On Monday, 19 January 2026, the Dean of the Postgraduate School ZRC SAZU, Asst. Prof. Dr. Jani Kozina, awarded six new Doctors of Philosophy their degrees as part of the third-cycle Comparative Study of Ideas and Cultures doctoral programme.
Vita Zalar earned her PhD in the Cultural History module with the dissertation Anti-Roma Racism and Punitive Governance in the Habsburg and Yugoslav Monarchies, 1848-1941.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr Oto Luthar; Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr Ari Joskowicz.
Dissertation abstract.
Lucija Mandić earned her PhD in the Literature in Context module with the dissertation A Computational Reading of Slovenian Narrative prose of the Long 19th Century in the Context of Literary Canonisation.
Supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr Andrejka Žejn; Co-supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr Monika Deželak Trojar.
Dissertation abstract.
Vilja Lukan Pišek earned her PhD in the Cultural History module with the dissertation Musealisation of Difficult Heritage: Concentration Camp Ljubelj at the Intersection of Museology and Memory.
Supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr Saša Poljak Istenič; Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr Oto Luthar.
Dissertation abstract.
Adriana Sabo earned her PhD in the Cultural History module with the dissertation “Me Fancy, You Nothing”: Mechanisms of Producing Empowered Femininity within the Contemporary Balkan Music Industry.
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr Ana Hofman.
Dissertation abstract.
Boris Mihalj earned his PhD in the Transformations of Modern Thought – Philosophy, Psychoanalysis, Culture module with the dissertation Thinking Play.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr Mladen Dolar; Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr Urban Kordeš.
Dissertation abstract.
Rok Mrvič earned his PhD in the Slovenian Studies – Tradition and Modernity module with the dissertation Swearing Forms in Contemporary Slovene Folklore System. A Folkloristic and Semiotic Analysis of Swearing.
Supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr Barbara Ivančič Kutin; Co-supervisor: Assist. Prof. Dr Saša Babič.
Dissertation abstract.
This year’s doctoral dissertations reflect the programme’s strong interdisciplinary orientation and thematic diversity. Topics range from cultural history and memory studies to museology, literary studies, folklore, music, philosophy, and social criticism. Together, they demonstrate the programme’s commitment to rigorous and critical research into complex cultural and social phenomena.
The ceremonial event also included a cultural programme. Maks Zakrajšek and Vitja Kovačević, students of the Academy of Music, provided the musical accompaniment, and their guitar performance helped create a solemn atmosphere.
We extend our sincere congratulations to all the new Doctors of Philosophy on this important academic achievement.
Photo: Marko Zaplatil