Dušan Ratica

Dušan Ratica is a researcher at the Institute of Ethnology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), specializing in ethnography, social relations, family upbringing, value systems, and the digitization of archival documents. He has been affiliated with the institute since 1978, contributing to numerous research projects and publications in Slovak and Central European ethnology.

• University: Slovak Academy of Sciences
• School: Institute of Ethnology
• Department: Department of Ethnography
• Academic Rank: Researcher

His research interests center on the dynamics of value systems, family and social institutions, emigration, and cultural heritage. He has extensively studied intergenerational transmission of traditions, moral education in rural environments, and the role of cultural identity in modern society. His work reflects a deep engagement with both historical and contemporary transformations in Slovak ethnographic culture.

The most recent publications highlight a consistent focus on value orientation, urban ethnology, cultural diversity, and the preservation of intangible heritage. His works often explore the intersection of public and private values, the impact of historical context on social behavior, and the ethnographic dimensions of migration and identity. Themes of socialization, tradition, and cultural continuity are recurrent across decades of scholarly output.

Scientific Awards:

• Award of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (1995) – for the Encyclopedia of Slovak Folk Culture
• Literary Fund Award (1995) – for the Encyclopedia of Slovak Folk Culture
• International Prize for Ethnographic and Anthropological Studies (1996)
• SAS Commemorative Plaque (2003)
• SAS Award for Educational and Popularization Activities (2013) – for the electronic encyclopedia Traditional Folk Culture in Word and Image

Dušan Ratica has served as an editor and co-author on major ethnographic projects, including the Encyclopedia of Slovak Folk Culture. He has participated in VEGA and APVV-funded research on group identity, cultural heritage, and the history of ethnology in Slovakia. His collaborative work includes video documentaries on key personalities in Slovak ethnology. While there is no explicit mention of student advising, his editorial and research leadership roles underscore his significant influence in the field.

He has been involved in the digitization of archival documents and the development of digital platforms for cultural heritage, contributing to projects that bridge traditional ethnographic research with modern digital methodologies.