements a solid research methodology that addresses endogeneity with a tailored identification strategy by exploiting GS3SLS-RF method and dealing with spatial analysis in a causal framework.

as the winner of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2023.

Previous winners

2023
The jury consisting of Budy Resosudarmo (PRSCO), William Strange (NARSC), Isabelle Thomas (ERSA) and Rosella Nicolini, EiC of the journal chose the article: Jhorland Ayala-García and Sandy Dall'Erba (2022) The Impact of preemptive investments on Natural disasters, published in Papers in Regional Science, Volume 101, Issue 5, Pages 1087-1103. Motivation: This study delivers a very original contribution to the current and relevant debate on the role of institutions and public policies aiming at contrasting the socioeconomic impact of natural disasters on citizens’ life. The authors implement a precise research strategy approaching physical geography to regional science. They exploit novel and original data combining satellite information with public finance data for Colombian municipality and propose different indicators for approximating the market and non-market losses of landslide-related events (associated with extreme rainfalls events due to climate change). The empirical analysis relies on a robust IV approach building on a very attentive selection of covariates fitting the proposed indicators. The conclusion is a direct message to institutions and policy-makers demanding effective measures to protect lives and assets of the most vulnerable population. as the winner of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2022.
2022
The jury consisting of Roberta Capello, Randal Jackson and William Strange chose the article: The persistent pay gap between Easterners and Westerners in Germany: A quarter-century after Reunification, Heather Dickey and Alessa M. Widmaier, published in Volume 100, Issue 3, 2021, Pages 605-631 Motivation: This excellent contribution tackles two relevant orders of questions: the sources of the wage gap between East and West Germany and the wage differentials within the two regions.  Unlike much prior work, the convergence process is considered up to the present in order to understand the persistence of the regional wage gap. One of the salient results of this publication is that part of the wage gap within the former East Germany remains unexplained. The conceptual framework is solid and the problem is situated beautifully in the relevant literature. The analysis is innovative and thorough, and the writing exceptionally readable. as the winner of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2021.
2021
The jury consisting of Janet Kohlhase, Dan Rickman and Jouke van Dijk chose the article: Optimizing entrepreneurial development processes for smart specialization in the European Union, by László Szerb, Raquel Ortega-Argilés, Zoltan J. Acs, and Éva Komlósi, published in Volume 99, Issue 5, October 2020, Pages 1413-1457. Motivation: Through an elegant scientific approach, the paper demonstrates how the Regional Entrepreneurship and Development Index (REDI) can be used to optimize local entrepreneurial discovery processes, in a manner which can support smart specialization strategies (S3). The analysis clearly demonstrates that without optimizing the entrepreneurial ecosystem, the industry specialization alone may not be successful because of the inability of the ecosystem to nurture high growth ventures. With its results, the paper strongly suggests that regional improvement can be achieved by reinforcing the weakest features of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem, an important suggestion for the successful implementation of a smart specialization strategy. as the winner of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2020.
2020
The jury consisting of Janet Kohlhase, Dan Rickman and Jouke van Dijk chose the article: Quality of government and regional resilience in the European Union. Evidence from the Great Recession, by Roberto Ezcurra and Vicente Rios, published in Volume 98, Issue 3, June 2019, Pages 1267-1290. Motivation: Through an elegant scientific approach, the paper examines the relationship between quality of government and regional resilience in the European Union during the Great Recession. The results show that the quality of government is an important factor when shaping the regional reaction to the crisis. The analysis clearly deonstates that higher quality of government is associated with greater regional resilience over the Great Recession. The paper gives emphasis to the role played in this context by spatial spillovers induced by the quality of government in neighbouring regions, which turn out to have an important role. as the winner of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2019.
2019
