Nanna Løkka holds a doctorate in history of religion/Viking and Medieval studies from University of Oslo, and is a senior researcher in cultural policy and cultural studies. Her studies of viking mythology and the norse understanding of landscapes, led her into an interest in contemporary use of history. She publishes within both cultural history, cultural heritage and cultural- and heritage policy, and currently she is exploring heritage voluntarism, cultural sustainability and policy towards national minorities. In 2021 she published a scientific book on heritage volunteering in Norway.

She is currently associated with two research projects, funded by the Norwegian Research Council:

Governing transitions in the Norwegian outfields: Between agrarian traditions, modern comsumption and green industrialisation (GOVOUT), led by Ruralis Sustainable coastal recreation – the role and potential of voluntary organisations and civil society in coastal areas under pressure (COASTREC), led by Telemark Research Institute. Løkka is project leader.

Løkka is also project partner in the EEA-project Growing through activating local potential (GALOP) in Bulgaria.

As an historian, Løkka is an renowned expert in Viking and Medieval women’s history. She has edited two books on medieval female history (Women in the Viking Age in 2014 and The Viking and Medieval Queen in 2017), and published several articles concerning heritage questions.

Løkka is a board member of the Norwegian chapter of the Association of Critical Heritage Studies.