A version of Matteo Ricci's world map, created in China in 1602.

The Department of Economic History is home to a huge breadth and depth of knowledge and expertise ranging from the medieval period to the current century and covering every major world economy. It is one of the largest specialist departments in the country, with 16 full time teachers as well as visiting academics and researchers.

Epstein Lecture 2012

This year's Epstein lecture will be given by Ran Abramitzky (pictured left), Assistant Professor of Economics at Stanford University. His lecture will be on the economics of the kibbutz system. The lecture is on 1st March 2012, 6pm, Old Theatre, followed by a reception.

Click here for more details

Recent appointments

Professor Stephen Broadberry: President of the European Historical Economics Society. Dr Tim Leunig : Editor-in-Chief of Explorations in Economic History.From Summer 2012, Dr Debin Ma will be Secretary General of the International Economic History Association.|

Dr Kent Deng has recently been appointed Director of LSE's China China in Comparative Perspective Network. This is an platform for debate and networking with a working paper series and e-journal now hosted by the Economic History department.

Link to CCPN website here

For a comprehensive guide to our Master's programmes, including course information and how to apply, click on the link below.

Economic History Department Master's Programmes

Undergraduates and postgraduates tell us about their experience of studying Economic History.

Click here to read about our students' experience

Are you interested in studying Economic History? For a comprehensive guide to our undergraduate programmes, including course information and how to apply, click on the link below.

BSc Economic History

The Historical Consumer: Consumption and Everyday Life in Japan, 1850-2000
Penelope Francks and Janet Hunter (eds.) Palgrave, 2011

The book brings together studies by Japanese, British and American historians that combine economic, social and cultural analysis of the distinctive historical pathways of consumption in Japan.

China's Political Economy in Modern Times

Dr Deng's book studies the changes in China's institutions and their impact on the national economy as well as ordinary people's daily material life from 1800 to 2000.

For more information click here

Law and Long-Term Economic Change; A Eurasian Perspective

Edited by Debin Ma, Jan Luiten van Zanden

Stanford University Press, 2011

This week's seminars

Working Papers

How well do 'facts' travel'?