You are about to defend your thesis, what is it about?
My thesis is about household economy in southern Sweden during the early modern period, roughly the 16th to 19th centuries. I have looked at the development over time of what the regular people of the period owned that could give them an income, such as animals and spinning wheels, as well as how they sought to improve their material conditions through the acquisition of new household goods, mainly furniture and dinnerware of different material. The title of the thesis, Wealth, Consumption, and Industriousness, is a direct reference to the main theme of the study; how these households during the eighteenth century appear to have become more industrious – increased their work for the market – in order to improve, or at least maintain, their consumption capacity and wealth.
In three words, how would you describe your years as a PhD student at LUSEM?
Growth, Fun, Self-actualization
What are you up to now?
I am transcribing registers of dead Swedish nobles in preparation for the next research project.
Thank you Marcus, and we wish you all the best!