The jury consisting of Janice Madden, Carlos Azzoni and Erik Verhoef chose the articles: Institutions vs. ‘first-nature’ geography: What drives economic growth in Europe's regions?, by Tobias D. Ketterer and Andrés Rodríguez‐Pose, published in Volume 97, Issue S1, March 2018, Pages S25-S62; Motivation: Through an elegant scientific approach, the paper aims to investigate whether differences in institutional and ‘first nature’ geographical conditions have affected economic growth in Europe’s regions in the period 1995–2009. The analysis lies on a newly developed dataset including regional quality of government indicators and geographical characteristics, and arrives to the conclusion that regional institutional conditions – and, particularly, government effectiveness and the fight against corruption – play an important role in shaping regional economic growth prospects. and The continental divide? Economic exposure to Brexit in regions and countries on both sides of The Channel, by Wen Chen, Bart Los,  Philip McCann, Raquel Ortega‐Argilés, Mark Thissen and Frank van Oort, published in Volume 97, Issue 1, Special Issue: The trade, geography and regional implications of Brexit, March 2018, Pages 25-54, Motivation: The paper tackles an important topic like Brexit, and studies the degree to which EU regions and countries are exposed to negative trade‐related consequences of Brexit. We develop an index of this exposure, which incorporates all effects due to geographically fragmented production processes within the UK, the EU and beyond. The paper demonstrates that UK regions are far more exposed than regions in other countries and that this imbalance may influence the outcomes of the negotiations between the UK and the EU. as the winners of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2018.
2018
The jury consisting of Janice Madden, Carlos Azzoni and Erik Verhoef chose the article "Network proximity in the geography of research collaboration" by Laurent R. Bergé,  published in Volume 94, Issue 4, November 2017, Pages: 785-815 as the winner of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2017. Motivation: Through an elegant scientific approach, the paper replies to the questions of how network proximity influences the structure of inter-regional collaborations and how it interacts with geography. A new, theoretically grounded, measure of inter-regional network proximity is introduced. The paper achieves interesting results, revealing that inter-regional network proximity is important in determining future collaborations but its effect is mediated by geography. Most importantly, a clear substitution pattern is revealed showing that network proximity mainly benefits international collaborations. Based on the originality of the interest in the topic, and the important results achieved, the jury concluded that the paper was the best published one in 2017.
2017
The jury consisting of Janice Madden, Carlos Azzoni and Erik Verhoef chose the article "Borrowing size in networks of cities: City size, network connectivity and metropolitan functions in Europe" by Evert J. Meijers, Martijn J. Burger, Marloes M. Hoogerbrugge,  published in Volume 95, Issue 1, Marh 2016, Pages: 181-198 as the winner of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2016. Motivation: Through an elegant scientific approach, the paper interprets the contrast that exists between the current dynamics in the Western European urban system and the bourgeoning literature stressing the importance of agglomeration for economic growth. The papers argues that rise of ‘city network economies’ leads to processes of borrowed size as well as the rise of agglomeration shadows in networks of cities, and finds that network connectivity positively enhances the presence of metropolitan functions, even if local size remains the most significant determinant for most types of functions. Based on the originality of the interest in the topic, and the important results achieved, the jury concluded that the paper was the best published one in 2016.
2016
The jury consisting of Antoine Bailly, Masahisa Fujita, Roberta Capello and Erik Verhoef  chose the article "Fiscal decentralization and regional disparities: The importance of good governance" by Andreas P. Kyriacou, Leonel Muinelo-Gallo, Oriol Roca-Sagalés,  published in Volume 94, Issue 1, Marh 2015, Pages: 89-108 as the winner of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2015. Motivation: The paper deals with the measurement of the role of government quality in mediating the relationship between fiscal decentralization and regional disparities. The paper, based on evidence from a sample of 24 OECD countries over the period 1984 to 2006, provides support to the idea that fiscal decentralization has the potential to reduce income differences across regions but that this potential may not be realized because of governance problems associated with sub-national authorities. Based on the originality of the interest in the topic, and the important results achieved, the jury concluded that the paper was the best published one in 2015.
2015
