XLI Conference on Regional Studies at Rovira i Virgili University

On behalf of the Catalan Association of Regional Science we would like to invite you to attend the forthcoming XLIConference on Regional Studies, which will take place in Reus on 18, 19 and 20 November 2015. As at previous editions, our aim is to create a discussion forum on the subject of regional science, bringing together experts from different disciplines: economics, geography, urban planning, econometrics, sociology, politics, architecture, etc. By sharing knowledge and finding common ground we hope to achieve improvements in making crucial economic and political decisions at a local, regional, national and international level. In respect of this last point, we feel it important to make clear that our conference is also open to scientists from different countries both inside and outside the European Union.

The upcoming XLI Conference on Regional Studies will focus on innovation and geographical spillovers. The current economic climate requires individuals, companies and regions to take decisions conducive to improving competitiveness and eventually emerging from the current financial crisis. The innovation process is a complex one in which the different agents involved interact. These interactions generate a whole series of spillovers which, given the nature of this knowledge, become more intense with geographical proximity. Thus, the analysis of innovation and geographical spillovers is interesting for regional science. Therefore the title “Innovation and Geographical Spillovers: new approaches and evidence” addresses from a theoretical and empirical perspective how innovation currently constitutes the main source of technological change and social progress.

The organizing committee is made up of members of the Research Group of Industry and Territory GRITQuantitative, Urban and Regional Economics (QURE), both part of the Universitat .

The scientific committee is responsible for selecting the content of the congress. Chaired by José Villaverde Castro, it comprises experts in the different subject areas covered by the XLI Conference on Regional Studies . This committee will guarantee the quality of the studies to be presented in the various working sessions and the correct organization of the conference and discussions.

The languages of the XLI Conference on Regional Studies will be Spanish and English. It will take place at the Faculty of Business and Economics on the Bellissens Campus (Reus) of the Universitat Rovira i Virgili.