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Dr. Dijana Drandić is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Educational Sciences , Juraj Dobrila University of Pula , specializing in Early and Preschool Education . As Lecturer in charge for courses like General Didactics and Intercultural Communication , she emphasizes inclusive practices and pedagogical innovation. Research Interests : Intercultural communication, inclusive education for children with developmental disabilities, music pedagogy, and ICT integration in special education. Key Projects : Collaborative work on ICT in Special Education , Montessori Adaptation for Disabilities , and intercultural readiness studies. Publications : 15+ works on intercultural sensitivity, traditional music in education, and bilingualism in multicultural kindergartens. Advising : Supervised 20+ theses, including studies on autism inclusion, Roma education, and creative workshops for special needs. Her recent work explores technology-enhanced learning for children with disabilities and curriculum design for intercultural competence. She also co-authored practical guides on ICT as Special Needs Support and Native Identity Development in Istrian contexts.

• Intercultural Communication
• Inclusive Education
• Music Pedagogy
• +4 more

Mario Katić is an Associate Professor at the Department of Ethnology and Anthropology , University of Zadar, Croatia. His work bridges Death Studies, Memory Studies, and Maritime Anthropology , with a focus on Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Croatia . Key research areas include religioscapes, identity sedimentation , and interfaith pilgrimage practices He employs ethnographic fieldwork, archival analysis , and material culture studies to examine sacred sites and cultural memory His recent publications explore: 2024 Geoadria thematic issue on urban sedimentation processes 2024 analysis of Final Fantasy VII fan folklore in Games and Culture 2023 Religions article on Mediterranean maritime pilgrimage infrastructure 2023 Slavonic and East European Review study of viscous ethnic identities in post-Ottoman Bosnia Methodologically, Katić emphasizes: Autoethnographic approaches to pilgrimage research Volunteer participant observation in religious sites Drone-assisted spatial analysis in Adriatic fieldwork

• Death Studies
• Space and Place
• Memory Studies
• +6 more

Dragana Špica is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Asian Studies , Juraj Dobrila University in Pula . She specializes in Japanese language education and intercultural communication, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses including Japanese language through media, conversational practice, and intercultural communication. Her research focuses on Phonetic challenges in Japanese language acquisition Cross-linguistic comparisons between Japanese and Croatian Lexicography and bilingual dictionary development Online language teaching methodologies Adjective-verb interactions in Japanese Recent publications examine vowel length perception, nasal sound articulation, and educational technology applications. She supervises student projects related to Japanese language and culture. Contact: dragana.spica@unipu.hr

• Japanese Language
• Intercultural Communication
• Applied Linguistics
• +2 more

Prof. Dietrich Kappeler is a renowned Swiss academic specializing in international law and diplomacy. He held the position of Professor and former Director of the Diplomatic Studies Programme at the Graduate Institute of International Studies in Geneva (1993–1998). Previously, he was the founding director of the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies at the University of Malta (1990–1993). His career spans academic leadership, Swiss diplomatic service (1957–1965), and roles as a consultant for institutions like the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Education: Bachelor’s in French Law (1953), Université St Joseph, Beirut Licence in Public Law (1955), University of Berne Doctorate in Public Law (1957), University of Berne Research focuses on diplomatic law, international institutions, human rights, and the historical evolution of diplomacy. He pioneered diplomatic training programs in Cameroon and Kenya, and his work emphasizes mediation, cultural diversity in diplomacy, and the future of diplomatic practices. Notable contributions include analyses of the Swiss-mediated Algeria independence negotiations (1961–1962) and reflections on diplomacy’s evolving role in global governance. Grants and advising: His career involved institutional development through founding academic programs and advising on third-world diplomatic training. He was seconded to universities in Tehran and Nairobi, demonstrating his global academic reach. Labs/Teams: Co-founded the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies and contributed to creating the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC) and the University of Nairobi’s Diplomacy Institute.

