Triggered star formation is not a new idea - it's been around for at least the last 30 years. Although it has never disappeared from the scene, it seems to be enjoying something of a renaissance in recent years, in both observational and theoretical studies. Here we give a brief discussion of the background of triggered star formation, describe some of our own recent observational efforts in this regard, and briefly mention some initial conclusions that may be drawn.

• STAN KURTZ(Centro de Radioastronomia y Astrofisica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Antigua Carretera a Pátzcuaro) Corresponding Author