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Jonas Nordin serves as Professor of Book and Library History and Assistant Head of Department with responsibility for research and doctoral education at Lund University's Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences, where he also manages the Division of Book History. His academic career spans multiple prestigious institutions, including Stockholm University where he holds an associate professorship in history, and the Royal Library/The National Library of Sweden where he worked from 2007-2018.
Nordin earned his PhD in history from Stockholm University, establishing the foundation for his specialized expertise in early modern European history. His educational trajectory has uniquely positioned him to examine the complex interplay between political structures, cultural production, and knowledge dissemination during transformative historical periods.
Nordin's research program centers on the critical intersection of book history, library history, and political history during the 17th and 18th centuries, with particular emphasis on Scandinavian contexts. His groundbreaking work on Sweden's Freedom of the Press Ordinance of 1766 has established him as a leading authority on early press freedom developments. Nordin frequently employs a methodological approach that combines political history with cultural history, revealing how visual representations, censorship mechanisms, and intellectual networks shaped national identity formation. His extensive scholarship on Erik Dahlbergh's Suecia antiqua et hodierna demonstrates his commitment to reevaluating historical works beyond simplistic characterizations of propaganda, instead revealing their complex historical significance.
Analysis of Nordin's recent scholarly output reveals a consistent interdisciplinary focus spanning history, law, political science, and cultural studies. His publications demonstrate remarkable depth in examining the historical development of freedom of expression, particularly through multiple angles on Sweden's pioneering 1766 legislation. A distinctive feature of his work is the seamless integration of visual culture analysis with political history, as evidenced by his studies of Dahlbergh's topographical works and private library collections. Nordin's research also extends to scholarly networks of the Linnaean era and the complex relationship between Sweden and Finland before 1809, showcasing his ability to connect micro-historical studies with broader historical narratives.
- Principal investigator for Royal Library's Suecia antiqua et hodierna digitization project (2011-2016)
- Author of successful UNESCO World Heritage nomination for Swedish Freedom of the Press Ordinance (2023 designation)
- President of the Swedish Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies
- Co-editor of significant volumes including 'Media and Mediation in the Eighteenth Century' and 'The Baltic Battle of Books'
As Manager of Research and Research Education, Nordin oversees doctoral programs and research activities within his department. His teaching portfolio includes ABMM50 (Library and Information Studies), BBHK02 (Book History), ETNK02 (Ethnology), ILHK03 (History of Ideas), and MUVK02 (Musicology). Beyond his institutional responsibilities, Nordin actively engages with public history through media appearances, including participation in SVT's 'History of Sweden' series and contributions to digital archives like the 'Visiteurs de Versailles' database.
Nordin's scholarly approach bridges traditional historical methods with digital humanities techniques, exemplified by his creation of a seamless digital wallpaper of all Suecia antiqua et hodierna images. His current research directions suggest continued exploration of media and mediation in the eighteenth century, with potential expansion into innovative digital approaches to historical materials and deeper examination of connections between visual culture, political power, and intellectual networks.
