Society & EconomicsWed, 14 Jan 2026 13:09:03 +0000Society & EconomicsLund wins the John Molson MBA International Case Competition/article/lund-wins-john-molson-mba-international-case-competitionWed, 14 Jan 2026 13:09:03 +0000/article/lund-wins-john-molson-mba-international-case-competitionLund University School of Economics and Management has claimed first place at the John Molson MBA International Case Competition in Montréal — one of the world’s most prestigious international case competitions.Historically high food prices made us eat less fruit and vegetables/article/historically-high-food-prices-made-us-eat-less-fruit-and-vegetablesMon, 29 Dec 2025 05:00:06 +0000/article/historically-high-food-prices-made-us-eat-less-fruit-and-vegetablesDuring 2022-2023, food prices in Sweden rose by 25 per cent. But it wasn't just household budgets that were hit hard by the price increases.Why we accept Santa’s traditional masculinity/article/why-we-accept-santas-traditional-masculinityFri, 12 Dec 2025 15:47:11 +0000/article/why-we-accept-santas-traditional-masculinityThrough the years, most gender norms have been challenged or changed in modern society. Yet each Christmas, a strikingly similar image of Santa Claus appears in the media and in our homes. What is is about Santa Claus that makes him immune to the criticism that other male patriarchal figures have endured? AI-assisted interviews increase accuracy in diagnosing mental illness/article/ai-assisted-interviews-increase-accuracy-diagnosing-mental-illnessThu, 20 Nov 2025 14:21:28 +0000/article/ai-assisted-interviews-increase-accuracy-diagnosing-mental-illnessA new study shows that an AI assistant can conduct assessment conversations with patients with higher accuracy than the rating scales used in healthcare today. In the study, 303 participants were interviewed by the AI assistant Alba, who then suggested possible psychiatric diagnoses.A decade of the Paris Agreement brings progress and setbacks/article/decade-paris-agreement-brings-progress-and-setbacksMon, 03 Nov 2025 09:06:54 +0000/article/decade-paris-agreement-brings-progress-and-setbacksTen years have passed since the countries of the world signed the Paris Agreement. Political scientist Fariborz Zelli sums up the surprises – both positive and negative – in climate policy over the past ten years and also looks ahead.Award for environmental pioneer – has a message for academia/article/award-environmental-pioneer-has-message-academiaWed, 22 Oct 2025 09:00:07 +0000/article/award-environmental-pioneer-has-message-academiaHenrik Smith has won a major international ecology prize. He is also keen to emphasise the importance of research activity’s interaction with society.21st century flood risk is affected more by policy than climate threats/article/21st-century-flood-risk-affected-more-policy-climate-threatsThu, 02 Oct 2025 09:32:14 +0000/article/21st-century-flood-risk-affected-more-policy-climate-threatsMany might assume that we are powerless in the face of ongoing sea-level rise, and that the risk of flooding is inevitable near the coast. However, how governments choose to develop coastal regions is affecting exposure to flooding more than climate threats, according to a new study. The research analyses flood risk scenarios in China’s coastal zone from 2020 all the way until 2100.Three promising researchers awarded ERC Starting Grants /article/three-promising-researchers-awarded-erc-starting-grantsThu, 04 Sep 2025 10:01:12 +0000/article/three-promising-researchers-awarded-erc-starting-grantsInfertility, Alzheimer’s disease and decentralised infrastructure. These are the research areas of the three researchers at Lund University who are receiving a total of SEK 50 million in funding from the ERC. Bid the 1990s fare well/article/bid-1990s-fare-wellThu, 21 Aug 2025 14:25:30 +0000/article/bid-1990s-fare-wellDonald Trump’s trade wars have dominated the news cycle for quite some time. According to economist Fredrik NG Andersson, we risk becoming blind if we only focus on the short term. What is happening is not just about immediate effects but about the dawn of a new global order and the end of the world order that emerged in the 1990s after the Cold War.Gaps in vaccine information for new arrivals to Sweden during the pandemic/article/gaps-vaccine-information-new-arrivals-sweden-during-pandemicMon, 23 Jun 2025 06:00:06 +0000/article/gaps-vaccine-information-new-arrivals-sweden-during-pandemicA new study shows that during the Covid-19 pandemic, new arrivals to Sweden were excluded from information, despite good intentions.Unique museum displays war artefacts and the human side of international law /article/unique-museum-displays-war-artefacts-and-human-side-international-lawMon, 19 May 2025 07:00:08 +0000/article/unique-museum-displays-war-artefacts-and-human-side-international-lawPassports issued by fallen empires, decks of cards from the Iraq war, deceased Ukrainian students’ uncollected diplomas and much more. Ten things research tells us about the global economic elite/article/ten-things-research-tells-us-about-global-economic-eliteWed, 14 May 2025 09:21:02 +0000/article/ten-things-research-tells-us-about-global-economic-eliteWho are the people that make up the world’s economic elite – and do they differ between countries? In a new, unique database, an international team of researchers has compiled individual data from 16 countries that together account for a third of the world’s population and more than half of the world’s GDP. Ravensbrück Archive in Lund receives Memory of the World status /article/ravensbruck-archive-lund-receives-memory-world-statusFri, 11 Apr 2025 08:10:14 +0000/article/ravensbruck-archive-lund-receives-memory-world-statusTen years’ work has paid off – UNESCO has added the archive of 500 in-depth interviews with Holocaust survivors to the Memory of the World Register.The Ravensbrück Archive has been nominated as a UNESCO Memory of the World/article/ravensbruck-archive-has-been-nominated-unesco-memory-worldMon, 24 Mar 2025 14:44:10 +0000/article/ravensbruck-archive-has-been-nominated-unesco-memory-worldThe unique archive holds 500 in-depth interviews with survivors of the Ravensbrück concentration camp.A majority of Swedes are open to boycotting American products/article/majority-swedes-are-open-boycotting-american-productsWed, 19 Mar 2025 14:02:54 +0000/article/majority-swedes-are-open-boycotting-american-productsAccording to a new study from Lund University in Sweden, approximately one in five Swedes are already choosing not to buy American brands. The majority would consider boycotting American products such as Coca-Cola in favour of European or Swedish alternatives. Lund University to invest SEK 37 million in new total defence centre/article/lund-university-invest-sek-37-million-new-total-defence-centreTue, 18 Mar 2025 10:28:25 +0000/article/lund-university-invest-sek-37-million-new-total-defence-centreLund University is taking an active step to meet society’s growing needs for security and crisis management. A new centre is being established at Campus Helsingborg with the aim of strengthening education, research and external engagement in total defence and preparedness on a broad front.Five Lund University researchers to receive ERC Consolidator Grants/article/five-lund-university-researchers-receive-erc-consolidator-grantsTue, 03 Dec 2024 10:55:56 +0000/article/five-lund-university-researchers-receive-erc-consolidator-grantsPer Augustsson, Enrico Ronchi, Mikkel Brydegaard, Andreas Nord and Yafa Shanneik have each been awarded the prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant. Research offers no evidence to support tougher sentencing /article/research-offers-no-evidence-support-tougher-sentencingTue, 15 Oct 2024 12:26:24 +0000/article/research-offers-no-evidence-support-tougher-sentencingDespite harsher sentences and increased resources for the criminal justice system, research shows nothing to indicate that this leads to reduced criminality. “We wanted to problematise the notion that punishment is the best option,” says Tova Bennet, researcher in Criminal Law at Lund University. How Trump turned the elections into a wrestling match/article/how-trump-turned-elections-wrestling-matchThu, 12 Sep 2024 11:28:44 +0000/article/how-trump-turned-elections-wrestling-matchDonald Trump’s background in professional wrestling paved the way for his political career. By using the wrestling concept “kayfabe” – the art of making staged events seem real – Trump embodies the message that politics was always fake, while masquerading as authentic. This has tapped into an already existing disillusionment with the American political system. It can also explain why playing the villain isn’t necessarily a bad thing, according to Religious Studies scholar Aaron James Goldman. Socioeconomics shape children’s connection to nature more than where they live /article/socioeconomics-shape-childrens-connection-nature-more-where-they-liveFri, 23 Aug 2024 10:02:50 +0000/article/socioeconomics-shape-childrens-connection-nature-more-where-they-liveThe income and education levels of a child’s environment determine their relationship to nature, not whether they live in a city or the countryside. This is the finding of a new study conducted by researchers at Lund University, Sweden. The results run counter to the assumption that growing up in the countryside automatically increases our connection to nature, and yet the study also shows that nature close to home increases children’s well-being. Lund University retains its “Triple Crown” accreditation/article/lund-university-retains-its-triple-crown-accreditationTue, 20 Aug 2024 09:54:21 +0000/article/lund-university-retains-its-triple-crown-accreditationLund University School of Economics and Management has now received its reaccreditation through both the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) and The Association of MBAs (AMBA). Alarmingly low financial awareness among today's youth/article/alarmingly-low-financial-awareness-among-todays-youthMon, 15 Apr 2024 09:28:50 +0000/article/alarmingly-low-financial-awareness-among-todays-youthThe strong connection between financial problems and mental health issues is well known. A new study from Lund University in Sweden shows that only one in five