Seminar Named after Prominent SPP Visiting Professor

Jean H.P. Paelinck, a distinguished visiting professor who has come to SPP many times since 1996, continues to receive attention for his innovative work in spatial econometrics, on which he has worked since the sixties.

According to Paelinck, “Spatial econometrics can be said to complement general econometrics with ‘spatial’ (i.e. geographical) elements (i.e. locations, distances,...), econometrics being the discipline that combines economics, mathematics and mathematical statistics to test economic theories, at the same time estimating the values of the parameters of the relevant equations.”

In honor of Paelinck’s continued dedication to this field, his colleagues from the University of Zaragoza in Spain decided to create a seminar in his honor. The first seminar took place on October 22-23, 2004, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the 1979 book by Paelinck and Leo H. Klaassen, "Spatial Econometrics,” the first volume ever published with that title. The seminar brought together various scholars in the field to both honor Paelinck and to present new research.

Paelinck, emeritus professor of the Rotterdam School of Economics, Erasmus University, was also the keynote speaker. “I introduced the seminar on the fundamentals of spatial econometrics,” he said. In addition, during the two-day event, some 15 papers were presented by well-known European specialists of spatial econometrics. Later, the papers were published in the December 2004 issue of the journal “Estudios de Economía Aplicada.”

During another event (the February 2005 WRSA Meetings at San Diego), Paelinck’s colleagues presented him with a book, written in his honor. “I was surprised, but grateful, on that unexpected occurrence, and felt honored by the statement in the dedication that I had ‘remained a strong and active force behind the growth of the field throughout the years. The book, ‘Advances in Spatial Econometrics,’ (edited by L. Anselin, R.J.G.M. Florax and S.J. Rey) comprises 20 articles by no less than 39 internationally renowned scholars in the field of spatial econometrics,” said Paelinck, who will make his seventh visit to SPP in the fall semester.

Paelinck recently introduced an international workshop on spatial econometrics at the Kiel Institute of World Economics (Kiel, Germany; April 8-9, 2005). The title of his keynote presentation was “Spatial Econometrics: History, State-of-the-art and Challenges Ahead”.

Paelinck said that his trips to SPP have allowed him to broaden his research. “What I appreciate most is the possibility of interdisciplinary activities, leading up to joint publications with SPP colleagues,” he said.