Barbro Widerstedt

Tell us - who is Barbro Widerstedt?

I am an economist from Umeå, soon to be 54 years old, who has worked both in academia and in government administration. I spent nearly 20 years at Umeå University as a lecturer, doctoral student, researcher, and project coordinator. I have also worked for nearly 15 years in various government agencies, primarily at the Agency for Growth Policy Evaluation and Analysis in Östersund, but I have also had a stint at the Ministry of Enterprise. Outside of work, I enjoy using my hands to sew, knit, and do carpentry - but I also like spending time with friends and maybe participating in a pub quiz or three.

What is your research about?

My research has mainly focused on labour market and entrepreneurship issues. I have been particularly interested in how institutions, regulations, and labour market policies affect people's behaviour and how these characteristics, choices, and behaviours are rewarded in terms of income.

How did you become interested in this area?

I think I have been interested in the frameworks and structures within which we are expected to perform and for which we are rewarded since childhood. Which child doesn't want to understand why they are scolded or given candies? The specific interest in how things work in the labour market may stem from an assignment I did for the Swedish Public Employment Service's Cultural Division, which involved preparedness work for cultural creators. It became very clear how the forms of labour market policy clashed with the practical experience of those who were supposed to benefit from the policy. And from there, other related issues have emerged over time.

Why is your research needed?

As long as there are goals and ambitions in politics to design policies for all citizens, we need to examine how the systems are designed for those who don't quite fit the mould. It is an important issue of democracy.

How do you divide your time between research and teaching?

Right now, I am teaching full-time.

Dream scenario in terms of your job?

The dream is to have room for both teaching and research and still be able to contribute to policy development within my areas of interest in the labour market and regional development. Perhaps having 25% teaching and 75% research in one semester, and vice versa, 75% teaching and 25% research in another. The combination of teaching and research is important to me, as students have a way of raising new questions and new perspectives on research topics.