Sofija Stefanovic

Sofija Stefanovic serves as Full Professor of Physical Anthropology at the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Philosophy, Department of Archaeology, while leading the Bioarchaeology research group at the University of Novi Sad's Biosense Institute. Her ERC-funded BIRTH project pioneers research into prehistoric fertility mechanisms and human survival despite birthing challenges, establishing her as Serbia's first ERC-supported scientist.

Her research integrates Bioarchaeology of the Balkans, Physical anthropology, and Human osteology to analyze ancient biosystems through skeletal growth patterns, paleodemography, and sociobiological consequences of aging. This interdisciplinary approach reveals critical insights into fertility dynamics relevant to modern populations, with fieldwork focused on prehistoric Balkan communities.

Her primary scientific recognition includes:

• European Research Council (ERC) grant for the BIRTH project

Professor Stefanovic has supervised 30 BA, 13 MA, and 9 PhD students in physical anthropology and bioarchaeology. She actively shapes national science policy as President of Belgrade's Central Institute for Conservation Board, contributes to junior scientist development through the German National Academy of Sciences, and drives science-industry collaboration via the Serbian Chamber of Commerce.

She directs the Bioarchaeology research group at the Biosense Institute, University of Novi Sad, coordinating interdisciplinary studies of ancient human remains to reconstruct demographic patterns and health conditions in prehistoric Balkan populations.