Profilseminar Innovation Economics

Modul number: 5209-301

Title: " Regional Innovation Patterns: Analysing Patent Activity in European Regions "

Responsible person: Lennart Fischer 

Innovation is a key driver of economic development, shaping the competitiveness and resilience of regions. Identifying regions with strong innovation performance or those facing challenges can provide valuable perspectives for regional economic strategies. In this seminar, students will examine regional disparities in innovation, the role of economic structures and potential factors influencing technological development.

Students will use patent data to analyse the geographical distribution of innovation in European regions and relate it to the economic context. We will discuss the analytical tools that can be applied to patent data, the limitations of patent data and the insights that patents can provide into regional innovation performance and specialisation. Students will write a seminar paper based on their empirical findings and present it in class.

Self-study materials will be available from 28.09.2026 and must be completed prior to the first session.

Session 1: 21.10.2026, 10:00 – 12:00, Room S14

Session 2: 28.10.2026, 10:00 – 12:00, Room S14

Session 3: 13.01.2027, 10:00 – 12:00, Room S14

If you are interested in participating in this seminar, please send an email to Lennart Fischer by 02 October 2026 with the subject ‘Bachelor Seminar 2026/27’ – [your name] – [your student number]’ covering the following information:

·        Have you ever attended a lecture/course/seminar at our chair? If so, which one?

·        What are your expectations concerning this seminar?

·        Have you already participated in a seminar course? If so, how was the result?

·        Did you complete our ILIAS E-learning course on scientific writing?

·        Have you ever used R? If so, in which context?

You will receive further information on the self-study phase and the meetings after you are registered. You will get information about the procedures and topic allocation in the self-study phase and the sessions. Please note that the completion of our ILIAS E-learning course "Scientific Writing/ Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten (ab WS2022)" is a prerequisite to be able to join our seminars.