Lunch seminars in Comparative Political Economy
An inter-departmental seminar series at the University of Bergen

Lunch seminar in Comparative Political Economy
An inter-departmental seminar series at the University of Bergen
Autumn semester 2020
Coordinators: Jo Abbas (Department of Comparative Politics) joan.abbas@uib.no &
Siri Hansen Pedersen (Department of Comparative Politics) siri.pedersen@uib.no
These seminars aim to gather researchers from across the University of Bergen (UiB) who share an interest in comparative political economy.
This field is concerned with the political, institutional, and social factors that shape the economy. Specific topics include social policies, labour market regulation, precarious employment, industrial relations, Varieties of Capitalism, welfare chauvinism, property relations, taxation, and political causes and consequences of social inequality.
The seminars started in January 2017, and participants come from a range of departments, including Comparative Politics, Sociology, Administration and Organization Theory, History, Philosophy, and Social Anthropology. Activities consist of biweekly lunch seminars in which participating scholars present their own research or in which we discuss recent important publications in the field. Occasionally we invite guest speakers from abroad. Seminars are open to anyone interested, including students.
It is possible some seminars will be held online via Zoom to accommodate speakers from outside of Bergen that are unable to travel (e.g. due to Covid-19 travel restrictions). In the case that we are no longer able to meet in person, we will switch to Zoom meetings for all seminars.
When (normally): Mondays, bi-weekly from 12:15-13:15
Where: Meeting room at Christies Gate 15, 2nd floor or on Zoom (link to be sent in advance)
Everyone is welcome and feel free to bring your lunch. (Usually, some of us also go to Godt Brød after the seminar for lunch – feel free to join.)
Website: https://www.uib.no/en/sampol/114899/lunch-seminars-comparative-political-economy
21 September
Group discussion of Baccaro, L. and Howell, C. Trajectories of Neoliberal Transformation European Industrial Relations Since the 1970s. Chapters 2 & 3
19 October
Michal Kozak (Department of Comparative Politics)
A world of worthwhile work? Changes in job usefulness in the EU, 2005-2015. Co-authored with Arne L. Kalleberg (UNC).
2 November
Open
16 November (Zoom – international speaker)
Ewan Robertson (University of Edinburgh)
Political and Policy Dynamics of Supplementing Wages: Accounting for In-Work Benefit Reforms in the United Kingdom and France, 1990s - 2010s.
30 November
Georg Picot (Department of Comparative Politics)
The politics of the minimum wage: explaining introduction and levels. Co-authored with Michal Kozak.
7 December
Open