Mathias Nygaard

"Etenim omnes artes, quae ad humanitatem pertinent, habent quoddam commune vinculum, et quasi cognatione quadam inter se continentur."

"Indeed, all the sciences which pertain to the human have a certain common bond, and are, as it were, united by a kind of kinship among themselves."

Cicero, Pro Archia, 1.2.

In my research, I focus on human action, meaning-making, and social institutions. I have published work in anthropology, and cultural- and intellectual history. I currently work at the intesection of social anthropology and social theory.

I invite potential candidates to get in touch to discuss possible projects within the framework of Volda University College's two Phd programs (Education, Language and Culture, and Health and Social Sciences).

Work Experience

2024- Professor, Volda University College, Norway.

2023-2024 Associate Professor, Volda University College, Norway.

2018-2023 Associate Professor and Research Dean, The Newman Institute, Uppsala, Sweden.

2016-2017 Associate Professor (temporary), Volda University College.

2012-2014 Visiting Researcher (Comparative Philosophy), Kobe University, Japan.

2007-2008 Visiting Researcher (Ancient Religions of the Middle East), University of Tübingen, Germany.

Various temporary positions at OsloMet, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, etc. (2010-2018).

Experience as peer-reviewer, external examiner, translator, member of academic societies, board member, etc. (2010-)

Education

2022-2026 BA in Psychology and sociology, Linnæus University and Uppsala University.

2005-2010 PhD in Religious Studies, University of Aberdeen.

2008- Languages at Kobe University, Uppsala University, Dalarna University (Japanese, Chinese, Hebrew, Arabic, Ugaritic, Akkadian, Greek, Latin, Georgian, German, French etc.).

2006-2007 MA in Archaeology, École Biblique et Archéologique Française de Jérusalem.

2004-2005 MTh in Religious Studies, University of Aberdeen.

Teaching Profile

I have taught courses in social sciences, philosophy and religion at all levels, with full responsibility for course design, teaching, supervision, and assessment. Courses taught include:

1. Social Sciences

Social theory, Introduction to Sociology, Human Evolution, Qualitative methods.

2. Philosophy and Intellectual history

Examen Philosophicum, Examen Facultatum, History of Philosophy, Continental Philosophy, Comparative Philosophy, Philosophy of Science, Philosophy of Technology, Ethics and Bioethics.

3. Professional Programmes

Selected topics in teacher education, Cultural encounters in the professions and Intercultural communication.

4. Religious Studies

Religious traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sami religion, New religious movements), Popular culture and religion, Theory of religion, Biblical studies and Ancient Greek.