Magnus Lodefalk receives award for outstanding research communication

AI, customs, immigration and international trade. Magnus Lodefalk's research in economics has over the years revolved around issues that are relevant to society as a whole. Now he is awarded the prize for outstanding research communication, which is awarded by Örebro University and The Hamrin Foundation.

– It feels important to research issues that affect many people and that can contribute to a better knowledge base. One example is AI: it is expected to affect the whole of society and most professionals, says Magnus Lodefalk.

During his research career, Magnus Lodefalk has often been interviewed in the media and has been an expert to business and governtment agencies. One explanation for this is that his research revolves around pressing issues that affect many people.

Not just a coincidence

– It has turned out that there has been great interest in my research questions. When Donald Trump was elected president for the first time in 2016, there was a lot of focus on tariffs, immigration and how it affects foreign trade and the economy in general. Since that is my area of ​​research, I was often asked, says Magnus Lodefalk and admits that it may not be just coincidence that played a role.

Magnus Lodefalk spends time communicating his own and others' research outside of academia, but he also disseminates his own research within the research community.

– If we write a research article, I also try to make sure that we make a more accessible version: a popular science text, a debate post, a blog column and the like. This helps to provide ideas for new research, new contacts and sometimes for new collaborations. This also leads to us being invited to speak both in academia and outside the research community, says Magnus Lodefalk.

AI and the labor market

In 2024, he wrote the book "Artifical intelligence and jobs", which has made his reach new audiences. In the book, he describes his own and others' research and what it, together with historical examples, tells us about how the labor market and society are being changed by AI.

– I am not an expert on AI as a technology in itself. My focus is on AI's consequences for the labor market, productivity and transition. And these are questions that many people want to discuss. At the same time, it is important to be nuanced. As Roy Amara formulated it in the so-called "Amara's law": "We tend to overestimate the effects of technology in the short term and underestimate them in the long term", says Magnus Lodefalk.

Recurring expert in the media

Participation in TV4 Nyhetsmorgon, Ekonomiekot on Sveriges Radio and SVT, among others, has further made Magnus Lodefalk a recurring expert on issues of AI's impact.

– It is largely demand-driven: if there is interest in what we research and teach, I see it as part of my mission to contribute research-based knowledge to the rest of society in dialogue with colleagues and co-authors, says Magnus Lodefalk.

How does it feel to receive an award for successful research communication?

– It is very honorable for me and my colleagues and co-authors. Research communication is an important part of our responsibility as researchers. When knowledge becomes understandable and usable outside of academia, it can also contribute to better conversations and better decisions, says Magnus Lodefalk.

The text was orginally published in Swedish on Örebro University's website.