Agenda
Masterclass ‘Rich and Poor in Societies Past and Present’ with Professor Guido Alfani – deadline abstracts 16 December 2024
The Centre for Historical Research at University of Groningen, in collaboration with the N.W. Posthumus Institute, organises a masterclass by Professor Guido Alfani on the topic ‘Rich and Poor in Societies Past and Present’ on Wednesday 12 February 2025. The organisers offer a limited number of (Research) Masters students, PhD candidates and post-docs the opportunity to present their research to Professor Alfani by engaging with his latest book As Gods Among Men: A History of the Rich in the West (Princeton, 2023) from the perspective of their own research. In particular, papers in the fields of economic and social inequality, distribution and concentration of wealth, social mobility, poverty and charity, and the conflation of political and economic interests are welcome.
Professor Guido Alfani is professor of Economic History at Bocconi University, Milan. His areas of interest include economic history and demography, with a focus on long-term dynamics, on economic inequality and social mobility, and on the history of epidemics, pandemics and famine. He is currently a member of the scientific committee of the Datini Foundation, of the international advisory board of the Posthumus Institute-Research School for Economic and Social History and of the board of trustees of the European Historical Economics Society (EHES). In his latest book he shows how the rich historically justified themselves by helping their societies in times of crisis, why they no longer do, and what that may mean for social stability. Next to the masterclass, Professor Alfani will also deliver a public lecture at the University of Groningen (further details to be announced in due time).
Those interested in participating in this masterclass should send a paper proposal (250 words max.) to both organisers Arie van Steensel and Bart Danon ultimately 16 December 2024.
