Mustafa Nourallah

Tell us about Mustafa Nourallah.
I am working as Assistant Professor (tenure track) at Mid Sweden University and Digital Banking and Finance Project Manager at the Centre for Research on Economic Relations (CER), where my focus is on exploring how financial technology can be leveraged to enhance the personal finance landscape of households.

My research endeavors are characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, drawing upon theories from finance, information technology, and cognitive sciences. I have published my studies in international peer-reviewed journals such as the Journal of Business Research, reviewed assignments for various journals, served as Associate Editor  for the Financial Services Review (ISSN: 1057-0810), Vice President-International of Academy of Financial Services (USA), member of advisory board of (CER), a keynote speaker on FinTech at two international conferences. I have also chaired tracks at several international conferences, and received recognition along with research grants, Hans Dalborg Award for Excellence in Research in Financial Economics (2025), Nordeas Norrlandsstiftelse Scientific Prize for 2024, Best Paper Award on Behavioral Finance at the Academy of Financial Services' 34th Annual Meeting (USA).

Why did you become a researcher?
It is fascinating to observe how society has evolved from using gold and coins to adopting digital payment methods such as mobile banking. Today, the conversation has further expanded to include decentralized finance, blockchain technology, and tokenization. As a researcher, I aim to make a meaningful impact by deepening our understanding of how individuals and businesses interact with these emerging solutions, and how they can enhance their quality of life by leveraging them effectively.

What is your research about?
I am interested in learning about utilizing financial technology (FinTech) to enhance personal finance for households and to contribute to the realization of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I have built an interdisciplinary research background through utilizing theories from finance, information technology, and cognitive sciences. This interdisciplinary background enabled me to make a humble contribution to identify critical factors that determine individuals' use of technology. In my forthcoming endeavors in FinTech, I intend to leverage both behavioral finance and capability approach of Amartya Sen, the Nobel Prize Laureate in Economics in 1998, all while taking into account insights from financial literacy .

Dream scenario in terms of the job?
I see my role at CER as a dream job for me. It allows me to share my knowledge with students, conduct research with the potential for meaningful social impact, drawing from both national and international perspectives, and volunteer with various initiatives. I also aspire to apply my research to improve the financial well-being of people in marginalized communities or those affected by the negative consequences of unstable situations such as natural disasters.