André Torre receives the European Regional Science Association’s Regional Science Prize
On 23 March 2026, André Torre became the first French researcher to receive the European Regional Science Association’s (ERSA) Regional Science Prize.
Professor of economics at Université Paris-Saclay, research director at INRAE within the Sciences for Action and Development: Activities, Products, Territories (Sadapt - Université Paris-Saclay/INRAE/AgroParisTech) laboratory, president of the INRAE Corsica centre, and holder of the Sporck Chair in Geography at the University of Liège, André Torre received the ERSA Regional Science Prize in recognition of his research into proximity relations and territorial development processes.
The author of more than 200 scientific articles and 25 books in French, English and Italian, he is among the top 0.5% of the world’s most cited researchers across all disciplines, according to ScholarGPS.
His research focuses on territorial development dynamics and proximity relations, with a particular interest in rural areas. It examines interactions between geographical proximity, cooperation and conflict, as well as economic and social transformations within territories. His work also addresses the circular economy and conflicts over land use, highlighting the importance of local dynamics and the preservation of agricultural land.
The ERSA Regional Science Prize
The ERSA Regional Science Prize was established in 2003 to recognise outstanding scientists at European level and strengthen the association’s profile within the scientific community. It is awarded each year to a leading European scientist, on the recommendation of an independent jury. The recipient is selected following an international consultation in which researchers are invited to put forward nominations.