Martina Podboj

2017-2018

Martina Podboj, PhD Candidate in Linguistics, University of Zagreb, Croatia

I am a PhD student of Linguistics at the University of Zagreb, Croatia. I hold a dual MA degree in Croatian and English Language and Literature from the University of Osijek, Croatia. I am generally fascinated by languages and enjoy learning (about) them. I have a 5-year long experience in teaching English for Specific Purposes at high school and college-level, and Croatian as Second and Foreign Language at university-level. During my studies I have participated in ERASMUS and CEEPUS exchange programs as a visiting student at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland and at the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

My main fields of scientific interest are (critical) discourse analysis, sociolinguistics, and second language acquisition, and I am especially intrigued by the interconnectedness of language and identity in the context of migration and language learning. In my PhD research I focus on the discursive construction of identity in narratives of personal experience told by females who emigrated from Croatia in the 2010s. I am investigating how they structure these narratives to position themselves and other social actors within the spatial, temporal, and social settings of the migrant experience. Based on linguistic devices used to construct and negotiate identity categories on the discursive level, my aim is to describe some salient characteristics of immigrant discourse.

I love Pink Floyd, nature, and animals. I have a gorgeous chubby cat called Vida. My motto is Do what you can; when you can.

Marina Pražetina

2016-2017

Marina Pražetina, PhD Candidate at the University of Zagreb, Croatia

I am a doctoral candidate at the Department of Philosophy at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia. My research focuses on the trustworthiness of science in the nexus between science, society and policy. It explores the role of science in society and policy making in order to single out the conditions that are needed for scientific expertise to be trustworthy. Main area of my interest is in examining the relations between scientific objectivity and the role that social and ethical values, responsibility and research integrity have in the scientific process and it’s relation to the scientific policy advice.

Since the very beginning of the Horizon 2020, EU research and innovation programme I have been participating in two Horizon 2020 projects and working as NCP for Joint Research Centre, European Commission’s in-­‐house science service, Science with and for Society as well as Inclusive, innovative and reflective societies where I am also member of Horizon 2020 Programme Committee.

Marjeta Šinko

2014-2015

Marjeta Šinko, Research and Teaching Fellow and PhD Candidate in Comparative Politics, Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb, Croatia

After attending undergraduate courses at University of Zagreb (Croatia) and University of Hamburg (Germany), I graduated Political Science at the Faculty of Political Science Zagreb. Currently I am enrolled in the PhD graduate programme in Comparative Politics at the aforementioned Faculty where I am also employed as a Research and Teaching Fellow at the scientific project Elections, Parties, and Parliament in Croatia. I thought several seminars at the Faculty of Political Science (“Comparative Political Systems”, “Introduction to Political Science: Approaches”, “Academic Writing”) but also courses at the Centre for Women’s Studies in Zagreb (“Women, Feminism, Political”, “Sexual Contract”). Until this Fellowship, I was a recipient of scholarships such as Internationale Parlaments Praktika which allowed me to experience an internship at the German Parliament (Bundestag) and CMEPIUS/CEEPUS by which I funded a semester study visit to University of Ljubljana (Slovenia). Since my graduation I collaborated with the NGO Centre for Women’s Studies on numerous projects: Power of Female Politicians: What Do Citizens Expect and Perceive?, Women in Croatian Politics, AD ACTE – Anti Discrimination ACtions Toward Equality of Women and Men – just to name a few. I co-edited a book Gyné Politiké or about a Woman as a Political Citizen (Gyné politiké ili o političkoj građanki) and I am also an author of several scholarly articles and a dozen non peer-reviewed articles. Additionally, I was a presenter and/or an active participant in dozens of national and international conferences, seminars, round tables and work shops. I am a member of Centre for Women’s Studies, Croatian Political Science Association and two standing groups at the European Consortium for Political Research.