young adults could correctly answer three basic questions about inflation, interest rates and risk diversification. At the same time, they are getting more into debt. This, the researchers argue, is a worrying development.World Happiness Report: Why we might be measuring happiness wrong/article/world-happiness-report-why-we-might-be-measuring-happiness-wrongWed, 20 Mar 2024 15:07:29 +0000/article/world-happiness-report-why-we-might-be-measuring-happiness-wrongMany of us know that Finland is steadily ranked as the happiest country in the world. The basis for this is the annual World Happiness Report, which is based on a simple question about happiness asked to people around the world. However, a new study led by Lund University in Sweden suggests that it makes people think more about power and wealth.Recommendations for young children’s screen time do more harm than good/article/recommendations-young-childrens-screen-time-do-more-harm-goodMon, 26 Feb 2024 09:17:33 +0000/article/recommendations-young-childrens-screen-time-do-more-harm-goodRecommendations from the WHO on limiting screen time for children under the age of five are almost impossible to follow, and risk causing unnecessary anxiety and stigmatisation of parents of young children. This according to a study from Lund University in Sweden on the digital media habits of young children. Instead, the researchers recommend that parents support their children by exploring digital media alongside them.The brain is 'programmed' for learning from people we like/article/brain-programmed-learning-people-weThu, 15 Feb 2024 09:42:09 +0000/article/brain-programmed-learning-people-weOur brains are "programmed" to learn more from people we like – and less from those we dislike. This has been shown by researchers in cognitive neuroscience in a series of experiments.UN climate meetings organised in a way that benefits richer, larger countries/article/un-climate-meetings-organised-way-benefits-richer-larger-countriesWed, 22 Nov 2023 15:24:43 +0000/article/un-climate-meetings-organised-way-benefits-richer-larger-countriesThe COP climate meetings are organised in a way that benefits richer and larger countries at the expense of smaller and poorer countries, according to a new study from Lund University and the University of Leeds. The study also labels the participating countries as either Radicals, Opportunists, Hypocrites or Evaders.How video games are being used by foreign actors and extremists/article/how-video-games-are-being-used-foreign-actors-and-extremistsMon, 23 Oct 2023 11:27:33 +0000/article/how-video-games-are-being-used-foreign-actors-and-extremistsVideo games are easy to exploit, and are being used by actors ranging from IS and Hizbollah for recruitment, to Russia, who use it to spread propaganda during the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. This according to a new report from Psychological Defence Research Institute at Lund University in Sweden.Increase in forest fires may damage the crucial ozone layer/article/increase-forest-fires-may-damage-crucial-ozone-layerMon, 09 Oct 2023 13:43:43 +0000/article/increase-forest-fires-may-damage-crucial-ozone-layerAll particles that reach the atmosphere cause different chemical reactions. Particles come partly from natural sources such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires, and partly from pollution and emissions. Aerosol researcher Johan Friberg studies particles at high altitudes. He fears that the global increase in forest fires could have a significant impact on the ozone layer.Innovation happens on the edges/article/innovation-happens-edges-0Fri, 15 Sep 2023 08:42:44 +0000/article/innovation-happens-edges-0The UNEXPECTED event that took place 1 June in Lund gathered unique and diverse minds and organisations, that exemplifies the dynamism of human creativity. With limitless possibilities that emerge when we break down barriers, we can embrace the unexpected.Lund University climbs even higher in Financial Times ranking/article/lund-university-climbs-even-higher-financial-times-rankingWed, 13 Sep 2023 10:00:38 +0000/article/lund-university-climbs-even-higher-financial-times-rankingLund University School of Economics and Management has done it again! The school has been ranked #44 in the world in the Financial Times' prestigious annual ranking of 100 Master’s programmes in Management. This marks a climb of 13 spots compared with last year.Four Lund researchers receive ERC Starting Grants/article/four-lund-researchers-receive-erc-starting-grantsTue, 05 Sep 2023 15:26:19 +0000/article/four-lund-researchers-receive-erc-starting-grantsFour researchers from Lund University in Sweden have received an ERC Starting Grant. The researchers and their respective fields are Filip Lenrick (industrial production), Colin Olito (evolutionary ecology), Milda Pucetaite (microbiological ecology) and Daria Davitti, (international law). The last-named is the first researcher at a department of law in Sweden to receive an ERC Grant. The past comes alive in 3D /article/past-comes-alive-3dMon, 28 Aug 2023 11:28:38 +0000/article/past-comes-alive-3dIn the past, it has been