Cem Ertur
Cem Ertur, Professor of Economics at the LEO (Laboratoire d’Economie d’Orléans), left us after a long illness, leaving his family and all those who knew him to face the void left by his death.
Cem’s research focused on econometrics of interactions, also known as spatial econometrics. However, Cem was opposed to the term ‘spatial econometrics’, which he felt was too restrictive and referred to modelling solely on geo-localised data. He was largely right: the term ‘interaction econometrics’ in fact allows to better reflect the richness of these tools which can be applied in fields where the dependencies between observations can be due to social, cultural, economic factors, etc.
In the field of interaction econometrics, Cem’s research focused on two main themes, namely structural econometrics and methodology. Cem has always considered it fundamental to be able to derive interaction econometric models from economic theory. He thus worked on the integration of the interactive dimension between countries in neoclassical growth models at first and then in endogenous growth models. This inclusion of interactions in the endogenous growth model also makes it possible to compare the relative relevance of the two models for modelling growth. He has also worked on the theoretical consideration of interactions in international trade models and has shown the existence of an interaction matrix (a matrix modelling the pattern of links between observations, also known as a spatial weighting matrix) derived directly from economic theory.
Furthermore, Cem Ertur has largely contributed to the methodological development of interaction econometrics. Thus, he has worked on the development of statistics allowing to distinguish the different spatial specifications and on the economic interpretation of models taking into account simultaneously the temporal autocorrelation, the contemporary interactions and the spatio-temporal diffusion of the studied economic phenomena. Recently, Cem has focused his research on the interaction matrix, the cornerstone of interaction econometrics models. More specifically, he has been interested in how to select the most relevant interaction matrix to model the links between observations and in empirically estimating a model where the interaction matrix is not exogenous to the problem studied.
Les travaux de Cem Ertur ont trouvé un important écho dans la communauté académique internationale, notamment du fait de la renommée et du caractère généraliste des revues dans lesquelles les articles de Cem ont été publiés (Journal of Economic Growth, Journal of Applied Econometrics, etc.).
Cem Ertur has been a founding member of the International Workshop in Spatial Econometrics and Statistics and organized it several times. Cem has always been convinced by the importance of knowledge transmission, which motivates a prize in his memory dedicated to the work of a young researcher.
Cem Ertur Prize
Formal goals
The Cem Ertur Prize aims to recognize and honor outstanding research by a junior researcher linked to spatial econometrics.Knowledge transmission was at the heart of Cem Ertur’s interests, which motivates a prize to honor him dedicated to young researchers.
Criteria
Contributions eligible for the prize can be theoretical or empirical.
All contributions to the prize will be carefully reviewed by senior researchers in the field. Criteria considered for the prize are the following:
- Originality of the paper;
- Contribution to the literature;
- Potential for the paper to open new research agenda;
- Quality of writing.
Each applicant will receive a written report assessing the merits of the contribution with the aim of helping him/her to improve the paper.
Selection and presentation
A special session dedicated to the Cem Ertur prize will be organized in the International Workshop on Spatial Econometrics and Statistics, which is held each year in France, where selected applicants will present their contributions. They will benefit from an extended time for presentation and a thorough discussion by a senior researcher.
The selection of the papers to be presented is made by a committee composed of the organizers of previous editions of the workshop. This committee will rank contributions based on referee reports and their own reading of the papers.
Finally, the prizewinner will be announced during the conference dinner.
Rules
The Cem Ertur price is targeted to PhD students and young scholars in academic position for less than 5 years. For co-authored papers, this rule applies to all authors.
Prize
The Cem Ertur prizewinner will receive 500 euros.
Application
To apply to the Cem Ertur Prize, the applicant should follow the submission guidelines of the International Workshop in Spatial Econometrics and Statistics. We however require the applicant to submit the full paper instead of a long abstract.
Past laureates
Elena Semerikova (2017)
Abhimanyu Gupta (2018)
Jaune Vaitkeviciute (2019)
Alexis Noir-Luhalwe and Ismaeel Tharwaat (2021)
Adhen Benlahlou (2022)
Alper Acar (2023)