Mattias Legnér

Mattias Legnér is Full Professor in Conservation at Uppsala University, specifically within the Department of Art History at Campus Gotland, and holds a Docent title in History. He is affiliated with the Department of Archaeology, Ancient History and Conservation, where he leads significant research on cultural heritage protection, particularly in conflict and post-conflict settings. His work is deeply interdisciplinary, bridging history, conservation science, policy, and security studies.

His research interests include the history and management of cultural heritage, the political and ideological uses of the past—especially during the Second World War and in contemporary conflicts—the protection of heritage during armed conflict, contingency planning, religious heritage security, and the interplay between energy efficiency and heritage conservation in historic buildings. He has extensively studied the indoor climate challenges in museums and churches, and the legacy of Nazi-era archaeological research in Sweden.

Legnér’s recent publications reveal a strong focus on heritage in war, including pre-emptive protection strategies, hybrid warfare threats, and the safeguarding of religious and movable cultural property. His work combines historical analysis with policy-oriented research, influencing national preparedness and heritage management practices in Sweden and beyond.

• Board member, Swedish National Heritage Board (Riksantikvarieämbetet)
• Member, Advisory Board, Centre for Critical Heritage Studies
• Former Senior Lecturer in Conservation, Gotland University (2008–2013)
• Visiting scholar at Johns Hopkins University and Oberlin College

He has led over 15 research projects funded by the Swedish Research Council, the Swedish Energy Agency, the Church of Sweden, and other national bodies. Notably, he directed the 'Research Node Cultural Heritage' at Uppsala University (2015–2018), fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. His current projects focus on civil defense planning for heritage, religious heritage protection, and the legacy of Nazi research, demonstrating sustained leadership in critical heritage issues.

Legnér also contributes to public discourse through media appearances, podcasts, and policy reports, emphasizing the societal relevance of heritage conservation in times of crisis.