Rane Willerslev (born 1971) is a Danish anthropologist and director of the National Museum of Denmark in Copenhagen, a position he has held since 2017. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and has conducted extensive fieldwork among Siberian hunter-gatherers, including a period working as a fur hunter in the Siberian taiga. Beyond his academic output he is one of Denmark's most sought-after public speakers, known for making complex ideas accessible to broad audiences.
The Ministry of Culture reappointed Rane Willerslev as director of the National Museum for a new period of six years from June 2026.
The National Museum announced that 21 positions are being eliminated as part of a forward-looking strategic prioritization of the museum's finances.
Willerslev gave the lecture 'Think Wild' on Royal Stage on January 29, 2026.
The lecture 'Think Wild' was held at MCH Herning Congress Center on December 8, 2025.
Willerslev contributed an opinion piece in Mandag Morgen in April 2025.
Rane Willerslev performs his stand-up show 'Think Wild!' - an evening of Danish comedy at Arena Randers.
Adam Price and Rane Willerslev examine how food has shaped human civilization in a lecture at Roskilde Kongrescenter.
Rane Willerslev and Simon Jul present a performance that flips the perspective on familiar historical narratives at Det Ny Teater.
National Museum director Rane Willerslev and artist Simon Jul explore forgotten histories and what they reveal about our identity today.
Rane Willerslev takes the stage at Tråden in Middelfart for a concert starting at 19:00.
Rane Willerslev and Simon Jul explore the stories that history books have overlooked, in an entertaining lecture about unconventional and forbidden narratives.