The University of the Basque Country

Beatriz Plaza is Professor in Urban and Regional Economics in the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Her research interests include: Economic Studies of Economic Impact of Cultural Events and Infrastructures; Economic Impact of Museums; Regional Policy; Measurement and Economic Analysis of Regional Economics; Cultural Policy as Development Policy, Entrepreneurship in Cultural and Creative Industries.

Publications
She has published papers in International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, Journal of Cultural Heritage, Tourism Management, Annals of Tourism Research, International Journal of Arts Management, European Planning Studies, Urban Affairs Review, Tourism Economics, Proceedings of the ICE-Municipal Engineer, Aslib Proceedings, or Online. She has also coordinated international and national research projects on the Economic Impact of Cultural Events and Infrastructures.

Her presentations include Akademie der Künste Berlin (2012) Kultur als Zweck oder Mittel, Stern Business School – New York University (2009) Architecture & Urban Development as Engines for Economic Growth Panel, SDA BOCCONI MAMA (2018-2020) Arts and Culture: What’s the Impact They Generate and How Can We Measure It?, Sibelius Academy/University of Arts Helsinki, and the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, to mention some.

Ibon Aranburu is lecturer in the Department of Business Administration at the Engineering School of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). Among the activities related to mentorship, it is worth mentioning his participation as tutor in the DUAL training program (University-Businesses) of the degree in Industrial Management Engineering of the UPV/EHU.

His work experience has been primarily focused on research projects and on the implementation of information systems. His main research interests include new metrics and models for Regional/Urban Economics, and big data in business management.

He has published papers in scientific journals such as, Sustainability, Information and Communication Technologies in Tourism and Bulleting of the Spanish Association of Geography.

 Maria Saiz Santos, PhD in Economics and Entrepreurship.

Professor at University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Faculty of Business and Economics.

Executive Director of GEM Basque Country, Global Entrepreneurship Monitor research member, since 2004.

Management Committee in GEM España

Chairwoman of Basque Entrepreneurship Observatory EEB-OVE. Blog.

Director of Entrepreneurship MBA: MBAe3 University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU. Blog.

Mentor in Youth Business Spain/Laboral Kutxa

Academic committee of Startinnova (Entrepreneurship Program in secondary).

D. External Relationship UPV/EHU (2007-2014). D. and founder of the Spin off programme ZITEK. Management of 3 incubators for technology-based spin offs. Definition of policies and programs to promote entrepreneurship, amongst other: Bus Emprende, Etorkizulan, Think Big and the Summer School for teachers who encourage the entrepreneurial attitude. Leader of 8 Leonardo Da Vinci Programs, Epez.

She holds 40 publications about entrepreneurship (scientific articles, books, book’s chapters and monographs). Lecturer in Master classes in 7 masters, amongst them the Master in Biomedical Research, Blockchain and Criptoeconomy or Circular Economy.

Marisol Esteban is Professor of Applied Economics at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU). She holds a M.Sc. in Regional and Urban Planning and a PhD in Economics, both obtained at the London School of Economics and Political Science, in 1983 and 1987. She has been Visiting Student at the University of California, Berkeley. She was President of the Basque Section of the Regional Science Association International (RSAI) between 2008 and 2016 and Member of the Organizing Committee of the Spanish Section of the Regional Science Association International between 2008 and 2016. She was Academic Secretary General of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) between 1998 and 2001. She was Vice-Minister of Education (Basque Government) between 2009 and 2012. She has collaborated with many public administrations and private companies in transfer research projects. She is the author of many publications on regional development and city planning, professional training policies, and evaluation of public policies.