common practice to perform analyses of archaeological sites after excavations have been completed and covered again with soil. But with the revolutionary development of digital technologies, we can now identify archaeological information that was previously invisible to the naked eye.Children and biologists research biodiversity together/article/children-and-biologists-research-biodiversity-togetherWed, 23 Aug 2023 08:31:41 +0000/article/children-and-biologists-research-biodiversity-togetherChildren in preschool and primary school will now be able to learn more about insects, birds, flowers and plants, how valuable they are and how we humans can protect nature. The collaborative project ‘Natural Nations’ is introducing biodiversity in the curriculum.Researchers: Time for a new approach to ageing/article/researchers-time-new-approach-ageingTue, 25 Jul 2023 07:45:44 +0000/article/researchers-time-new-approach-ageingWe usually associate ageing with a shrinking life span, sickness and death. The difficulty of imagining ourselves as old means that we go to great lengths to avoid planning for later life. Yet researchers argue that we have everything to gain by looking at life as a journey where preparations for the future provide opportunities for living a full life – until it really is over.How to build a winning team/article/how-build-winning-teamThu, 15 Jun 2023 13:47:01 +0000/article/how-build-winning-teamWith a month to go until the Football World Cup, we ask: how do you build a winning team? Having a coach who has done their emotional homework and is good at establishing psychological security is important. Clearly defined roles and a communicative team can also increase the chances of winning gold, argues Simon Granér, researcher in sports psychology and team performance.Lund University in cooperation on sustainable development in Africa/article/lund-university-cooperation-sustainable-development-africaThu, 01 Jun 2023 13:43:46 +0000/article/lund-university-cooperation-sustainable-development-africaThe African Union’s organisation for development cooperation (AUDA-NEPAD) sent a delegation to Lund in May to strengthen and further develop cooperation concerning education for African professionals. For the second year in succession, there is a contract education course on innovation policy and innovation leadership through the Department of Economic History. In May, the African participants had their teaching sessions in Lund and were visited by Sida and AUDA-NEPAD, the co-funders of the course. New Innovation Platform Strengthens Cultural and Creative Industries/article/new-innovation-platform-strengthens-cultural-and-creative-industriesTue, 30 May 2023 12:37:05 +0000/article/new-innovation-platform-strengthens-cultural-and-creative-industriesPartners from across Europe gather in Lund on 1-2 June to launch the new European policy platform, ekip. The platform, commissioned by the EU Commission, aims to develop policy recommendations to promote innovation within the cultural and creative industries.Working remotely during the pandemic created social filter bubbles /article/working-remotely-during-pandemic-created-social-filter-bubblesMon, 15 May 2023 09:29:02 +0000/article/working-remotely-during-pandemic-created-social-filter-bubblesDeeper relationships with colleagues we were already close with, while others drifted further away. During the pandemic, spontaneous meetings decreased, and we created social filter bubbles. This is shown by a study from Lund University in Sweden that investigated how we managed our work relationships during the Covid-19 pandemic.Obstetricians more emotionally stable than most/article/obstetricians-more-emotionally-stable-mostFri, 21 Apr 2023 11:24:44 +0000/article/obstetricians-more-emotionally-stable-mostSwedish obstetricians and gynecologists are noticeably more emotionally stable and conscientious compared to the majority of the Swedish population. Based on the doctors' personalities, their decision-making styles differ in emergency situations. The research study from Lund University is now published in Scientific Reports. Become your own conductor/article/become-your-own-conductorWed, 05 Apr 2023 11:19:28 +0000/article/become-your-own-conductorMake yourself comfortable at home on the sofa and immerse yourself in a symphony orchestra’s magical take on Beethoven´s Fifth Symphony as if you were there inside the concert hall. Change camera angles, zoom, cuts, sound quality and access background information about the piece being played. Or chat with fellow members of the digital audience. Lund University Sustainability Award for Agenda 2030 goes to degrowth economist/article/lund-university-sustainability-award-agenda-2030-goes-degrowth-economistWed, 29 Mar 2023 09:07:51 +0000/article/lund-university-sustainability-award-agenda-2030-goes-degrowth-economistDoes green growth exist? Can we achieve a sustainable society with a GDP that grows year after year? Not if you ask Timothée Parrique. He is the economist who defied all the good advice and chose to research degrowth. Now his thesis has been downloaded 27,000 times, and he is a sought-after lecturer worldwide. Charges against Putin unlikely/article/charges-against-putin-unlikelyMon, 06 Mar 2023 09:07:59 +0000/article/charges-against-putin-unlikelyRussia's invasion of Ukraine was clearly illegal. Yet it is unlikely that Vladimir Putin will be held accountable. Most people agree that war is morally wrong. But what is the legal framework?Has diplomacy been exhausted?