The Research Council of Norway's 2002 award for excellent research, the Møbius award, was awarded to NHH economics professor Agnar Sandmo. The prize is worth 500 000 kroner.
Sandmo received the prize for his research over many years into the opportunities and weaknesses of economic policy in the welfare state, with a focus on taxation issues.
In the press release from the Research Council of Norway Sandmo was describes as one of Norway's most prominent economists, with a unique position internationally. He was further described as a central driver and inspiration for economics academic community in Norway, with a considerable international contact network. Sandmo is still very active as a researcher in the international arena after more than 30 years, with a series of scholarly articles published in 2002.
Agnar Sandmo's research assumes that we live in a world where we must deal with uncertainty and where there are limited opportunities for action. Markets and social institutions function in a far from ideal way and we must therefore accept and have insight into compromises and second best solutions.
His most important research topics have been tied to disparities, redistribution, insurance arrangements and tax systems. A line running from theoretical interest rate work in the 1970's to today's political conflicts, concerning income distribution, environmental problems and "green" taxes. Many of these complicated questions are addressed together in his most recent book The Public Economics of the Environment, published in 2000.
In addition to his excellent academic work, Agnar Sandmo is a popular and highly valued lecturer. His considerable educational abilities make him a popular lecturer and a competent disseminator of knowledge in his research field, as he manages to explain deep academic insight in elegant and simple ways.
Read more about the Møbius-prisen (in Norwegian) on the Research Council of Norway's website.
Last updated: 2005-03-03. Contact: Webmaster
