Dr. Tomášková was trained as an archaeologist and received her PhD at UC Berkeley in Anthropology in 1995. Her professional interests combine an inquiry into the materials of the prehistoric past with a concern for present social contexts in which archaeology and other sciences operate. She specializes in early prehistory of Europe and the old world in general, moving between anthropology, archaeology, history, social studies of science, and gender studies. Dr. Tomášková recently completed a book project that traced the emergence of the “shaman” as a standard figure in anthropological archaeology. Beginning with 17th and 18th century travel reports from Siberia as a part of a colonizing effort by the Russian Empire, her book Wayward Shamans: The Prehistory of an Idea addresses the portrayal of shamans as a universal, masculine category in anthropology and prehistoric archaeology. In the summer of 2010 Dr. Tomášková started a new research in South Africa, studying rock art and its production. At UNC-Chapel Hill Dr. Tomášková works to improve the climate for women scientists in various science departments through the Women and Science group, and by bringing distinguished women scientists to campus in an annual public lecture series. Dr. Tomášková has a joint appointment in the Anthropology Department and in Women’s and Gender Studies, and teaches courses in both units.