Ljubica Kordić is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia. She holds a Ph.D. in Legal Linguistics from the University of Zagreb and has been teaching German and English as foreign languages at the Faculty of Law since 1984. Her research focuses on legal linguistics, applied linguistics, and sociolinguistics, particularly multilingualism and minority languages in legal and educational contexts. She has authored three monographs, co-authored two books, and edited multiple volumes. Notable works include Pravna lingvistika – sinergija jezika i prava (2015) and Njemački jezik u školstvu i javnom životu grada Osijeka kroz povijest (2021). Her research explores legal terminology, language policy, and historical multilingualism in Croatia. Key Projects: Coordinator of the Jean Monnet Project Language and EU-Law Excellence (LEULEX) Lead researcher in the Spuren deutscher Sprache, Literatur und Kultur in Kroatien project Collaborator in the INTERREG project CATCH, developing English programs for public administration Awards: 2019 Faculty of Law Excellence Award DAAD, Goethe-Institut, and US Embassy grants Her work emphasizes legal language education, translation challenges, and the role of multilingualism in legal systems. She has published widely in international journals such as International Journal of Semiotics of Law and Studies in Logic, Grammar and Rhetoric .
Boris Bakota is a full Professor at the Faculty of Law, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, where he is affiliated with the Department of Administrative Law and Science. He has been an active faculty member since 1998 and has held leadership roles including Dean of the Faculty (2015–2017). He teaches courses in Administrative Science, Animal Rights, Comparative Public Administration, and Good Governance across multiple academic levels. His educational background includes a PhD in Law (2005) from the Faculty of Law in Osijek, a Master's degree (2001), and a law degree (1997), all from the same institution. His early professional experience includes roles in Croatian government agencies related to reconstruction and legal mediation. Bakota's research centers on public administration, local self-government, subsidiarity, and animal rights. He has made significant contributions to the understanding of EU integration impacts on Croatian governance and has emerged as a leading voice in animal ethics within legal academia. His work bridges comparative law, administrative science, and ethical philosophy, particularly in the treatment of animals in legal and institutional contexts. His recent publications show a strong trend toward interdisciplinary research, combining legal analysis with ethical and linguistic inquiry, especially in the area of animal rights and governance reform. He frequently publishes on subsidiarity, decentralization, and administrative innovation, often in international comparative contexts involving the EU and neighboring countries. Vukovar Memorial Medal Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics Bakota has supervised numerous academic works and has been active in editorial and advisory roles, including as Consultant Editor of the Journal of Animal Ethics . He has been involved in multiple international projects and networks, particularly through the Council of Europe and ENTO, where he served as President from 2012 to 2016. He has not been awarded major research grants in the text, but his leadership in professional networks indicates strong collaborative and advisory engagement. He is affiliated with several research and policy bodies, including the Croatian Academy of Legal Sciences, the Scientific Council of HAZU, the Croatian Institute of Local Self-Government, and the Group of Independent Experts for the European Charter of Local Self-Government at the Council of Europe. His international affiliations include the Cambridge Centre for Animal Rights Law.
Jovan Kurbalija is the Executive Director of DiploFoundation and Head of the Geneva Internet Platform (GIP), leading initiatives in digital governance and cyber diplomacy. He holds a PhD in international law and has pioneered cyber diplomacy research since 1992, establishing academic programs at institutions like the University of Malta and University of St. Gallen. His work integrates AI ethics with diplomatic practices, advocating for human-centered tech governance. Affiliations: DiploFoundation (Executive Director), Geneva Internet Platform (Head), adjunct lecturer at multiple universities worldwide. Key Roles: Former UN Internet Governance Forum advisor, member of the UN Working Group on Internet Governance, and co-Executive Director for the UN High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation (2018–2019). Research Interests: Focus on AI governance, digital diplomacy, internet governance frameworks, and the intersection of technology with international law. His seminal work An Introduction to Internet Governance (translated into 9 languages) is a global academic standard. He explores ethical AI through projects like the 'humAInism' approach, blending humanist traditions with technological advancement. Recent Work Trends: Recent articles address AI's geopolitical implications, digital diplomacy shifts (e.g., EU's focus on economic security), and the role of multilateral institutions in tech governance. His 2025 publications emphasize education-driven AI innovation and historical diplomacy lessons for modern tech challenges. Upcoming Projects: 8th edition of Internet Governance: Issues, Actors and Divides , Diplomacy decoded , and Understanding AI through national flags . Labs/Initiatives: Oversees Diplo's training programs and the Geneva Internet Platform, fostering global dialogue on digital policies. Active in AI apprenticeship programs and AI governance training for diplomats worldwide.
