Thomas O'dell

Thomas O'dell is a Professor of Ethnology at Lund University's Department of Arts and Cultural Sciences within the Faculty of Humanities and Theology. Based at Helgonavägen 3 in Lund (Room LUX:C416), he maintains an active research profile focusing on the intersection of cultural and economic processes. His work spans three primary research domains: the cultural economy (particularly tourism and heritage institutions), mobility in modern society, and transnational cultural flows with emphasis on American influence in Sweden.

His research demonstrates consistent engagement with cultural economy dynamics, examining how heritage institutions navigate hybrid markets where public missions intersect with private-sector business models. Recent projects like Understanding the Conditions Facing Heritage in a Hybrid Market (2017-2018) and Hip Heritage and Museum Practices (2023) employ ethnographic methods to analyze institutional adaptation strategies. His scholarship reveals growing emphasis on sustainability and community engagement, evident in works examining DIY repair cultures, sustainable living practices, and democratic participation in religious spaces.

O'Dell's publication record shows strong thematic continuity since his 1997 doctoral dissertation on Americanization in Sweden, while progressively incorporating contemporary concerns like marketization of heritage and sustainable transitions. His collaborations with Lizette Gradén represent a significant research partnership spanning multiple projects funded by entities including the Swedish National Heritage Board and the Church of Sweden. Current activities include examining heritage practices through traditional crafts like thatching and analyzing how budget constraints affect cultural prioritization in museums.