The jury consisting of Antoine Bailly, Masahisa Fujita, Roberta Capello and Erik Verhoef  chose the article "The sources of the urban wage premium by worker skills: Spatial sorting or agglomeration economies?" by Martin Andersson, Johan Klaesson and Johan P Larsson published in Volume 93, Issue 4, November 2014, Pages: 727-747 as the winner of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2014. Motivation: The paper deals with the estimate of the respective importance of spatial sorting and agglomeration economies in explaining the urban wage premium for workers with different sets of skills. The paper is an innovative piece of work in the complex field of identifying the sources of differences in wages among cities. It provides empirical evidence on which type of skills are rewarded by density, and bear on the broader question of the contexts in which agglomeration is important. Based on the originality of the methodology used, and the important results achieved, the jury concluded that the paper was the best published one in 2014.
2014
The jury consisting of Masahisa Fujita, Antoine Bailly, Roberta Capello and Erik Verhoef  chose the article "Measuring the effects of European Regional Policy on economic growth: A regression discontinuity approach" by Guido Pellegrini, Flavia Terribile, Ornella Tarola, Teo Muccigrosso and Federica Busillo published in Volume 92, Issue 1, March 2013, Pages: 217-233 as the winner of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2013. Motivation: Based on the originality of the methodology used to develop a very important topic, and the important results achieved, the jury concluded unanimously that the paper was the best published one in 2013. It deals with the the assessment of the Regional Policy effects through a non-experimental comparison group method, the regression discontinuity design, and a novel regional dataset for the 1994–2006 period.The paper is an innovative piece of work in the complex field of regional policy evaluation.
2013
The jury consisting of Masahisa Fujita, Jean Paelinck, Roberta Capello and Jouke van Dijk chose the article "Social networks and regional recruitment of foreign labour: Firm recruitment methods and spatial sorting in Denmark" by Torben Dall Schmidt and Peter Sandholt Jensen published in Volume 91, Issue 4, November 2012, Pages: 795-821 as the winner of the Martin Beckmann Prize as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2012. Motivation: Based on the criteria a. originality of the topic b. theoretical foundations c. appropriate methodology and d. empirical relevance the jury concluded unanimously that your paper was the best paper. It examines the interesting and complex issue of social networks in regional recruitment and inflows of foreign labor. Using both cross-section analysis and panel data analysis in Denmark, the paper successfully shows the importance of regional social networks and spatial sorting in the recruitment and inflows of foreign labor. The paper is innovative in empirical study on a new and complex issue of international importance.
2012
The jury of the Martin Beckmann Annual Award for 2012 consisting of Jouke van Dijk, Masahisa Fujita, Jean H. Paelinck and John M. Quigley selected for the Martin Beckmann Prize 2012 as clear winner Michael Fritsch and Holger Graffor the paper "How sub-national conditions affect regional innovation systems: The case of the two Germanys", published in Volume 90 Number 2 June 2011 as the best paper published in Papers in Regional Science in 2011. Motivation: The paper by Fritsch and Graf represents an innovative empirical research on regional innovation systems RIS). In comparison of two RIS in East Germany with two RSI in West Germany, with careful study of characteristics of the inventor networks within and surrounding the four RIS, the paper convincingly demonstrates that an nalysis of RIS should account for the (sub-)national economic conditions as well as for the region's position in its spatial environment.The paper will contribute significantly to the empirical and theoretical study of RIS in the future.
2011
Trade costs in empirical New Economic Geography Maarten Bosker and Harry Garretsen Volume 89, Issue 3, August 2010   Industrial agglomeration effects in Japan: Productive efficiency, market access, and public fiscal transfer Akihiro Otsuka, Mika Goto and Toshiyuki Sueyoshi Volume 89, Issue 4, November 2010
2010
Spatial interaction modelling of cross-region R&D collaborations: Empirical evidence from the 5th EU framework programme Thomas Scherngell and Michael J. Barber Volume 88, Issue 3, August 2009
2009
Good governance, trade and agglomeration Fabien Candau Volume 87, Issue 4, November 200
2008
Labour force participation rates at the regional and national levels of the European Union: An integrated analysis J. Paul Elhorst and Annette S. Zeilstra Volume 86, Issue 4, November 2007
2007
Empirical growth models with spatial effects Bernie Fingleton and Enrique López-Bazo Volume 85, Issue 2, June 2006

