At a time when academic freedom is under threat, top U.S. universities are halting recruitment, and research grants are being cut or restricted, Handelsbanken is expanding its support for independent, long-term research in economics and finance at the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE).

“The continental plates within academia have shifted. As the U.S. pulls back, we can level up. This gives us a unique opportunity to recruit top international talent to Sweden. The bank is not only supporting individual positions – but also helping to strengthen the entire infrastructure for independent, long-term research in economics,” says Lars Strannegård, President of SSE.

Handelsbanken Research Foundations already fund four professorships in economics, finance, accounting, and management. One of them is now changing name and focus. Magnus Johannesson – ranked the top researcher in Sweden and among the top in the world in the field of economics and finance – is now the new holder of the Handelsbanken Professorship in Economics.

Recently, a Handelsbanken-funded research center was also launched, along with a new professorship, and two assistant professoships, all with a focus on Philosophies of Markets. The initiative aims to deepen our understanding of the market’s role in a rapidly changing society. In addition to the two positions at the center, the bank’s foundations will also fund five more new positions for early-career researchers.

Attracting global talent

This means that Handelsbanken, in total, will be funding seven assistant professorships for early-career researchers. SSE can now offer attractive conditions to promising international researchers – people who might otherwise have seen the U.S. as the natural next step in their academic journey.

“This is a very deliberate and targeted investment. Recruiting senior professors is risky, expensive, and slow. Younger researchers are more flexible. They’re looking to establish themselves, and Swedish salary levels are more acceptable at that stage,” says Strannegård.

The goal is to create space for independent, foundational research – the kind of research that shapes tomorrow’s policy decisions, business strategies, and societal development.

“Sweden is an attractive country for research. We’re innovative, we have an open society and a strong democracy that defends academic freedom. Handelsbanken’s support allows us to build on that strength,” Strannegård adds.

With this initiative, Handelsbanken becomes one of SSE’s most important funders. The bank isn’t just supporting individual roles – it’s helping strengthen the entire infrastructure for long-term, independent research in economics.

"We want to stay attentive and flexible to the needs that arise within the research community, and direct funding where it has the chance of making the greatest impact. Alongside the long-term support we already provide – such as the five professorships we fund at the Stockholm School of Economics – we see this as a way to enable research that is independent, long-term, and relevant to society. This is part of Handelsbanken’s broader commitment to supporting independent economic knowledge development and dissemination, where our investment in EFN Ekonomikanalen also plays an important role,” says Martin Blåvarg, Executive Director of the Handelsbanken Research Foundations.

Professorships funded by Handelsbanken

• Handelsbanken Chair in Philosophies of Markets: Hans Kjellberg

• Handelsbanken Professor of Finance: Magnus Dahlquist

• Handelsbanken Professor of Economics: Magnus Johannesson

• Jan Wallander Professor of Accounting and Financial Management: Henrik Nilsson

• Handelsbanken Chair in Accounting: Niklas Hellman (t.f.)

For more information, please contact:

Martin Blåvarg
Executive Director, Handelsbanken Research Foundations
Email: martin.blavarg@handelsbanken.se
Tel: +46-730-548 838

Ylva Mossing
Content and Media Relations Manager
Stockholm School of Economics
Email: ylva.mossing@hhs.se
Tel: +46-730-972 616

About the Stockholm School of Economics

The Stockholm School of Economics is rated as a top business school in the Nordic and Baltic countries and enjoys a strong international reputation. World-class research forms the foundation of our educational offering, which includes bachelor, master, PhD, MBA, and Executive Education programs. Our programs are developed in close cooperation with the business and research communities, providing graduates substantial potential to attain leading positions in companies and other organizations. 

The School is accredited by EQUIS, certifying that all of its principal activities – teaching as well as research – maintain the highest international standards. The Stockholm School of Economics is also the only Swedish member institution of CEMS and PIM, which are collaborations between top business schools worldwide, contributing to the level of quality for which our school is known. 

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