• International Law
• Diplomatic Law
• Law of International Institutions
• +8 more

Kristina Djaković is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages (FET) within the Faculty of Economics and Tourism at the University of Primorska in Pula, Croatia. She specializes in German language education, intercultural communication, and the intersection of language studies with tourism and cultural heritage. Her teaching responsibilities include undergraduate and graduate courses in German language, culture, and intercultural communication, emphasizing practical application and multimedia teaching methods. Her research focuses on language didactics, cultural studies in education, and the role of German language in tourism contexts. Notable contributions include analyses of Croatian textbooks for German as a foreign language, tourism advertising language, and the impact of globalization on language use in Istria. She actively participates in international conferences and curriculum development initiatives, advocating for innovative teaching methodologies and teacher training through multimedia tools. Publications span topics from historical language education frameworks to modern applications of digital resources in language learning. While no formal awards are mentioned, her work reflects sustained engagement with regional language preservation and pedagogical innovation in higher education.

• German as a Foreign Language
• Intercultural Communication
• Tourism and Language Studies
• +3 more

Prof. Dr. Sc. Ivana Paula Gortan-Carlin is a Full Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Education Sciences at Juraj Dobrila University in Pula, Croatia. She holds a position in the Department of Primary Education and has been active in academic leadership since 2024. Her career includes roles as Head of the Classroom Teaching Department (2017–2020) and Head of Teacher Education (2015–2017). She teaches courses in music pedagogy, early childhood education, and interdisciplinary studies. Her research focuses on music education, cultural heritage, and teacher competencies. She has led departments and projects like the Čakavian Assembly’s Music Department and contributed to UNESCO-related cultural management strategies. Education: PhD in Musicology (2012), University of Ljubljana MSc in History (2005), University of Zagreb Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology (1994), University of Ljubljana Professional Training: Event Management in Cultural Organizations (Florence) Research Interests: Music education methodologies, traditional music preservation, interdisciplinary teaching approaches, cultural policy, and teacher professional development. Her work bridges musicology with early childhood development and cultural tourism strategies. Recent Article Trends: Focus on innovative music education practices, cultural heritage management, and intercultural communication through music. Recent works explore opera performance innovations, regional music traditions, and teacher competencies in Croatia. Awards: II. Musicological Awards (Istria Nobilissima, 2001) Honors for composing/conducting work Leadership roles in Čakavian Assembly and Croatian Musicological Society Grants & Projects: Led projects on inclusive teacher education, cultural event management, and regional music documentation. Active in ERASMUS+ collaborations and cultural tourism initiatives. Labs/Teams: Coordinates the Music Education Research Group and collaborates with the Department of Cultural Management at her faculty.

• Music Education
• Early Childhood Development
• Ethnomusicology
• +3 more

Leonarda Lovrović is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of English Studies, University of Zadar, Croatia, with a career spanning secondary education and tertiary teaching since 1999. Education Graduated in English Language and Literature and German Language and Literature, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zadar, 1999. Research Interests Her main scholarly focus lies in English language teaching , particularly the integration of literature and authentic materials to foster intercultural competence , communicative competence , and task-based language learning . She explores how poetry, short stories, newspaper articles, and Shakespearean texts can be leveraged to develop learners’ linguistic and cultural awareness. Additional interests include academic writing instruction, learner attribution processes, and cross-linguistic influence in second-language acquisition. Recent Publication Trends Across the past 15 publications, a clear trajectory emerges from classroom-oriented studies on task-based and literature-driven pedagogy toward broader issues of intercultural education, sustainable development competences, and learner psychology. Early work emphasizes practical techniques—using poems, short stories, and newspapers—while recent outputs engage with virtual exchange, learner attributions, and culture-oriented curricula, reflecting an evolution from micro-level classroom strategies to macro-level educational concerns. Professional Memberships & Service Member, Croatian Society for Applied Linguistics (HDPL) Member, Croatian Philological Society (HFD) Member, Croatian Association of Teachers of English (HUPE) Teaching & Advising At the undergraduate level she teaches Modern English ; at the graduate level she delivers Modern Language – Language Exercises . She also leads teacher-training seminars and actively participates in international conferences, indicating ongoing mentorship and professional development activities for both pre-service and in-service teachers. Labs & Teams While no dedicated lab is mentioned, her continuous involvement in national and international applied-linguistics societies and conference organizing committees suggests collaborative engagement with broader research and teacher-training networks at the University of Zadar and beyond.

