Associate professor in Economic History. Research interests: public and private insurance, historical morbidity patterns and historical alcohol regulations.
I am a senior lecturer in gender studies and an associate professor in economic history.
My research interests center on understanding how historical and structural factors shape health and societal outcomes across time. I am particularly interested in exploring the interplay between early-life conditions, health, and social policies.
One area of focus is the long-term impact of childhood living conditions on well-being and longevity in adulthood. Using historical data, such as a 1929/30 socio-medical survey of schoolchildren in northern Sweden, we examine whether improved and more equitable living conditions in adulthood can mitigate early-life disadvantages or if these disadvantages accumulate over the life course. Our work also addresses the role of geographic disparities in shaping health outcomes linked to historical living conditions.
Another key interest is the broader health impacts of pandemics, particularly the Spanish flu. we investigate the experiences of survivors, focusing on who contracted the illness, the duration of their sickness, and their risks of developing complications. By analyzing previously untapped health insurance records, we aim to uncover both the short- and long-term health consequences of pandemic exposure, contributing to a deeper understanding of its effects on public health.
Lastly, I am interesed in the societal impacts of alcohol regulations, focusing on their effects on consumption, health, crime, and poverty. We examine the causal relationship between local restrictions and societal outcomes, providing insights into the effectiveness of these policies in reducing societal costs. By analyzing alcohol policies in early 20th-century Sweden, we aim to contribute to long-standing debates on the role of regulation in shaping public health and social well-being.
Through these projects, the ambition is to illuminate how historical conditions and policies influence health and society over time, with a focus on addressing inequalities and informing future policy development.
My teaching in graduate and undergradute level spans between gender equality and the welfare state, quantitative methodology and research design.