Mario Spremić is a Full Professor at the Department of Informatics, Faculty of Economics & Business, University of Zagreb, with significant international affiliations including Imperial College London, School of Economics and Business at University of Ljubljana, and Sapienza University of Rome. He serves as Vice-President of the National Scientific Committee for Information Science and Director of the Postgraduate Study Programme in IT Management. His academic career spans over two decades since joining FEB Zagreb in 2000, following prior corporate experience as a computer programmer, project manager, and executive manager. Born in Dubrovnik, Croatia (1970) B.Sc. in Mathematical Sciences (1996) M.Sc. in IT Management (1999) Ph.D. in Business (2002) Additional education from MIT Sloan School of Management Professor Spremić's research focuses on digital transformation, cybersecurity, strategic IT management, and IT auditing. His work bridges academic theory with practical business applications, resulting in over 100 scientific and professional publications. He has authored or co-authored 15 books on digital transformation, cybersecurity, and enterprise information systems. His research methodology combines theoretical frameworks with empirical validation through case studies across multiple industries. His publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output with recent contributions focusing on digital business model maturity measurement, cybersecurity frameworks, and digital transformation strategies. The publications reveal a strong emphasis on practical applications of information systems theory in business contexts, particularly in financial services, retail, and public sector organizations. His work often employs mixed-method approaches combining bibliometric analysis, case studies, and empirical validation. Winner of the CGEIT (Certificate in Governance of Enterprise IT) Reviewer for WoS, ISI and Scopus indexed journals International accreditor for EFMD and NAKVIS Active member of IEEE, ISACA, and IAE professional organizations Professor Spremić maintains strong connections with the business world through consulting work, having conducted over 100 consultancy projects, IT audits, and cybersecurity assessments across financial institutions, public sector organizations, and consumer industries. He serves as an international accreditor for higher education institutions, specializing in helping them achieve and maintain international accreditations like EQUIS. His industry engagement complements his academic work, ensuring practical relevance of his research. At FEB Zagreb, he teaches courses including e-Business, Enterprise Information Systems, Cybersecurity, IT Auditing, and Digital Transformation. His teaching approach integrates current industry practices with academic theory, preparing students for digital challenges in modern business environments. He has participated in numerous international study visits to institutions including Henley Business School, Westminster University, WU, MIT, and Technical University Munich.
Domagoj Ševerdija is an Assistant Professor at the School of Applied Mathematics and Informatics at Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, where he leads the Computer Science and Machine Learning Research Group. He holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering (2013) and a dual BS in Mathematics and Computer Science (2007) from the University of Osijek. His research spans computational linguistics, natural language processing, machine learning, and combinatorial optimization, with applications in bioinformatics, robotics, and energy systems. Recent work focuses on neural language models, domain adaptation techniques, and efficient algorithm design. Publications show strong interdisciplinary trends: computational linguistics (Croatian morphology, sentence embeddings), bioinformatics (cell typing, RNA splicing), and algorithm optimization (terrain guarding, matrix operations). Recent papers emphasize knowledge distillation, domain adaptation, and compressed representations. Awards: Best paper award in AIS - Artificial Intelligence Systems track (MIPRO 2023) Research funding includes: Computer-Assisted Corpus Linguistics (UNIOS, 2019-2020) Croatian Identity Network Framework (Adris Foundation, 2020-2021) Croatian Language in Global Cloud (Adris Foundation, 2019-2020) Leads the Computer Science and Machine Learning Research Group, coordinating projects in NLP, computational geometry, and AI applications.
Dr. Ozren Rafajac is a Professor of Professional Studies at Veleri, specializing in integral communication, digital innovation, and organizational strategies. His work bridges academic research and practical business applications, focusing on topics such as digital currencies, IoT in education, and customer experience optimization. He teaches courses in digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and procurement management, emphasizing real-world problem-solving. Research interests span integral communication frameworks, blockchain technology, and logistics optimization. He has contributed to publications analyzing customer interaction dynamics, organizational intelligence, and the impact of technology on modern business practices. Rafajac’s projects include the development of the Veleri-OI IoT School, showcasing applied IoT solutions in education and industry. His work often addresses challenges in Croatia’s economic and technological landscapes. Key areas of focus include enhancing intermodal transport networks, improving youth professional orientation, and exploring sustainable economic paradigms. Rafajac’s interdisciplinary approach integrates communication theory with practical business strategies, aiming to create actionable solutions for organizations and policy-makers.