• English language teaching
• Applied linguistics
• Intercultural competence
• +3 more

Anamarija Zron is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Economics (EFRI) of the University of Rijeka. She teaches courses on Information and Communication Technologies in Economics and Business, and Artificial Intelligence in Business. Her research focuses on AI applications in business, data analysis, and negotiation strategies with a cultural perspective. Her teaching includes modules on computational modeling with Excel, VBA programming, and the ethical implications of AI in business. Courses also cover virtual/augmented reality applications and digital transformation trends. Recent research explores innovative leadership's impact on employee innovation, business intelligence tools for smart city rankings, and cross-cultural negotiation frameworks.

• Information Systems
• Artificial Intelligence
• Business Intelligence
• +3 more

Janko Žufić, M.Sc.ing, is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Pula, Croatia. He holds degrees in Electrical Engineering with a major in Automation from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER) in Zagreb (1993) and pedagogical competences acquired in 2001. A certified computer science professor since 2002, he has dedicated his career to bridging technology and education, with particular emphasis on e-learning systems and computer science education. Employment History: Private sector work (1993-1999), teaching roles in primary/secondary schools (1998-2002), head of IT support at Faculty of Educational Sciences (2002-present), Senior Lecturer since 2007, and part-time teacher at Algebra Group. Research Focus: E-learning optimization, microlearning, educational technology design, programming pedagogy for elementary grades, and human factors in computing. His scholarly work spans 20+ publications, with recent studies exploring ChatGPT's educational implications (2025), video-based microlearning (2024), and gamification in computer science education (2022). He has also contributed to understanding the role of color and typography in digital learning environments (2009-2019). Žufić's practical expertise includes developing Web 2.0 tools for educators (2017), creating three books, and mentoring students in producing approximately 50 films. As an active project manager, he has coordinated two EU-funded initiatives and over 80 smaller projects focused on social and technical sciences, supported by organizations ranging from Zagreb Bank to Croatian employment agencies and Istrian municipalities. His academic rank was last renewed on January 24, 2018, within the field of Information and Communication Sciences, specializing in Information Systems.

• E-learning
• Computer Science Education
• Educational Technology
• +4 more

Sanda Katavić-Čaušić serves as Senior Lecturer at the Department of Interdisciplinary Courses, Faculty of Economics, University of Osijek. She teaches undergraduate Business English courses (Business English 1, 2, and 6) while holding dual master's qualifications in Education and Economic Sciences. Her academic credentials include: Master of Education in English and German Language and Literature, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Osijek (1998) Master of Economic Sciences, University of Rijeka (2009) Dr. Katavić-Čaušić's research centers on intercultural communication competencies , ICT integration in language pedagogy , and business language applications . Her work bridges linguistic theory with practical business communication needs, emphasizing digital tools like QR codes and social media for enhanced language acquisition. She has developed specialized ESP curricula for military, arts, and business contexts throughout her career. Analysis of her 2021-2024 publications reveals consistent focus on business discourse linguistics (phrasal verbs, word classes in business media) and pandemic-era learning adaptations . Her methodology combines corpus linguistics with pedagogical innovation, particularly in transmedia learning environments and authentic material implementation. Scientific Awards: No major awards documented in available sources She actively implements grant-funded initiatives including the COIL project ( Promicanje interkulturalnih kompetencija kroz suradničke online prakse ) and Erasmus+ collaborations. Professional engagements encompass: Translation of art/culture publications American Corner Osijek partnership projects Membership in UNJSVU (Professional Language Teachers Association) and HUPE (Croatian English Teachers Association)

• Intercultural Communication
• Business English
• English for Special Purposes (ESP)
• +3 more

Jelena Kupsjak is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Ethnology and Anthropology, University of Zadar, Croatia. Her office is located at Šime Vitasovića 1, 23000 Zadar, SEP building, office 201/3. Contact details include email addresses jkupsjak@unizd.hr and jelena.kupsjak@gmail.com, and phone number 023/200-732. Her research spans medical anthropology, gender studies, and digital anthropology with emphasis on mental health policies, cultural politics of happiness, and gender representation in digital media. Key interests include Croatian mental health systems, emotional regulation in women's lives, video game culture, and foundational anthropological concepts like kinship and identity. Her work critically examines intersections of health, technology, and social structures in contemporary society. Analysis of her 2020-2024 publications reveals consistent focus on healthcare access through crowdfunding studies, pandemic-related political discourse, and happiness as regulatory mechanism. She bridges theoretical anthropology with urgent societal issues, particularly in Balkan contexts. Her German-language publications on core anthropological concepts indicate strong European theoretical engagement alongside regionally focused empirical work. Scientific awards: None documented in available sources. Advising and grant information remains unspecified in current documentation. No formal student mentorship listings or research funding acknowledgments appear in her profile. Her academic activities appear centered on independent research and departmental teaching responsibilities within the University of Zadar's ethnology framework. Laboratory or team affiliations are not referenced. Her scholarly output suggests primarily solo-authored work with occasional international collaborations evident in multilingual publications, but no sustained research collectives or dedicated facilities are mentioned.

