Béla Makkai

Béla Makkai is a Professor and Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary World History at the Institute of History, Faculty of Humanities, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary. Born in 1961 in Hungary, he has dedicated his academic career to the study of Hungarian minority communities, particularly in the Balkans and Eastern Europe.

Dr. Makkai earned his MA in History and Pedagogy from Eötvös Loránd University in 1985, followed by his CSc (Candidate of Sciences) doctoral degree in History in 1995 from the same institution. His doctoral thesis focused on "The Slavonian Action and Hungarians in Croatia 1904-1920." Prior to his current position, he served as a Scientific Advisor at the National Széchényi Library.

His primary research interests center on Interethnic Relations in the Carpathian Basin, 19th century World History, and Eastern Europe and the Balkans in the Modern Age. Makkai has made significant contributions to understanding Hungarian-Croatian relations, national policy toward Hungarian minorities abroad, and the historical development of Hungarian communities in Slavonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and other regions. His work often examines the intersection of national identity, minority politics, and cultural preservation in Central and Southeastern Europe.

Makkai's extensive publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output across multiple decades, with recent work focusing on Hungarian national conceptions during the Dualist period, migration patterns of Székely and Csángó communities, and the historical context of contemporary Hungarian-Croatian relations. His research spans academic journals, monographs, and contributions to edited volumes, reflecting his expertise in both Hungarian and international scholarly contexts.

• Keresztury-jutalom (National Széchényi Library, 1996)
• Pro Meliore emlékérem (Mathias Corvinus Collegium, 2006)

Throughout his career, Makkai has been actively involved in organizing academic conferences, serving as a guest lecturer at institutions across Central and Eastern Europe, and participating in media discussions on historical topics. His work bridges academic scholarship with public engagement, making historical perspectives accessible to broader audiences through newspaper articles, radio appearances, and television programs.