Call for papers: 5th Conference on the Regulation of Infrastructures (abstracts submission by 31 January 2016)
The call for abstracts for the 5th Conference on the Regulation of Infrastructures is now open. Deadline: 31 January 2016
Overview
The de- and re-regulation of the different network industries is an ongoing process at national and global levels. As this process unfolds, ever new phenomena emerge. Yet, the question about the right mixture between market, economic, technical and social regulation remains wide open in all the network industries.
The question becomes even more challenging when looking at recent infrastructure development as triggered by their pervasive digitalization. Not only are the different infrastructures transformed by their digitalization – e.g., digital transport, smart energy, etc. – calling for new approaches to regulating them, but moreover does digitalization become a phenomenon in its own right. The European Commission actually sees digitalization as a means to accelerate integration, to tear down regulatory walls and to move from 28 national markets to a single one. Consequently, digitalization and especially its implications in terms of privacy and security also require regulatory attention.
Unique Conference Format
Following the successful experience of the 4th edition, the format of the Florence Conference on the Regulation of Infrastructures is unique:
- each presenter has 45’, which includes 20’ of presentation, 10’ of qualified feedback and 15’ of discussion with the audience (there are only 2 papers per session, guaranteeing high quality);
- feedback will be given by senior professors associated with the Florence School of Regulation, who are specifically knowledgeable about the topic at hand;
- papers that will be retained for publication will receive additional feedback beyond the Conference.
This 5th Florence Conference on the Regulation of Infrastructures aims at taking stock of the major challenges infrastructure regulation is currently facing in the age of their rapid digitalization. It does so by:
- looking at the main infrastructure sectors, notably telecommunications, postal services, electricity, gas, railways, air transport, urban public transport, as well as water distribution and sanitation; growing intermodality among infrastructures, notably as a result of their digitalization;
- looking at infrastructure and their regulation from various disciplinary approaches, notably engineering, economics, law and political science along withinterdisciplinary approachesare particularly encouraged; and
- linking an academic approach with practical relevance; policy relevantresearch papers are again particularly encouraged.
We especially welcome papers that link technology and institutions in more than one infrastructure sector, as to allow comparisons and highlight cross-sectoral trends. Interested junior academics – advanced PhD students, PostDocs and Assistant Professors – along with academically minded practitioners are particularly encouraged to participate.
Outstanding papers will have the chance to be published in the dedicated issue of the Network Industries Quarterly (Issue 18, Vol 3, September 2016). Furthermore, building on the feedbacks and comments received at the Conference, selected authors will be invited to submit their papers for a Special Issue of Utilities Policy.
Guidelines for the abstract: 600-1000 words, structured as follows:
- title of the paper & keywords;
- name of the author(s) and full address of the corresponding author;
- the aim and methodology of the paper;
- results obtained or expected.
Important Dates and Contacts
- Submission of the abstract until January 31st 2016 (download the guidelines here) using the online form;
- Notification of acceptance by February 22nd 2016;
- Submission of the full paper by May 24th 2016.
- For further information contact Ms Nadia Bert: Transport@eui.euor visit the dedicated website http://florence-school.eu/event/5cri/.
Scientific Committee
- Prof Matthias Finger (Director of the Transport Area of FSR)
- Prof Jean-Michel Glachant (Director of the Energy&Climate Area of FSR)
- Prof Leigh Hancher (FSR Energy&Climate – Director for Energy Law and Policy)
- Prof Xavier Labandeira (FSR Energy&Climate – Director for Climate)
- Prof Pier Luigi Parcu (Director of the Communications and Media Area of FSR)
- Prof Ignacio Pérez Arriaga (FSR Energy&Climate – Director for Energy Training)
- Prof Stéphane Saussier (Director of the Water Area of FSR)
