The Regional Studies Association Research Network on “Geographical Localisation, intersectoral reallocation of labour and unemployment differentials” (GLUNLAB) invites papers and sessions to be considered for its second workshop entitled “Geographical Localization and Economic Activity”.  Conference themes are listed below, however, quality papers in all areas in relation to the overarching theme of the workshop are welcome.

• Intersectoral Reallocation of Labour
• Unemployment Differentials
• Migration Flows between European states
• Spatial factors of Job Creation and Destruction
• Industrial Geographical Localization
• Regional well-being, job satisfaction, subjective happiness and economic growth
• Spatial Divisions of Unemployment, Poverty and Wealth

Abstracts of approximately 500 words should be submitted by e-mail to the following address as soon as possible and by 31st of March 2009 at the very latest


Authors will be notified of the workshop scientific committee's decision in the first week of April 2009.

Student Bursaries: PhD students are particularly encouraged to present their work. Limited financial assistance for young researchers is available.



Keynote speakers:
Gerald A. Carlino (Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia)
Giles Duranton (University of Toronto and Rimini Centre of Economic Analysis)


Aims of the Research Network

The workshop will investigate and explain social and spatial inequalities and regional differentials in unemployment and migration flows between European states. The essence of GLUN LAB is to link the impact of job reallocations with the processes of regional specialization and localization. In this context, labour market flows will be investigated within an equilibrium spatial configuration of economic activities. Job flows will be interpreted as the outcome of regional industrial structures as characterized by geographical agglomeration and specialiasation. The overall plan of the GLUN LAB research network is to combine aspects of Economic Geography with the analysis of the aggregate effects of job reallocation (the sectoral shifts hypothesis – SSH - and the job creation and destruction spatial factors - JCD). In addition, the workshop will also consider the relationships between unemployment other socio-economic indicators and signs of social progress as well its linkages to the spatial divisions of poverty and wealth.

Organising and Scientific Committee:
Dr Dimitris Ballas
Dr Silvia Grandi
Dr Vasilis Monastiriotis
Dr Maurizio Mussoni
Dr Theodore Panagiotidis
Prof Gianluigi Pelloni