Olof Johansson-Stenman is a professor of economics at the School of Business, Economics and Law in Gothenburg, specializing in public economics, behavioral economics, and environmental economics. His research is based on the premise that people’s living conditions differ in more ways than just income.

During his tenure as holder of the Torsten Söderberg Research Chair, he will—by bringing together research on redistribution, environmental policy, and human capital—contribute new insights into how policy reforms can be designed to yield the greatest possible social benefit.

Among other things, Olof Johansson-Stenman will analyze how environmental policy measures can be designed so that they not only reduce emissions or improve the environment at the lowest possible socioeconomic cost, but also take into account how different groups are affected or benefit.

He will also conduct research on how education could be viewed as a form of preventive redistribution policy; rather than redistributing income after the fact, society can seek to influence people’s life prospects in advance through educational initiatives. Among other things, Olof Johansson-Stenman will analyze how investments in basic education—especially for disadvantaged groups—can reduce the incentive to choose a life of crime over work. If such educational initiatives reduce crime and social exclusion, they benefit not only those directly involved in the program but also society as a whole.

About the Torsten Söderberg Research Chair at the School of Business, Economics and Law in Gothenburg
The chair was established at the School of Business, Economics and Law in Gothenburg in 2001 to promote research in economics and law. The initial donation of SEK 20 million was made jointly by the Torsten Söderberg Foundation and the Ragnar Söderberg Foundation. In 2016, the Torsten Söderberg Foundation donated an additional SEK 20 million, at which time the chair received its current name. The research chair may be held by full-time professors at the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg and rotates among the subject areas of economics, law, and business administration. The term normally lasts three years.

Read more about the chair
Read the news article from the University of Gothenburg

Photo: Isac Lundmark/School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg