The mission of the EERC Research Network is to support the development of modern social, in particular – economic, science and economic research throughout the CIS. Toward that end, the EERC Research Network invests in virtual research infrastructure – access to literature and data, to peers, and to experienced scholars; develops research skills through targeted methodological training; organizes research competitions, international workshops, and conferences which help build a research culture based on peer review and open professional exchange.

Since 1996, the Network has held 29 research competitions and supported more than 430 research projects; more than 1400 research teams from most CIS countries have taken part in the EERC research workshops, summer schools, and methodological seminars. Since July 2007, the EERC Research Network and its Research Competition is based in Kyiv and organized by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE).

2009-2011: Inter-regional project on ‘Cities’ by the CIS and the CEE network

The project on cities is a cooperation effort between the CIS and CEE networks, focusing on urban policies and development in Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of independent states within the last two decades. The investigated topics range from existence of multiple equilibria in the system of cities, to drivers of urban economic growth, to real estate risk premium. The background report summarizes recent research on urban development in transition.

The network is supported by the Global Development Network and the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The EERC Network’s International Advisory Board consists of

• Richard Ericson (East Carolina University, Greenville), Chair
• John Earle (Central European University and Upjohn Institute)
• Wojciech W. Charemza (The University of Leicester)
• Viktor Polterovich (Central Mathematics and Economics Institute, RAS, Moscow)
• Vladimir Popov (Carleton University, Ottawa; New Economic School, Moscow)
• Mark Schaffer (Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh)
• Shlomo Weber (Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas)
• James Leitzel (University of Chicago, Chicago)
• Diana Weinhold (London School of Economics, London)
• Roy Gardner (Indiana University, Bloomington)
• Michael Alexeev (Indiana University, Bloomington)

Experts involved in mentoring the network’s grantees include:

• Michael Beenstock (Hebrew University)
• Wojtek Charemza (University of Leicester)
• Tom Coupe (Kyiv School of Economics and Kyiv Economics Institute)
• John Earle (Upjohn Institute and Central European University)
• Richard Ericson (East Carolina University)
• Randall K. Filer (City University, New York and CERGE-EI)
• Roy Gardner (Indiana University and Kyiv School of Economics)
• Gary Krueger (Macalester College)
• James Leitzel (University of Chicago)
• Russell Pittman (US Department of Justice)
• Victor Polterovich (CEMI and New Economic School)
• Vladimir Popov (Carleton University and New Economic School)
• Marc Schaffer (Heriot Watt University)
• Oleksandr Skiba (Kansas University)
• David Tarr (consultant for World Bank)
• Shlomo Weber (Southern Methodist University and NES)
• Victor Gisnburgh (ECORE, Brussels)
• Oleksiy Kryvtsov (Bank of Canada)
• Michael Alexeev (Indiana University, Bloomington)
• Diana Weinhold (London School of Economics)
• Irina Murtazashvilli (University of Pittsburgh)
• Denys Nizalov (Kiev School of Economics)
• Olena Nizalova (Kiev School of Economics)
• Oleksandr Shepotylo (Kiev School of Economics)