As part of the RETLAMI-SEE project, the University of Banja Luka (UNIBL) RMA and research team carried out a study visit to the Znanstvenoraziskovalni center Slovenske akademije znanosti in umetnosti (ZRC SAZU) partner institution in Ljubljana, in the period from 15 do 17 December 2025, focusing on deepening methodological expertise and advancing shared understandings of research support and evaluation.
The programme opened with sessions by Miha Peče and Miha Seručnik on research data management and open science, including Slovenia’s framework for data stewardship, infrastructure building and practical tools like repositories, SPOZNAJ project and Data Management Plans. Project team attended compelling lecture by Dr Rory Archer, at the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana on entrepreneurship and migration in socialist Yugoslavia using archival and oral sources to illustrate historical contexts and methodological triangulation. At the end of the first day, Dr Katja Kobolt shared her experience on Data Management Plan through her own Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions project workflow, highlighting real-world data challenges.
The second day featured an advanced workshop on ethnographic methods in migration research, where participants (Dr Tanja Petrović, Dr Ana Hofman, Dr Nejra Čengić, Dr Rory Archer, and Dr Martina Bofulin) explored how qualitative tools — interviews, participant observation, oral history and sensory ethnography — can illuminate complex social processes. In the afternoon, Mimi Urbanc’s and Aleš Pogačnik’s session on COARA & DORA unpacked the evolution of research assessment frameworks. The DORA Declaration was introduced as a landmark call for valuing quality over quantity in scholarly output, while COARA was presented as its more inclusive successor — emphasising holistic evaluation that recognises multilingual outputs, diverse career paths, and inclusive research contributions. The group discussed the challenges and debates around shifting evaluative culture beyond traditional bibliometrics.
On the final day, hybrid workshop with ESR’s and doctoral candidates from UNIBL was held. Participants shared how involvement in project activities influenced their own research, writing, and scholarly confidence, and they offered constructive ideas for future activities. In the meantime, RMA team and ZRC SAZU project staff planned joint activities for the next stage of the project. Mentoring session beetwen Dr Tanja Petrović, Mirjana Damjenić and Dr Dalibor Savić, parallel to consultations between Dr Bojana Vukojević and Dr Ksenija Bogetić Pejović rounded off the visit with constructive dialogue and guidance.
This study visit strengthened methodological understanding, advanced collaboration on research support practices, and deepened shared perspectives on how research quality and impact are shaped across disciplines.
RETLAMI-SEE team extends heartfelt gratitude to the hosts at ZRC SAZU for organising events, providing generous hospitality, and facilitating a productive and stimulating environment throughout the visit.
