My research interest lie in understanding the long-term development of the African continent. This includes both the colonial past and contemporary issues. Under the umbrellas of African Economic History and contemporary development studies I have published on a number of topics such as: structural transformation; long-term inequality trends; inclusive agricultural development; natural resource dependency; property rights institutions and colonial legacies. While I am interested in Africa broadly I have more specifically studied Botswana, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Mauritius.

Currently I am primarily pursuing two research interests. First, calculating levels and trends in colonial income inequality in Africa, and studying drivers and dimensions of long-term inequality. Second, analysing various aspects of transformative change in Small Island Developing States. In addition, I work on estimating historical poverty levels in Africa and understanding what fossil fuel dependent developing countries can learn from historical cases of commodity collapse when facing the green energy transition.

I have been involved in teaching at Lund University since the late 1990s. I have been involved in numerous different courses and programs from bachelors to PhD levels, within my own departmen and faculty and as well as outside. I have been teaching traditional economic history, development studies, teachers training, management and much more. I have also supervised a large number or bachelors and masters theses.

My ambition is to combine my academic research with efforts to disseminate knowledge to students as well as an interested general public. This has led me to give a number of speaches to study groups, private entrepreneurs and other groups and individuals with an interest in Africa. I have also been involved in writing and editing textbooks, one of which can be downloaded for free.

https:://aehnetwork.org/textbook