Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Selected Publications
Timeline
Generic
Tao Thykier Makeeff

Tao Thykier Makeeff

Historian, Author & Exhibition Curator
Copenhagen

Summary

I’m a historian and cultural communicator with a PhD and a passion for making the past relevant and engaging today. With over 15 years of experience in research, project management, and editorial work, I’ve worked across academic and cultural sectors — including roles at national broadcasters like the Danish and Norwegian National Broadcasting Corporations, the Danish Cultural Heritage Agency, and universities in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. My core strengths lie in storytelling, strategic communication, and bridging complex historical material with contemporary audiences — whether through exhibitions, publications, media appearances, or consulting on fiction and TV. I am very passionate in my work, and bring deep knowledge of cultural heritage, archival work, and digitization, and I’m known for working across disciplines, building strong networks, and delivering content that resonates both intellectually and emotionally.

Overview

28
28
years of professional experience
7
7
Languages

Work History

Research Fellow

University of Vienna
Vienna, Austria
01.2024 - Current
  • Enhanced research quality by implementing rigorous methodologies and data analysis techniques.
  • Published research findings in top-tier academic journals, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field.

Author, Historian

Oxford University Press
New York
01.2020 - Current

Author of an upcoming book on the modern uses of history.

University Teacher

Universities of Lund, Copenhagen, and Oslo
09.2011 - 06.2025


  • Taught history and social sciences to university students.
  • Designed customized learning plans tailored to individual needs, allowing each student to achieve their personal best.
  • Supervised and guided students during independent research projects, resulting in well-rounded individuals prepared for academic success beyond the classroom.
  • Exam supervisor and critical reviewer for BA, MA and PhD level students.

Editor, Historian

Journal of Religion, Nature and Culture
09.2023 - 02.2025
  • Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality editorial work.
  • Maintained open lines of communication with authors throughout the editing process, resulting in smoother collaborations.
  • Enhanced brand reputation by maintaining high ethical standards in all publications.

Visiting Researcher

Viking Ship Museum
01.2023 - 12.2023
  • Bridging research and museum practice
  • Networking facilitation, public talks, and development of communication strategies

Exhibition Curator and Museum Communicator

Stavanger University & Archaeological Museum
08.2020 - 11.2023
  • Worked closely with colleagues on interdisciplinary online exhibition project that combined art, history, science, and digital culture into a cohesive exhibition.
  • Lectured to museum guests and employees.

Invited Speaker

Harvard Divinity School
04.2023 - 04.2023
  • Delivered high-quality presentation for academic conference.

Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Stavanger
01.2020 - 01.2023
  • Research on modern uses of the Scandinavian Iron Age and Viking identities.
  • Published articles and opinion pieces, edited academic journals
  • Advisor to NRK and fiction projects with a historical focus
  • Outreach to both general public and academic communities

Cultural critic and writer

Weekendavisen, Kunstkritikk
01.2014 - 01.2023
  • Cultural critic and writer for Weekendavisen, Kunstkritikk, Dagbladet, among others


Invited Speaker

Harvard Divinity School
04.2022 - 04.2022
  • Gave academic lecture on the topic of the modern relevance of history.
  • Elevated audience engagement by incorporating compelling storytelling techniques

Conference Organizer

Lund University, University of Stavanger
01.2018 - 05.2021
  • Lead and co-organizer of international conferences (Lund and Stavanger)
  • Enhanced attendee experience by meticulously planning conference agendas and schedules.
  • Promoted organizational goals by aligning conference themes with strategic objectives.

Exhibition Curator

Lund University
03.2017 - 05.2019
  • Curator, photography exhibition at Lund University
  • Was chief planner, curator and host of an ethnographic photography exhibition.
  • Worked in co-operation with the artist for two years, planning and carrying out the exhibition.

Doctoral Researcher

Lund University
08.2014 - 05.2019
  • Increased research efficiency by streamlining data collection and analysis processes.
  • Authored articles, book chapters and an award-winning dissertation on specialized topics within the field, demonstrating subject matter expertise.

TV Presenter, Historian

TV2FRI
06.2015 - 11.2016
  • On screen expert historian in the TV-documentary 'Nordkaperen i Grækenland.'
  • Performed research and review services for producers on the topic of history and archaeology.
  • Collaborated with producers to develop innovative show segments for captivating viewers and boosting ratings.

Project Manager, Cultural Heritage Project

DR & Danish Heritage Agency
01.2008 - 01.2010
  • Team leadership, quality assurance of digitization and metadata
  • Logistics and coordination with external suppliers
  • Monitored project performance to identify areas of improvement and make adjustments.

Information Specialist

DR Radio Archive
01.2007 - 01.2010
  • Responsible for identification, archiving, and user support
  • Involved in the relocation and reorganization of the national radio archive

Project Manager

Guidenet
01.1997 - 01.1998
  • Daily management of tourist agency
  • Recruitment and retention of volunteers, development of cultural outreach
  • Identified plans and resources required to meet project goals and objectives.

Consultant

DR2 and NRK
01.2023
  • Consultant for DR2 and NRK on historical topics and communication

Education

Future Leaders Program - Leadership

University of Stavanger
Norway
04.2001 -

PhD - History of Religions

Lund University
01.2014 - 01.2019

Master of Arts - Religious Studies

Copenhagen University
Copenhagen
04.2000 - 01.2007

Bachelor of Arts - Religious Studies

Copenhagen University
Copenhagen
04.2001 -

Skills

Problem-solving

Time management

Team collaboration

Client relationships

Analytical thinking

Team leadership & development

Strategic planning

Selected Publications

  • Satyrs in Sneakers, Oxford University Press, 2025
  • Handbook of Rituals in Contemporary Studies of Religion, Brill, 2024, Editor
  • Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature & Culture, 2025, Guest editor

Timeline

Research Fellow

University of Vienna
01.2024 - Current

Editor, Historian

Journal of Religion, Nature and Culture
09.2023 - 02.2025

Invited Speaker

Harvard Divinity School
04.2023 - 04.2023

Visiting Researcher

Viking Ship Museum
01.2023 - 12.2023

Consultant

DR2 and NRK
01.2023

Invited Speaker

Harvard Divinity School
04.2022 - 04.2022

Exhibition Curator and Museum Communicator

Stavanger University & Archaeological Museum
08.2020 - 11.2023

Author, Historian

Oxford University Press
01.2020 - Current

Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Stavanger
01.2020 - 01.2023

Conference Organizer

Lund University, University of Stavanger
01.2018 - 05.2021

Exhibition Curator

Lund University
03.2017 - 05.2019

TV Presenter, Historian

TV2FRI
06.2015 - 11.2016

Doctoral Researcher

Lund University
08.2014 - 05.2019

Cultural critic and writer

Weekendavisen, Kunstkritikk
01.2014 - 01.2023

PhD - History of Religions

Lund University
01.2014 - 01.2019

University Teacher

Universities of Lund, Copenhagen, and Oslo
09.2011 - 06.2025

Project Manager, Cultural Heritage Project

DR & Danish Heritage Agency
01.2008 - 01.2010

Information Specialist

DR Radio Archive
01.2007 - 01.2010

Future Leaders Program - Leadership

University of Stavanger
04.2001 -

Bachelor of Arts - Religious Studies

Copenhagen University
04.2001 -

Master of Arts - Religious Studies

Copenhagen University
04.2000 - 01.2007

Project Manager

Guidenet
01.1997 - 01.1998
Tao Thykier MakeeffHistorian, Author & Exhibition Curator