A deep understanding of the past is essential for interpreting the complex challenges of the present—whether this concern inequality, sustainability, or wellbeing. At the Unit for Economic History, our research contributes to this understanding by examining the long-term development of societies through an economic lens.
Read about research projects at the Unit of Economic History.
See the latest publications from our researchers.
Students learn to solve economic-historical research tasks and contribute to the development of new knowledge.
Research Profile – Economic History
Our work investigates how resources have been created, utilised, and distributed across time, offering critical insights into the forces that have shaped economic and social structures throughout history. We explore how individuals, households, enterprises, and states have navigated the allocation of scarce resources across different historical contexts. Our research addresses a wide range of themes, such as economic development and institutional change, human well-being and social welfare, demography and livelihood, environmental change and sustainability, gender and inequality. These topics are studied alongside classical themes in economic history, with a sustained focus on the long-term dynamics of resource creation, use, and distribution.
International Collaboration and Scholarly Engagement
Researchers at the Unit are actively involved in international academic networks and collaborative research initiatives. Our staff regularly publish in leading peer-reviewed journals, academic volumes, and public-facing media, contributing both to scholarly discourse and to broader societal understanding.