1. Goal

The Award recognizes annually a regional science scholar or scholars who have demonstrated innovation and excellence in Regional Science research through the publication of a paper of outstanding merit in Papers in Regional Science.

2. The Award

2.1 The award is established to recognize and honour the outstanding career and contribution of Professor Martin Beckmann, an internationally recognized regional scientist and economist of outstanding merit, and who is a foundation fellow of the RSAI.

2.2 The Award is made annually for the best paper published in the Issues comprising an annual Volume of Papers in Regional Science.

2.3 Normally no more that one paper may be selected from an annual Volume of Papers in Regional Science, but in exceptional circumstances two (2) papers may be selected for the Award.

2.4 A paper selected for the Award must demonstrate innovation and excellent in research in regional science.

2.5 The Award carries a cash prize of the equivalent of 500 pounds sterling.

3. Jury and Process for Recommending the Award

3.1 In the first quarter of each year, the three (3) Editors of Papers in Regional Science will convene in person and/or by email and /or by teleconference to review the papers published in the Volume of Papers in Regional Science in the previous year and choose a short list of up to five (5) papers which they deem as suitable for consideration for the Martin Beckmann Annual Award for the Best Paper in Papers in Regional Science.

3.2 The Editor-in Chief of Papers in Regional Science will then send the papers for appraisal to a Jury comprising the Editor-in Chief and three (3) Fellows of RSAI chosen by the Editor-in-Chief of Papers in Regional Science in consultation with the RSAI President.

3.3 The Jury will appraise and rank the papers during February that year, and in March a meeting of the Jury will be convened by the Editor-in Chief of papers in Regional Science (meeting in person and/or by email/teleconference) in March to select the paper or papers to receive the Award.

3.4 The Editor-in-Chief of Papers in Regional Science will inform the Executive Director of RSAI of the decision of the Jury, and the Executive Director of RSAI will inform the recipient(s) of the Award.

3.5 The Awardee(s) will be invited to attend one of the Supra-Regional (NARSC, ERSA, PRSCO) meetings or the RSAI World Congress to receive the Award.

The Hirotada Kohno Award for Outstanding Service to the RSAI

Winners

 1. Goal

The Award honours and thanks a member of the RSAI who has provided long and outstanding service to the development and organization of Regional Science and to the development and management of RSAI at the International and/or Supra-Regional, including an outstanding contribution to the development of Regional Science at the Local Section level.

2. The Award

2.1 The Award is established to recognize and honour the outstanding service contribution Professor Hirotada Kohno has made to the Regional Science community, and especially his role in the development of PRSCO and the Japan Section of RSAI.

2.2 The Award recognizes outstanding service to the RSAI has incorporated service extending beyond the local level and which incorporates service of an international nature.

2.3 No more than two (2) Awards may be given in any one calendar year.

2.4 Awards will be presented at one of the three RSAI super-regional meetings/conferences (NARSC, ERSA, PRSCO) or at the RSAI World Congress.

3. Nomination Process

3.1 In the last quarter of each calendar year, the RSAI Executive Director will contact the RSAI Council, the Councils/Boards of NARSC, ERSA and PRSCO, and the Councils/Boards of all affiliated RSAI Sections, calling for written nominations of potential candidates for the Hirotada Kohno Award for Outstanding Service to the RSAI.

3.2 A nomination of a candidate for consideration for the Award must be made in writing by the President and/or Secretary and/or Executive Officer of an official body within RSAI - that is, the RSAI itself; NARSC, ERSA, PRSCO; or a Section of RSAI.

3.3 A written nomination of a candidate for consideration for the Award must include a detailed statement of the nature of the service contribution a candidate has made to RSAI. It must explain how and why that service contribution of the nominee meets the goal of the Award. It should contain testimonials from at least three persons who have held high office and/or currently hold high office in the organization within RSAI that is making the nomination. It must be demonstrated that the long and outstanding service of the nominee extends beyond the local Section of RSAI in the case where a Section of RSAI is initiating the nomination.

3.4 Nominations for the Award are to close by the end of January the following calendar year.

4. Jury and Process for Recommending Awardees

4.1 In the last quarter of each year, a four person Jury will be named by the RSAI Council to consider nominations for the H. Kohno Award for Outstanding Service to the RSAI.

4.2 The Jury shall comprise the current RSAI President, one current member of the RSAI Council, and two Past Presidents of the RSAI.

