EPRC staff presented two papers at the International Regional Studies Association Conference 'Understanding and Shaping Regions: Spatial, Social and Economic Futures' which took place on 6-8 April in Leuven, Belgium.
Dr Sara Davies and Heidi Vironen presented a paper (co-authored with Rona Michie) 'Does innovation take place in peripheral rural regions?' which considered the distinctive nature of innovation in rural regions on the north-west periphery of Europe.
A second paper was presented at the Conference by Professor John Bachtler on the 'Ex post evaluation of the management and implementation of EU cohesion policy, 2000-06' which contained preliminary findings from a major evaluation research project being carried out by EPRC for the European Commission (DG Regio). Further details on the Conference are here.