Mattias Näsmans’ research investigates how historical actors and processes have either created obstacles or facilitated the transition of society and the economy towards sustainability.
Mattias' research uses history as a lens to explore questions about ongoing green transitions. Can transitions be governed, and if so, can they be accelerated? How do different actors affect and influence the direction of transitions?
Mattias' research has mainly focused on the car industry's environmental adaptation and green transition. In addition to car companies, his research has focused on the work of politicians and government experts in reducing health and climate-damaging emissions from cars since the 1960s. At the intersection of politics, economics, technology, and environmental science, he has, for example, examined the lengthy process towards modern exhaust emissions control. The research answers questions about the lines of conflict that have arisen and continue to arise between legislators and the car industry in attempts to develop more less polluting cars. The research highlights the complexity of individual countries' efforts to take the lead in the transition, but also provides insights for policy makers on what is needed to bring other countries on board.
In the research program “A promised land?,” Mattias investigates the ongoing green reindustrialization of Norrland.
Mattias is affiliated with the Center for Regional Science (Cerum) at Umeå University and the Center for Environmental and Natural Resource Economics (Cere) at Umeå University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.
Mattias holds a master's degree in economic history and a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Umeå University.