In addition to his academic output, Markku Kuisma has written accessible books on the boundaries between politics and economics, the best known of which is Rosvoparonien paluu (‘The return of the robber barons’, 2010). His monograph Kahlittu raha, kansallinen kapitalismi (‘Money in chains, national capitalism’) was judged the best work of historical writing in 2004 and the awarded the Finnish Science Book of the Year.

Markku Kuisma’s expertise has been called upon in the making of a number of documentaries, and he has taken part in public debate as a columnist writing for various NGOs through online forums as Kaleva, Pro-lehti and Kepa, and featuring on current affairs radio broadcasts. Kuisma was a permanent advisor to the economics unit of the national daily Helsingin Sanomat between 1986 and 1993, where he wrote dozens of book reviews in the field of economics.

During his career Kuisma has been chair and member of several historical committees, for example for the City of Helsinki, the Stockmann department store, the Finnish Cultural Fund and Associated Finnish Paper Mills. In 2012 Markku Kuisma was awarded the State Information Prize for his life’s work in the study of economic history.

Finnish Broadcasting Company news bulletin, January 12, 2005: The science book of the year runs through the history of the KOP bank.