On 17 September 2026, the HEIRS workshop brought together researchers interested in household economy and inheritance, primarily from the institutions of History and Economic History at Lund University. The workshop served as a forum for researchers to present ongoing and planned research relevant to HEIRS’ research themes, exchange perspectives and develop new ideas.
One important aim of the workshop was to create connections between different areas of research concerned with how households, families and individuals have organised, managed and experienced economic life over time. The period covered by workshop participants stretched from the late medieval period to the present day, encompassing research on both historical and contemporary economic communities and practices. There was a particular focus on Sweden and the wider north. The programme considered issues including inheritance and property, legal representation, insurance, retirement, financial participation, and changing forms of economic security. Questions of work and economic contribution, including the roles of paid and unpaid labour, women’s economic activities, and the organisation of resources, were important points of connection for several presenters.
The workshop demonstrated the breadth of research that can be connected to household economy and inheritance. By bringing together perspectives from different periods, places and research approaches, the event provided an opportunity to identify common questions and potential connections between seemingly distinct areas of study. It was particularly inspiring to consider what historians and economic historians can learn from each other in terms of methodology – there was a mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods represented on the day.
The event was not only an opportunity to present current research, but also a starting point for building a broader community of researchers interested in households, wealth and resources. We hope that those interested in participating in these discussions, regardless of whether you were able to attend the 2026 workshop, will be in touch with us to join the HEIRS network. More information can be found here.
Images by Martin Dackling and Ebba Strutzenbladh