In recent years, Lund University has been successful in obtaining large research grants. Over SEK 4 billion is awarded annually to research at eight faculties, which gives Lund University one of the strongest and broadest ranges of research in Sweden.
The successes can largely be attributed to the interdisciplinary research that is carried out and the diversity that the University has to offer.
Cross-boundary collaboration on regional, national and global levels can help researchers to find solutions to the major issues of our time and of the future. Interdisciplinary collaborations at the University have grown in line with the need to meet increasingly complex problems facing society.
In the Research series "Up Close", Lund University presents a feature on a particular research area. The features include articles about latest developments within the specific research area.
Fredrik Andersson Dean of School of Economics and Management
Lund is located at latitude 55°, south Sweden. Part of a vibrant region and home to one of Europe’s strongest research communities, it provides a good viewpoint over the changing landscape of today. With the ongoing financial crisis in Europe and the United States, the Arab Spring, and the growing importance of social media, 2011 was a year of political, economic and social upheaval. Against this background, we are facing considerable challenges. The education, research and collaboration undertaken at LUSEM (Lund University School of Economics and Management) must remain competitive in a constantly changing world. We have to persistently innovate and re-evaluate the way we work. At the same time, Lund University – now almost 350 years old – combines tradition with innovation, proving just how strong the academic tradition is. For the second consecutive year, LUSEM offers the most popular Master’s programme in Sweden. We’re also prominent in creating a supportive environment for research, and in maintaining close contact with business and the wider society.
Earlier exaggerated optimism on the state of the world, a dysfunctional political system in the USA and a halffinished monetary union without functioning crisis mechanisms in Europe – these are three causes of the current economic situation, in the view of Klas Eklund. He believes that the academic discipline of economics has become far too specialised. Read the full article.
One major global question is why some countries are rich and others are poor. In November, the Swedish Research Council granted SEK 6 million in direct government funding to a project at LUSEM investigating the effects of colonialism on the ability of developing countrie to create long-term growth. Christer Gunnarsson is a professor at the Department of Economic History, the world’s largest in the field. He leads the project that will study how colonial institutions have affected long-term economic growth in developing countries. Read the full article
In December, the Ragnar Söderberg Foundation granted SEK 9.1 million to a research team at LUSEM to examine the trend of sophistication that has transformed the regular Swede into a connoisseur and everyday products such as water, salt and bread into lifestyle markers. The research project will investigate, among other things, what pushes certain routine products to embark on the lucrative journey from low to high engagement items. The results could help marketers transform water into wine. Read the full article.
When Vietnam was going to train public sector controller and officials for management of science, technology and public economics they chose LUSEM. Two courses were arranged during the year, commissioned by the Vietnamese government with the aim of helping these future leaders meet some of the country’s biggest challenges. Read the full article.
Africa’s growth is increasing but they are still struggling to feed their population. Björn Holmquist from the Department of Statistics participated in the research project The Millennium Goals and the African Food Crisis, which was financed by the Swedish Research Council. The focus is on the UN Millennium Development Goal of halving world hunger by 2015. Read the full article.
Since 2007, an international Master´s programme in entrepreneurship has been offered at Lund University. It has become the most sought after entrepreneurship programme in Sweden as well as one of the Master´s programmes with the most applicants in the country.
Five student voices - four countries
By studying how lobbyists try to influence GMO rules, a thesis from the Lund University School of Economics and Management in Sweden provides an insight into decisions that sooner or later end up on your kitchen table. Read the full article.
Bodil Malmström
Research Communicator
Research Services
Bodil.Malmstrom@fs.lu.se
Tel: +46 (0)46 222 7167