• Medical Anthropology
• Gender Studies
• Digital Anthropology
• +5 more

Ana Matijević is a Spanish Language Lecturer at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, teaching Spanish for Specific and Academic Purposes to students of Humanistic and Social Sciences disciplines since 2017. Previously, she served as an Expert Associate for Spanish Language at the Center for Foreign Languages within the same faculty from 2002 to 2017. Education: M.A. in Spanish and Latin Language and Literature, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb Research Interests: Her research focuses on Spanish Language Teaching , particularly in the areas of Language for Specific Purposes (LSP) , Intercultural Communication , and Translation Studies . She has explored the usage of idioms in teaching intercultural aspects and has conducted workshops on blended language learning and syllabus design. Recent Publications: Her 2019 publication on idioms in LSP courses reflects a strong emphasis on practical teaching methodologies and the integration of cultural elements in language instruction, aligning with current trends in language education that prioritize real-world application and cultural competence. Projects and Grants: Erasmus+ CBHE Project Re-FLAME (2019-2022): Partner's coordinator for the project Reforming Foreign Languages in Academia in Montenegro, conducting workshops on language teaching methodology and blended learning.

• Spanish Language Teaching
• Language for Specific Purposes
• Intercultural Communication
• +1 more

Darija Korkut is a Senior Lecturer at Effectus University of Applied Sciences, specializing in Finance and Law. With a background in English Studies and a Master's degree from the University of Zagreb, she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the Information Society program at the Faculty of Information Studies in Novo Mesto, Slovenia. Education: Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (University of Zagreb, English Studies), Ph.D. candidate in Information Society (Faculty of Information Studies). Experience: 10 years at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, 10-year internship at the Ministry of the Interior, and current teaching roles at Effectus University. Her research focuses on analytical methods , game theory , social network analysis (SNA) , and creativity in business environments . Recent publications explore AI perception, intelligence analysis techniques, and applications of SNA in counterterrorism. She has authored seven books and taught at NATO/US EUCOM workshops. Her scientific expertise spans from cognitive modeling to business intelligence, with a strong emphasis on structured analytical techniques and critical thinking. The 2025 article on AI perception in Croatia and 2022 works on security operations highlight her interdisciplinary approach combining technology, psychology, and management. Teaching Contributions: Undergraduate/graduate courses: Leadership Techniques, Knowledge and Innovation Management, Analytical Management, Critical Thinking International certification programs in analytical techniques Publications: Editor and author of "Economic Analysis of International Terrorism"; focus on creativity (4.0), game theory applications, and data science in telecommunications.

• Analytical Methods
• Game Theory
• Social Network Analysis (SNA)
• +4 more

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sc. Chikako Shigemori Bučar is an external collaborator at the Faculty of Philosophy, Juraj Dobrila University in Pula , Croatia. Her research focuses on Japanese language and classical literature , with an emphasis on intercultural communication. Contact: Email

• Japanese Language
• Classical Literature
• Intercultural Communication

Professor Monika Kopytowska is affiliated with the University of Lodz. She has been actively involved in international academic collaborations, particularly through the Erasmus+ program. In 2023 and 2022, she delivered guest lectures at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Split, Croatia, focusing on sociolinguistics, pragmatics, and intercultural communication. Her presentations addressed topics such as journalistic strategies in representing reality, mediated social reality, and the interface between religion, language, and society. These visits underscore her expertise in language studies and cross-cultural dialogue. Her academic contributions emphasize the intersection of language, society, and media. She has engaged with students and faculty through specialized courses like Sociolinguistics and Semantics and Pragmatics , collaborating with Prof. Jagoda Granić from the Croatian Language and Literature Department. Her work reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary research and international academic exchange.

• Sociolinguistics
• Pragmatics
• Intercultural Communication
• +3 more