Matilda Baraibar Norberg is an Associate Professor (docent) of Economic History at Stockholm University's Department of Economic History and International Relations. Her research adopts a historically informed political economy approach to study agrarian change, international food systems, and sustainability. She focuses on understanding the interplay of international agrofood trade, technological shifts, and institutional arrangements at various levels (global to local) and their specific consequences in different territories.

One of her recent publications is "The Soybean through World History: Lessons for Sustainable Food Systems" (Routledge, 2023). This book explores the evolving roles and functions of soy in world history, from its use as a food crop in ancient China to its present-day impact as the main driver of deforestation in the Amazon. The book delves into the long historical cycles of soy production, its influence on vast trade networks, and its complex social-ecological consequences. It is co-authored with Lisa Deutsch from the Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University.

Another significant publication is her single-authored monograph, "The Political Economy of Agrarian Change in Latin America: Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay"  (Springer International Publishing, Palgrave, 2020). The book examines the political economy of agrarian change in these three Latin American countries, considering the role of history as well as the international context. Through a comparative analysis of how these states respond to both global market forces and historically formed institutions, the monograph sheds light on the varying capacities of state autonomy in the present era of agrofood globalization. 

Besides her research, Matilda actively promotes sustainability and resilience through interdisciplinary collaboration. She serves on the Advisory Board for the South American Institute for Resilience and Sustainability Studies (

SARAS institute - Advisory Board

) and recently completed a report on governance and agroecology for the Latin American section of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This report provides an encompassing overview of scholarly debates, governance structures, and policies supporting agroecology. It draws on case studies and offers recommendations to policymakers and stakeholders to strengthen agroecological practices and promote food sovereignty.

Matilda possesses extensive experience teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the fields of economic history, international relations, social change, food and agriculture, climate change, and environmental policy and regulation. Her dedication to engaging and inspiring students earned her the Stockholm University pedagogical award "Teacher of the Year" in 2021. In addition to teaching, she has supervised numerous graduate (16 graduate theses) and post-graduate students (17 MA-theses) in Economic History and International Relations. Her students have pursued diverse topics, ranging from the political economy of land reform in Latin America to the historical roots of climate change denial. Currently, Matilda is the main supervisor of Enrique Mejía (doctoral student in economic history) and the assistant supervisor of Jorge Rodriguez Morales (doctoral student in international relations).

Matilda's research is currently funded by the Swedish Research Council (project number 2018-02051) and the Jan Wallander and Tom Hedelius Foundation, as well as the Tore Browaldh Foundation (project number P20-0258), where she serves as the Principal Investigator.