Elisabetta Madriz is a Lecturer at the Department of Studies in the Italian Language within the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Primorska . Her role includes teaching and academic responsibilities in early childhood and preschool education programs. She specializes in courses such as Cooperation with Families , reflecting her focus on family-school dynamics and educational practices. Her academic affiliations include involvement in study programs delivered in both Croatian and Italian languages, particularly in early education and teacher training. The department emphasizes multilingual and multicultural educational approaches, aligning with her research and teaching interests in cultural diversity and educational policies. No scientific awards or specific grants are mentioned in the provided text.
Associate Professor Ana Penjak serves as Vice Dean for International Cooperation at the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, holding a PhD from the Faculty of Philosophy in Split (2014) and an earlier degree from the Faculty of Philosophy in Zadar (2004). Her appointment as Associate Professor ( Izvanredni profesor ) was confirmed in February 2023. Her academic foundation spans: Faculty of Philosophy, Zadar (2004) PhD in Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts from Faculty of Philosophy, Split (2014) Specializing in English for Specific Purposes within sports contexts, her research pioneers Academic English for Sports and Exercise Sciences , developing linguistic frameworks for kinesiology education. This interdisciplinary work merges Philology and Kinesiology ( Filologija i kineziologija ) with Anglistika as her core branch. In teaching, she leads: "English Language 1" for undergraduate programs "English for Sports and Exercise Sciences" at graduate level "Foreign Language 2 (English)" for professional undergraduates Coordination of the Boxing Sports Coach professional graduate program Her Thursday consultations (13:00-14:00) and contact number (021/302-440) support student engagement. Academic profiles are maintained via ORCID, ResearchGate, Google Scholar, and CroRIS, though no specific awards or grants are documented in the source material.
Iva Planinšek Čikara is a Senior Lecturer of Business English at the Department of Business Foreign Languages, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb. With extensive experience in English language instruction for business contexts, she specializes in developing practical communication skills for economics and business students. Her academic career at the institution spans over a decade, evolving from External Associate to her current senior position. 2012: Completed pre-Bologna two-year post-graduate program in American Studies at Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb (Thesis: "Factors Influencing the Development of American Suburbia from 1950 to 2010") 1999: Certified court interpreter for English (Zagreb County Court) 1989: M.A. in English Language and Comparative Literature from Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb Dr. Planinšek Čikara's research centers on innovative approaches to teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP), particularly how business communication can be effectively integrated into language instruction. She examines the impact of digital tools on language acquisition and develops specialized teaching materials tailored to business students' needs. Her secondary research interests include lexicography and American studies, reflecting her interdisciplinary academic background. A significant focus of her recent work explores dictionary skills development within academic language learning contexts. Her publication portfolio demonstrates a consistent commitment to practical language teaching applications, with recent works examining dictionary integration in Business English courses. The 2024 publications highlight her exploration of effective dictionary-based activities for academic language learners, while earlier works investigate specialized contexts like tourism English and entrepreneurial communication skills including the "elevator pitch" technique. As a Senior Lecturer, Planinšek Čikara has been instrumental in shaping business English curriculum at the Faculty of Economics and Business. Her collaborative work with colleagues on the "English for Business" coursebook demonstrates her commitment to developing specialized teaching resources for economics and business students. Her professional activities extend beyond teaching to include translation work specializing in social and humanistic fields, and membership in the Association of LSP Teachers at Higher Education Institutions. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes enhancing business communication skills while fostering academic language abilities, preparing students for professional environments requiring English proficiency. Office hours are available on Mondays at 11:00 with online appointment options.
