Professor Robert Wright and Mr. Kristinn Hermannsson (both Department of Economics and the Fraser of Allander Institute) travelled to the northern Icelandic city of Ísafjarðarbær last month. They were invited by Dr Peter Weiss, Director of the University Centre of the Westfjords, to speak at a conference titled: "Economic and Social Impacts of Education in Remote Regions". Professor Wright presented his findings on graduate migration flows within the UK. Kristinn Hermannsson discussed the role of mobile students in moving consumption expenditures between sub-regions in Scotland.
A range of academics and policy practitioners gave presentations on Iceland's experience. Dr Peter Weiss discussed the concepts of "brain drain" and " brain gain" within the Icelandic context, while Mr Vífill Karlsson, of the University of Akureyri, presented on the role of education and gender in rural-urban migration flows. Ms Anna Guðrún Edvarsdóttir, a PhD student at the University of Iceland and the University of the Highlands and Islands, discussed how science could serve local communities. Furthermore, Aðalsteinn Óskarsson, director of the Association of Municipalities in the Westfjords, and Mr Neil Shiran Þórisson, from Westfjords Enterprise, discussed the state of regional planning in Iceland and the economic impact of students in the Westfjords, respectively.
The presentations were well attended and triggered lively debate. In addition to the symposium, the University Centre of the Westfjords also hosted an informal knowledge-exchange dinner. This dinner was attended by the Mayor of Ísafjarðarbær, the Chairman of the Icelandic Association of Municipalities and the Chairman of the Regional Policy Group of Iceland's EU-Accession Negotiation Committee. The dinner was held at Tjöruhúsið, a much regarded harbour side seafood restaurant, which recently hosted celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal on his Iceland expedition as part of Channel 4's Fish Fight.
During his visit to Iceland, Professor Wright also delivered lectures at the Faculty of Business, University of Reykjavík and the Faculty of Economics, University of Iceland.