/article/has-diplomacy-been-exhaustedMon, 06 Mar 2023 09:07:28 +0000/article/has-diplomacy-been-exhaustedThe war in Ukraine has now been going on for a year. The devastation is enormous, as are the human rights abuses. At the moment, most of the talk is about arms supplies and very little about diplomacy. When will be the appropriate time for diplomatic talks? An interview with Karin Aggestam, professor of political science and expert on diplomacy and peace processes.“War is the ultimate violation of human rights”/article/war-ultimate-violation-human-rightsMon, 06 Mar 2023 09:04:21 +0000/article/war-ultimate-violation-human-rightsBy invading Ukraine, Russia is not only violating international law - it is also preventing people in Ukraine from enjoying the most basic human rights, such as the right to health care, medicine and education.“Sweden must stand up to Turkey in the conflict over values”/article/sweden-must-stand-turkey-conflict-over-valuesMon, 06 Mar 2023 09:03:36 +0000/article/sweden-must-stand-turkey-conflict-over-valuesDoes negotiating Sweden's NATO membership mean that the government is prepared to tinker with basic human rights and values? According to two political scientists, there is a risk of this happening.AI could improve mental health care/article/ai-could-improve-mental-health-careThu, 16 Feb 2023 12:32:12 +0000/article/ai-could-improve-mental-health-carePatients are often asked to rate their feelings using a rating scale, when talking to psychologists or doctors about their mental health. This is currently how depression and anxiety are diagnosed. However, a new study from Lund University in Sweden shows that allowing patients to describe their experience using their own words - is potentially viewed as more precise and preferred by the patients. The Lund researchers have developed an AI-tool that could help doctors analyze their patients’ answers. New innovation policies will support ecosystems for the Creatives /article/new-innovation-policies-will-support-ecosystems-creativesWed, 08 Feb 2023 15:11:47 +0000/article/new-innovation-policies-will-support-ecosystems-creativesLund University and partners have been awarded a grant of € 6 million from the European Commission to develop innovation policies for the cultural and creative industries. New innovation policies are needed to support ecosystems in the sector with better access to funding and incubators so that more ideas can be realised. The ekip project starts 1 June.Young scientists eager to influence policy makers on biodiversity/article/young-scientists-eager-influence-policy-makers-biodiversityWed, 08 Feb 2023 08:41:09 +0000/article/young-scientists-eager-influence-policy-makers-biodiversityWe need to prioritise nature even if there are other conflicting interests – biodiversity is essential to all of us on the planet and ultimately to our health and wellbeing. The statement comes from Maria Blasi Romero, researcher in Biodiversity and Conservation at Lund University. “I went to COP15 to learn about the processes and how to share my research with those who can make use of the results and have an impact”. Where do your online shopping returns end up? In the bin, new research finds/article/where-do-your-online-shopping-returns-end-bin-new-research-findsFri, 20 Jan 2023 09:28:17 +0000/article/where-do-your-online-shopping-returns-end-bin-new-research-findsFor e-commerce companies, it is cheaper to throw away returned items rather than selling them again. In a new study, researchers at Lund University in Sweden interviewed members of the textile and electronics industries in Europe, hoping to better understand a problem that is snowballing, yet has been the subject of little research. Expert on American patriotism and welfare researcher awarded honorary doctorates/article/expert-american-patriotism-and-welfare-researcher-awarded-honorary-doctoratesThu, 22 Dec 2022 11:18:01 +0000/article/expert-american-patriotism-and-welfare-researcher-awarded-honorary-doctoratesProfessor of Social Work Mimi Abramovitz and Professor of Political Psychology Leonie Huddy have been awarded honorary doctorates by the Faculty of Social Sciences at Lund University. They will receive their honorary doctorates at the doctoral degree conferment ceremony on 26 May at Lund Cathedral.Gene therapies raise difficult legal and ethical questions/article/gene-therapies-raise-difficult-legal-and-ethical-questionsThu, 22 Dec 2022 09:45:01 +0000/article/gene-therapies-raise-difficult-legal-and-ethical-questionsNew advanced therapies can alleviate or cure chronic diseases. But medical progress raises the question of how rights should be protected and balanced, according to Jessica Almqvist, professor in international law and human rights, who conducts research on gene therapies.