Davor Runje is a lecturer at Algebra University with extensive industry experience as a software engineer, computer scientist, and serial entrepreneur. He has co-founded multiple technology ventures including AIRT (an AI startup), DRAP (a digital agency acquired by Imago Ogilvy in 2018), and PlayMedia Systems (1997), which became a global leader in AMP MP3 playback technology. His research interests span artificial intelligence, theoretical computer science, parallel and distributed computing, and cryptography. Runje has made significant contributions to programming for multiprocessor/multicore systems, with work that later became the Task Parallel Library in the .NET framework during his time at Microsoft Research. His publication portfolio shows a clear evolution from theoretical computer science and concurrency research (2003-2009) toward machine learning and AI (2019-2025), with particular focus on neural networks, model interpretability, and security aspects of large language models. His recent work demonstrates expertise in constrained monotonic neural networks, attention mechanisms for tabular time-series, and vulnerabilities in large language models. His notable achievements include: Microsoft Research SSCLI and Phoenix 2005 awards Two US patents 20 publications in theoretical computer science and artificial intelligence Chairing the Croatian Independent Software Exporters board (2020-2024) As an active industry leader, Runje has participated in numerous legal and tax reform initiatives aimed at increasing the competitiveness of the Croatian IT sector in global markets, representing approximately one-third of the Croatian IT industry through his leadership role.
Sabina Mandić serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Behavioural Disorders at the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Zagreb, where she contributes to undergraduate and graduate programs including Rehabilitation, Social Pedagogy, and Educational Rehabilitation. Her research centers on Behavioral Disorders and Educational Rehabilitation , with strong connections to Special Education and Psychology . This work aligns with the faculty's doctoral programs in Prevention Science and Disability Studies, emphasizing evidence-based interventions for diverse populations. The Faculty maintains specialized research infrastructure including the Laboratory for Prevention Research and Laboratory for Psycholinguistic Research, which support interdisciplinary investigations into behavioral mechanisms and rehabilitation methodologies across multiple laboratories focused on hearing, speech, motor behavior, and sign language.
Dr. Ante Bilić Prcić serves as Associate Professor and Dean at the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation Sciences , University of Zagreb. He teaches courses in the Department of Visual Impairments , including Family and Rehabilitation , Electronic Aids in Rehabilitation , and Psychosocial Implications of Visual Impairment . His research focuses on rehabilitation methodologies, assistive technology applications, and social skills development in individuals with visual impairments. Core Research Areas : Visual Impairment Rehabilitation, Assistive Technology, Psychosocial Interventions Teaching Expertise : Braille literacy, ICT accessibility, independent mobility training Recent publications analyze Braille literacy program effectiveness , social skill disparities in visually impaired adolescents, and ICT applications for safe navigation. His work addresses pandemic-specific challenges in disability support and art therapy accessibility. Key Collaborations : Laboratory for Psycholinguistic Research, Centre for Lifelong Learning Students : Supervises clinical exercises and graduation theses in visual impairment rehabilitation
Bruno Profac is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Split, located at Poljička cesta 35, Split. The faculty operates under the University of Split and offers integrated undergraduate/graduate programs across humanities and social sciences disciplines including language studies, history, philosophy, sociology, pedagogy, and psychology. His research interests derive directly from the Department of Psychology's academic scope, focusing on: Psychology (broad discipline) Cognitive Psychology Social Psychology Clinical Psychology Developmental Psychology Educational Psychology No scientific awards or honors were documented in the provided text. Bruno Profac's advisory roles for PhD/Master's students and grant funding details remain unspecified, though the faculty hosts structured research programs like 'CRO VETERANS' and 'Digitalna arhiva'. Laboratory or team affiliations are unmentioned despite the faculty's multiple research centers such as the Center for Integrative Bioethics and Center for Human Rights Research and Education.
Helena Pavletić is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Educational Sciences (University of Primorska), affiliated with the Department of Classroom Teaching. She specializes in Croatian language studies, lexicography, bilingualism, and syntax. Her research focuses on terminology analysis, dialectology, and educational linguistics, with notable contributions to phraseology, religious terminology, and maritime language studies. She teaches multiple Croatian language courses at undergraduate and graduate levels, emphasizing communication competence in professional environments. Her academic work spans over 20 years, producing influential studies on Croatian-Italian language contact, vertical bilingualism in Međimurje dialect regions, and historical analysis of 19th century children's poetry. Key areas of interest include lexicographical treatment of polysemic terms, metaphorization in nautical terminology, and syntactic features of Croatian media language. Dr. Pavletić's recent research highlights include investigations into geographical terminology's cultural significance, comparative syntactic analysis of daily newspapers, and exploration of dialect creativity in children's written works. She actively contributes to academic discourse through regular publications in linguistic journals and conference presentations. Professional activities include serving as lecturer-in-charge for numerous courses across undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Her work integrates theoretical linguistic analysis with practical educational applications, particularly in multilingual education contexts and regional dialect preservation.
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.
