How can output quality be improved in the educational process? What specific inputs are relevant when educational quality is under scrutiny? A significant amount of research has been carried out in recent years around these questions. This research, in direct connection with the design of educational policies, should be taken into special consideration in the current context of budgetary restrictions. The intended aim of this workshop is double: on the one hand, to establish and share the theoretical and methodological knowledge frontier in the analysis of the determinants of educational quality. On the other hand, to have access to a diversity of applied studies in which different methodologies are used.

Original research papers that cast some light on these issues, especially those from an economic perspective, will be brought together at the Workshop. Although the focus is set on empirical papers, theoretical studies are also welcome. The accepted papers (10) will be presented in plenary sessions that will complement the two keynote speakers’ presentations.

The Barcelona Institute of Economics (IEB) will host its second workshop on Urban Economics on the 4th and 5th June 2012. The aim of the workshop is to bring together original research in the area of urban economics. Both theoretical and empirical papers are welcome. The accepted papers will be presented in parallel sessions that will be complemented with three 3 plenary sessions.

The liberalization of railway transport in Europe has paved the way to promote competition in this sector. The objective of this workshop is to analyze the role of competition in the provision of passenger and freight services according to available evidence. The main issues will be debated through the presentation of three academic papers followed by a round table with the participation of representatives of different economic agents with presence in these markets.

Decentralization of public expenditure responsibilities has spread in recent years in both developed and developing countries. However, only a part of these expenditures is funded by sub-central taxes and debt; the rest is funded by grants. Fiscal autonomy is further reduced by the fact that only a part of these taxes are under effective sub-central control; a high percentage of grants are earmarked, and debt autonomy is usually limited.