Chris Minns

Professor Chris Minns is a leading scholar in Economic History at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), specializing in North American economic history, labour markets, and intergenerational mobility. He holds the position of Professor of Economic History and serves as Deputy Head (Research) in the Department of Economic History at LSE. His research focuses on migration patterns, occupational mobility, and price history in Canada and the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Current research projects include studying intergenerational economic mobility in Canada since 1870 and analyzing the impact of immigration on US and Canadian labour markets between 1870 and 1940. Professor Minns teaches EH304: The Economic History of North America, tracing developments from colonial times to the Cold War. He has published extensively on topics such as regional economic disparities, migrant sorting, and guild systems in pre-industrial Europe.

His work frequently employs historical census data, emphasizing methodological rigor in linking records and analyzing biases. Professor Minns’ research has been featured in peer-reviewed journals and book reviews, contributing to debates on economic policy and historical demography. He is fluent in English and French and maintains an active presence on social media, including Twitter (@Chris__Minns).

Professional activities include reviewing for academic publications and engaging in public discourse on topics like Brexit’s implications for immigration policy. His interdisciplinary approach bridges economic history with modern policy analysis, offering insights into long-term structural changes in labour markets and regional development.