Jan Ågren

On a general level, Jan Ågren’s research interest involves institutional, historical/dynamic, and systemic analysis of issues related to economic growth and development. Presently, his main direction includes various topics connected to the dynamics between formal and informal institutions or, more particularly, between proprietary knowledge and open science related practices and attitudes in scientific settings. Of special interest is the potential impact of intellectual property rights and open science practices on the accessibility of research tools in molecular biology and modern biotechnology. As much of this research is done in silico with the help of databases and software tools in bioinformatics, not only patents, but also copyright and (database) sui generis protection, alongside non-proprietary modes of appropriation, are of interest. Presently, in the pursuit of a related research interest, he is planning a project analysing the relation between IP standards and technology transfer in the TRIPS agreement, using the systemic failure concept, as understood in the systemic approaches to innovation literature, as an analytical tool. Ågren has previously worked in industrial insurance and as a consultant. He holds a Masters degree in economic history (Lund), and he has conducted extensive studies in law (Lund and London). Apart from that listed below, he has written on international procedural law, institutional path dependence, and IPR:s and development. He is a member of the LEAP4D (Learning Economy Analysis and Policies for Development) group. http://www.fpi.lu.se/en/leap4d

The Role of Academic Institutions in the National System of Innovation and the Debate in Sweden. With Claes Brundenius and Bo Göransson. In: Göransson, B. and Brundenius, C. (eds.) (2011) Universities in Transition: The changing role and challenges for academic institutions. Springer.

Women in Science and Technology in the Nordic Countries. With Bo Göransson and Reija Tuomaala. In: Göransson, B. (ed.) (2010) Gender-Specific Research and Development: How women researchers respond to the needs of women end-users in China, Poland and Sweden. Research Policy Institute.

Gender-Specific R&D in Sweden. With Bo Göransson. In: Göransson, B. (ed.) (2010) Gender-Specific Research and Development: How women researchers respond to the needs of women end-users in China, Poland and Sweden. Research Policy Institute.

Åskådare, regissör eller aktör? En studie av rollfördelningen mellan offentliga och andra aktörer i klusterutveckling, Visanu/Nutek 2005. With Jens Sörvik

Software and Current Challenges in Law and Technology: Some institutional aspects of Tunisia, Lund, Dep. of Economic History 2000 (mimeo).