22nd March 2012 – Kick-off meeting COST Action IS1104: The EU in the new complex geography of economic systems: models, tools and policy evaluation Proponent: Pasquale Commendatore University of Naples ‘Federico II’

Outline of the talk Background Objectives and working programme Working method Gender balance and ESRs

BACKGROUND

General backgroud Economic activities are unevenly distributed across and within nations in the EU Complex nature: economic, geographical, institutional, social, historical factors Required different levels and tools of analysis

General backgroud Geographical and territorial issues The role of institutions Financial and labour markets Multi-level interactions and networks

Von Thünen Christaller Alfred Weber A. Lösch A. Marshall H. Hotelling Hirscman-Myrdal-Harris P. Krugman Fujita-Thisse Theoretical backgroud

Methods of analysis Nonlinear dynamical systems Network analysis Agent based modeling Game theory Computational methods Spatial econometrics

OBJECTIVES AND WORKING PROGRAMME

Main Objective Provide a better understanding of the EU as a complex, multi-level evolving geographical system, taking duly into account the dynamic processes occurring within such a system and to develop improved strategies

Scientific Programme i)Economic geography modeling ii)Institutions and markets iii)Social and industrial interactions iv)Mathematical and computational methods ad tools

Working programme First year: assessment of the literature, preliminary work on theoretical models and 1st stage preparation of mathematical, computational and econometric tools; Second year: building more sophisticated models, 2nd stage preparation of mathematical, computational and econometric tools; Third year: integration of results originated from different lines of research; policy design and evaluations; Forth year: validation of results via calibration excercises and empirical analyses.

Working groups 4 working groups with separate but complementary tasks Specific objectives and different methodologies Highly connected with a continuous feedback WG1: constant input for the other WGs

Working Groups  WG1: Economic geography modeling o Objectives Multiregional economic geography modeling Scientific coordination o Methodology Macroeconomics/Geographical economics Regional science Nonlinear dynamics Network analysis

Working Groups  WG2: Institutions and markets o Objectives Effects of Multi-level policy intervention Financial and labour markets o Methodology Macroeconomics/Labour Economics/Financial Economics Regional Science Policy design and evaluation

Working Groups  WG3: Social and industrial interactions o Objectives Multi-level interactions within spatial economic systems Social and economic networks o Methodology Microeconomics/Geographical economics/Industrial Organization Network analysis Game theory Nonlinear dynamics

Working Groups  WG4: Mathematical and computational methods and tools o Objectives Mathematical elaborations Programming Data collection/econometric analyses o Methodology Mathematical economics/Mathematics Physics Computational analysis

Objectives: First Year Investigation on the issues concerning the uneven spatial distribution of economic activities across the EU Review of the most relevant literature Setting up of mathematical, computational and econometric tools Increase the collaborations between the Action participants Dissemination of results in the academic community Preliminary contacts with policy makers and stakeholders

Assessment Spatial Economics Literature (WG1, WG2, WG3) Modeling Multi-regional models (WG1) Institutional, financial and social factors (WG2, WG3) Tools (WG4) Nonlinear dynamics Networks theory Spatial Econometrics Coordination & Exchange Meetings Short Term Scientific Missions Scientific Workplan: First Year

WORKING METHOD

Project management Chairvice ChairWG Leaders and co-LeadersGrant Holder Steering Committee (C, vC, WGLs)

Kick-off meetingSC meeting Workshop Urbino WG3, 4 Meetings Website MC, WG1, WG2 meeting Conference Groningen MC or SC meeting Siena ? Conference Siena September September 19 December or January May or June First YearTime Table STSM throughout December March 22

Outputs planned for the First Year Public website Electronic communication network Events: Workshops (1) and Conferences (1 or 2) Academic publications: Scientific papers  Journal special issues (2 or 3)  1 book MC and WGs meetings report Final report

GENDER BALANCE AND EARLY STAGE RESEARCHERS

Current composition of WGs (around 30%). It has to be improved A consistent percentage of STMs should be allocated to ESRs