4.3 The Jury will convene (in person and/or by email/teleconference) after January in the following calendar year.

4.4 The Jury will evaluate the nominations received and passed onto it by the RSAI Executive Director. The Jury will submit its recommendation(s) to the RSAI Executive Director by the end of March in that year.

4.5 The recommendation will then be communicated by the RSAI Executive Director to the members of the RSAI Council, with Members of the Council having two weeks in which to inform the Executive Director of any dissent they may have regarding the recommendation.

4.6 If more than one-third of Council members expresses their dissent regarding a recommendation for the Award, then the recommendation will lapse.

4.7 The President and/or the Executive Director of RSAI shall inform the person(s) recommended for the Award before the end of June in that calendar year. The awardee(s) will be invited to attend one of the Supra-Regional (NARSC, ERSA, PRSCO) meetings or the RSAI World Congress to receive the Award.

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

The Regional Science Association International ( www.regionalscience.org/) and the Portuguese Association for Regional Development ( www.apdr.pt/) organized a Summer Course, with the theme Regional and Urban Economics, Theory, Analysis and Operational Models, that was held in Terceira from the 13th till the 21st of June 2011, Azores, Portugal.

The goal of the Summer Course was to provide PhD-students and young researchers with:

• advanced training in regional and urban economics,
• an opportunity to present and discuss their research,
• improved skills and knowledge to advance their careers as researchers.

The summer course took place along ten 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 other island that will complete the unique experience of the summer course.

The summer course was focused on the issue Regional and Urban Economics, Theory, Analysis and Operational Models. In a format of combined lectures and hands on training provided by top-level experts that will lectures the following themes of regional science. The Summer Course was taught in English.

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

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

There were 40 applicants and 21 students from 10 countries.

The lecturers consisted of well-known researchers from all over the world, such as Henk Folmer, Mark Partridge, Alessandra Faggian, Ping Wang, Eduardo Haddad and José Pedro Pontes.

Lecturers

Professor Alessandra Faggian

Ping Wang received a Ph.D. degree in Economics from the University of Rochester in May 1987, being affiliated with Penn State University from 1987 to 1998 and with Vanderbilt from 1999 to 2005. His is presently Seigle Family Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis and Research Associate at the NBER. His major research areas include Growth and Development, Money and Macroeconomics, Economic Theory, and Spatial/Health Economics. He is currently Vice President for Planning and Development of the East Asian Institute, Associate Editor for Economics Bulletin, Journal of Public Economic Theory, Pacific Economic Review and Regional Science and Urban Economics, and on the editorial and advisory boards for Journal of Macroeconomics, Taipei Economic Review, and American Association for Chinese Studies. His current research focuses primarily on: (i) micro-founded theory in growth and development, (ii) intertemporally and spatially redistributive policy, (iii) search and match models of labor/family, money/credit and technology, (iv) agglomeration of productive economic activities, (v) labor market consequences of addiction/substance abuse and health/human capital investment decisions, (vi) positive and normative analysis of crime, corruption, casinos and networks, and (vii) economic integration, outsourcing, venture capital and institutions.

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

• Alessandra Faggian (University of Southampton - 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.)
• Eduardo Haddad (University of S. Paulo - 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.)
• Henk Folmer (University of Groningen - 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.)
• Geoffrey Hewings (University of Illinois - 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.)
• Higano Yoshiro (University of Tsukuba - 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.)
• Jacques Poot (University of Waikato - 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.)
• José Pedro Pontes (Technical University of Lisbon - 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.)
• Mark Partridge (Ohio State University - 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.)
• Ping Wang (Washington University - 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.)
• Tomaz Dentinho (University of Azores/APDR – 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.)

Organising Committee

• Mário Mesquita (Luso-American Development Foundation)
• António Vicente (Luso-American Development Foundation - 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 (APDR - 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.)
• Tomaz Dentinho (University of Azores/ APDR – 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 Europeia
FEDER
   

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Pellentesque habitant morbi tristique senectus et netus et malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. Vestibulum tortor quam, feugiat vitae, ultricies eget, tempor sit amet, ante. Donec eu libero sit amet quam egestas semper. Aenean ultricies mi vitae est. Mauris placerat eleifend leo.

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