Four new professors inaugurated

The common thread in Mikael Elinder’s research is the extent to which people act in their own interests or are driven by concern for others.. For example, he has studied the degree to which self-interest influences how people vote in political elections, whether the principle of “women and children first” is upheld in shipwrecks, and who chooses to reduce their electricity consumption even when electricity is free. He has also examined why some leave behind large inheritances and why few bequeath anything to charity.

– In some contexts, self-interest has been the driving force that best explains observed behaviours, while the opposite has been true in other situations. Hopefully, further studies will provide better knowledge about the causes and why some seem to act more selflessly than others, says Mikael Elinder.

Niklas Bengtsson’s research repeatedly returns to themes concerning the role of civil society in the economy, where actors operate at the interface of the state and the market. This includes, for example, aid organisations and religious communities. A central question has been how economic incentives interact with non-profit values and how this affects decisions and behaviours.

Recently, his research has focused more on university-related issues, such as how students’ views on economic, social and political matters are shaped during their time in higher education.

– My research has a strong empirical focus. A method I often use is field experiments, that is, experiments in real-world settings, to be able to say something certain about what causes what, without compromising the relevance of the context,” says Niklas Bengtsson.

Increased international migration has meant that a large part of the population in Sweden and other countries has roots in different parts of the world. Olof Åslund’s research concerns economic and social integration, political decisions, economic conditions and other factors that influence individuals and societies.

Labour market entry plays a major role for individuals and families, but also for public finances and the economy at large. Using extensive register data, he has studied the importance of language skills, education and labour market policy.

– People with similar backgrounds often live and work together. Segregation is partly due to circumstances and resources, but also because people rely on contacts. In the short term, this can increase the chances of employment, but in the long term it can be limiting. However, the most decisive factors are the overall economic conditions rather than origin, says Olof Åslund.

Che-Yuan Liang researches how housing policy affects people’s behaviour, housing patterns and living standards. His focus includes issues such as new construction, mortgage regulations, housing benefits and how the physical design of homes and neighbourhoods shapes urban development. He studies, among other things, interventions in disadvantaged areas and is interested in questions such as: Can segregation be “built away” through new attractive housing? How does financial support affect low-income earners’ choice of area? What role does the police’s listing of vulnerable areas play in efforts against segregation?

– My ambition as a researcher is to contribute knowledge that can guide decision-makers as cities grow and housing costs, segregation and environmental challenges increase, says Che-Yuan Liang.