Thomas Marmefelt

Biography

I am Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Södertörn, Sweden, and Docent (Adjunct Professor) at Åbo Akademi University, Finland as well as author of two books: The History of Money and Monetary Arrangements: Insights from the Baltic and North Seas Region (with Routledge) and Bank-Industry Networks and Economic Evolution: An Institutional-Evolutionary Approach (with Ashgate). I am a member of a monetary expert panel supporting the European Parliament on economic and monetary issues. My research in monetary economics, combines theory and history, and addresses monetary arrangements as an evolutionary process, focusing upon functional separation of money.  At present, my research concerns alternative currencies - local, complementary currencies and cryptocurrencies - and macroeconomic stability.

I hold a doctorate in economics at Jönköping International Business School, Jönköping University, after graduate studies also at EHESS (Paris) and the University of Lund, a master’s in history with a diploma in international studies at Johns Hopkins University, in Baltimore and Bologna, respectively, as well as an undergraduate degree in the social sciences at the University of Gothenburg, after undergraduate studies also at Augsburg College, Minneapolis. Furthermore, I have been a Guest Lecturer at the Institute for Advanced Studies on Science, Technology, and Society in Graz, and as a graduate student I participated in the Young Scientists’ Summer Program at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Laxenburg (outside Vienna). Apart from my native Sweden, I have lived in France, the United States, Italy, and Austria.

Education

Docent, Åbo Akademi University, Finland, 2008
Ekonomie doktor, Jönköping University, Sweden, 1998
Graduate studies economics, EHESS (Paris), 1989-93
Graduate studies economics, University of Lund, 1987-89
MA (history), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 1987
Certificate, Johns Hopkins University, Bologna, 1986
Filosofie kandidat, University of Gothenburg, 1985
Studies, Augsburg College, Minneapolis, 1982-83

Areas of Research / Professional Expertise

Evolutionary, Austrian, and Institutional economic theory
Monetary theory and monetary history
Financial and monetary institutions, and the real economy
Disequilibrium and complexity approaches to macroeconomics
Dynamics of ethics and religion, and economic performance
Emergence of norms, innovation, and market exchange
Cultural and institutional foundations of innovation
Innovation and growth

Personal Interests

Reading good books
History and politics
Philosophy and religion
Classical music and opera
Playing the guitar
Cooking
Visiting museums
Outdoors, gardening, being in nature

Websites

• Södertörn

• Åbo Akademi economics

Books