معرفی
Lars Magnusson is a distinguished Full Professor of Economic History at Uppsala University, where he has held his position since 1992. He has served in significant leadership roles including Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences (2012-2017) and Vice-Rector of Uppsala University (2005-2008). His academic influence extends internationally through visiting positions at prestigious institutions such as the École des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris and the European University Institute in Florence.
His scholarly work spans multiple interconnected fields of economic and social history. Magnusson has made significant contributions to the study of mercantilism, with particular focus on whether it remains a useful conceptual framework for understanding historical economic systems. His research on the long-term development of welfare state societies examines how Nordic models, particularly Sweden's, have evolved and responded to economic crises. He has also conducted extensive work on agricultural and industrial history, with specific analyses of sectors like the cutlery industry during industrialization. His interest in working life studies connects to broader investigations of social and economic history, while his intellectual history work explores the evolution of economic and social thought through figures like Malthus and concepts like "envy and emulation."
The trends in his recent publications reveal a consistent focus on historical political economy with particular attention to Scandinavian contexts. His scholarly output demonstrates a methodological approach that combines deep historical analysis with contemporary economic theory, often examining how historical economic systems inform current policy debates. While maintaining a strong focus on Swedish and Nordic economic history, his work consistently places these national cases within broader European and global contexts. The recurring themes across his publications include the evolution of economic thought, the relationship between state intervention and market forces, and the historical development of institutional frameworks that shape economic outcomes.
His major scholarly recognitions include:
- Full member of Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
- Full member of Royal Society of Sciences, Uppsala
- Chair of the Board of the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (2004-2016)
- 2006 Honorary Doctor of Kyoto University
- Member of the Committee for the Nobel Prize in Economics (2005-2009)
- 2019 Full member of the Board of the Swedish Research Council
- Research Fellow of the Max Planck Institute for History (multiple occasions)
While specific doctoral students aren't listed in the available information, Professor Magnusson's extensive editorial roles suggest significant mentorship activities. He has served as Editor of "Swedish Historical Journal" (1988-1994), co-Editor of "Economic and Industrial Democracy" (2000-present), and co-Editor of "Scandinavian Economic History Review" (2008-2012). His leadership positions, including Research Director at the National Institute for Working Life (1996-2005) and Chairman of SALTSA (1997-2007), indicate substantial grant management experience directing large-scale research initiatives focused on working life. His involvement with organizations like MISTRA and the Wallenberg Academy Fellows programme further demonstrates his role in shaping research funding priorities in Sweden.
Professor Magnusson has been instrumental in establishing and leading several significant research entities. Most notably, he served as Chairman of the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (SCAS) from 2004 to 2016, an institution that brings together leading international scholars for advanced interdisciplinary research. His work with SALTSA (1997-2007) created a collaborative framework between labor organizations (LO, TCO, SACO) and research institutions focused on working life studies. His international collaborations, particularly through repeated visiting positions at EHESS in Paris and EUI in Florence, have fostered transnational research networks in economic and social history.