My doctoral thesis is entitled Formation of Gender Equality Policies in Croatia and Slovenia from 1990 until 2008and is envisaged as an analysis of the formation and development of gender equality policies in the aforementioned countries. The main questions to be answered are the following: What is the role of policy transfer, that is the adoption of policy solutions, from the European Union for the formation of gender equality policies in post-socialist political systems of Slovenia and Croatia? Is it plausible to argue that post-socialist countries ‘merely imported’ solutions in their quest to fulfill the criteria imposed by the EU without regard to national historical, political, economical etc. contexts? These questions touch the very core of policy transfer studies, regardless of the specific policy area one investigates. The aim of this thesis is not so much acquiring prognostic insights, as gaining an in depth knowledge of these two specific countries. Such insight will add to the growing body of work on EU policy transfer or Europeanisation respectively. Taking into account that Croatia is EU’s newest member, there is much to learn from ‘other paths taken’ during EU accession by Central European countries such as Austria but even more so from post-communist countries such as the countries of the Visegrad Group. I believe that a study visit at Wirth Institute for Austrian and Central European Studies will vastly deepen my knowledge on the subject as it’s primary dedication is to these countries. In the end and on a more personal note, I have to conclude that I am looking forward to living in Canada and welcome the opportunity to see it’s sights, immerse myself in it’s culture and meet it’s people as well as collaborate with the Croatian community in Edmonton.

Andel Starcevic

2012-2013

Research and Teaching Assistant in the Department of English, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb

PhD candidate in Linguistics, University of Zagreb

MA in English language and literature and Italian language and literature, University of Zagreb

After graduating from the Departments of English and Italian studies and working as a Business English teacher, I became a research and teaching assistant in the Department of English, University of Zagreb. My main research interests are morphosyntax and sociolinguistics, especially bi- and multilingualism, languages in contact/contrast and language planning. So far I have done research into the ways in which English has influenced Croatian grammar over the past decades, problematic areas in grammar for Croatian learners of English, and the multifaceted phenomenon of linguistic purism in Croatia. I have also taught a course in English syntax for undergraduate students, which has provided me with a unique opportunity to identify advanced learners’ problems, and has inspired me to develop more meaningful and thought-provoking ways of presenting grammar issues.

My PhD research focuses on the Croatian community in Edmonton. In particular, I examine the sociolinguistic factors behind the acquisition of English and Croatian, the interaction between the two languages in everyday use, and the language shift and the role of language in constructions of (national) identity. As the Croatian Research Fellow at the Wirth Institute, I also act as a liaison between the local Croatian community and the Institute. I have recently started teaching a Croatian language course for UofA students as a way to further foster linguistic and cultural exchange.

Being granted this Fellowship and the chance to spend a year in a new, North American academic setting has made it possible for me to meet people from all over the world and to expose myself to new issues and perspectives from various fields. My work is benefiting greatly from the extensive resources and organization of the University of Alberta libraries, and the welcoming atmosphere at the Institute and other departments. I am hopeful that my contact with the other fellows at the Wirth Institute will provide the basis for a career-long interdisciplinary network of colleagues in Central Europe.

astarcev@ffzg.hr

Paško Bilić

2011-2012

Paško Bilić, Croatian Research AssistantResearch Assistant at the Department for Culture and Communication, Institute for International Relations, Zagreb
PhD Candidate at the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb

As a research assistant at the Institute for International Relations in Zagreb, Croatia, regional and central European perspective is highly important for me. Having graduated from sociology and history I came to realize early on that central European countries share a close history, but also contemporary cultural, political and economic ties. Half way through the doctoral research fellowship, I can say that the Wirth Institute has strengthened that necessary point of view in an interdisciplinary environment. The scholarship provided me with personal and professional connections with young and senior researchers and colleagues, who are either from these countries themselves, or who have direct interest in this part of the world. It also, most importantly, gave me precious time and focus for my doctoral dissertation work, as well as the opportunity to integrate my research results and previous research endeavours. As part of the University of Alberta it also enabled me to cooperate with and present my work at various departments tied closely to my research interests. Among them, especially the Communications and Technology program where I was invited to hold a webinar and where I am currently organizing a course with the director of the program. Besides the possibility of cooperating with the University of Alberta, being in Canada, and North America in general, gives me a unique opportunity to apply for various conferences and events organized across the country and the continent.

pasko@irmo.hr