For the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, this represents an unprecedented boost for the subjects concerned, according to Dean Ulf Melin:
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to develop operations at the departments in these important areas. It provides the opportunity to attract people who are good at their subject and give them substantial and long-term funding. We rarely get such long-term external funding for the research environments,” says Ulf Melin.
A rare type of donation
Spouses Catharina Högbom and Michael Cocozza are behind the donation, which strengthens their previously established foundation for research and culture in Linköping municipality. The foundation has previously contributed to the employment of two professors in history, who are now active, and also enabled a number of postdocs to be employed.
Two professors in economics
He is particularly pleased that there are to be two new professors in economics - one of them in economic history - which he hopes will broaden the subject at Linköping University.
“I believe that the placement of a professorship in economic history within the economics research environment will enrich both fields of study. Internationally, the most interesting research in economic history is done by people with both theoretical economics and historical education. This combination is currently lacking in Sweden.
Once the professors are in place, their mission will be to build new research environments. Of course, the foundation expects good research to be produced, but also expects the results to be communicated to the public via seminars, articles or in other contexts.
This is in line with the expectations of the university, faculty and departments, according to Dean Ulf Melin, who has also been a member of the foundation’s Board for a month.
LiU Vice-Chancellor Jan-Ingvar Jönsson welcomes the large donation:
“Private donations provide significant support to our research and will be even more important in the future as government resources are limited. We are also proud to note that many private donors are seeking out LiU,” he says.
