| Project name: | Narrativization of ethnic identity of adolescents from culturally dominant and minority backgrounds and the role of the school context (NIdEA) |
| Year: | 2023-2025 |
| Status: | National |
| Project coordinator: | Nataša Simić |
| Researchers (optional): | Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade: Danijela Petrović, Natalija Ignjatović, Jovan Radosavljević; State University of Novi Pazar: Milena Belić, Hana Sejfović |
| Brief project description: | This scientific project has the following aims: 1. Explore how adolescents in Serbia narrate their ethnic identities, 2. Determine if there are differences in the ways students from culturally dominant and minority backgrounds narrate their ethnic identities, 3. Explore ways in which schools (and the wider context) shape ethnic identity development and well-being of adolescents of different ethnicity, gender, and age. Practical aims are to map good educational practices and to provide guidelines for practitioners and policymakers on how to develop intercultural schools. The research will cover over 15 secondary schools in Serbia, and over 1200 students, 600 parents, and 400 teachers. Dissemination of the results will be done through scientific publications and participation in scientific and professional conferences, local community events, press conferences, participation in the media and social networks, and through policy briefs. |
| Link: |
| Project name: | “Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Educational Processes and Practices in the Republic of Serbia: Qualitative Research” |
| Year: | 2021-2022 |
| Status: | International (UNICEF Serbia) |
| Project coordinator: | Zora Krnjaić |
| Researchers (optional): | Aleksandar Baucal, Ana Altaras Dimitrijević, Danijela Petrović, Dragan Janković, Zorana Jolić, Ivana Stepanović Ilić, Ksenija Krstić, Marina Videnović, Milana Rajić, Nataša Simić, Olja Jovanović |
| Brief project description: | The project involved conducting qualitative research on educational experiences during the pandemic, which included focus group discussions with over 400 primary and secondary school students in Serbia, as well as interviews with 90 students from vulnerable groups, their parents, and teachers. The goal was to gain a unique insight into the quality and equity of schooling, the quality of peer relationships, as well as the role of the family in education during the Covid-19 pandemic in Serbia. The results of the project were presented at several scientific conferences, and the team works on scientific articles and monographs. |
| Link: |
| Project name: | Illumine – A community for exploring and sharing uses of evidence-based teaching strategies, LLUM (Erasmus+) |
| Year: | 2020-2023 |
| Status: | International |
| Project coordinator: | Nataša Simić |
| Researchers (optional): | Jelena Vranješević, Kristina Mojović |
| Brief project description: | This project gathers teacher educators, psychologists, neuroscientists, teachers, and other practitioners from Serbia, Estonia, Portugal, and Spain. The main goal of the project is to improve teachers’ competencies for teacher inquiry, usage of digital technologies and evidence-based teaching and learning strategies. This goal is planned to be achieved through teachers’ capacity building, development of the online platform for sharing examples of good practice and materials, and through the creation of an online handbook for teachers. |
| Link: | https://illumine.upf.edu/pg/lds/about_illumine/main |
| Project name: | RESEARCH ON CHILD DISCIPLINING AT HOME IN SERBIA |
| Year: | 2019 – present |
| Status: | National |
| Project coordinator: | Oliver Tošković & Milica Pejović Milovančević |
| Researchers (optional): | Institute for psychology: Ljiljana Lazarević, Ana Stojković, Marina Videnović Institute for mental health: Roberto Grujičić, Vanja Mandić Maravić, Marija Mitković Vončina,Jelena Radosavljev Kirćanski, |
| Brief project description: | Research aim is to explore attitudes towards violent disciplining and practicing of violent disciplining among professionals and on a nationally representative sample of parents of in Serbia. Besides that, we plan to investigate various socio-demographic and psychological correlates, as well as some possible outcomes of violent disciplining. 1186 parents and 234 professionals filled disciplining questionnaires, but also measures of personality, attachment and pathological symptoms. |
| Link: | The project is ongoing, a link will exist after the report is published |
| Project name: | Monitoring and evaluation of transitional model for inclusion of children older than seven and a half years into mainstream elementary schools (UNICEF) |
| Year: | 2019-2021 |
| Status: | National |
| Project coordinator: | Dragica Pavlović Babić i Nataša Simić |
| Researchers (optional): | Alekandar Baucal, Ljiljana Plazinić, Milana Rajić, Milica Vukelić, Olja Jovanović Milanović, Tinde Kovač Cerović |
| Brief project description: | Project aim is to monitor and evaluate changes in mainstream schools and the school Branko Pešić that have been a result of the interventions focused on preparation of children between 7.5 and 15 years of age for a transition from the school Branko Pešić to the mainstream schools and for their successful inclusion. |
| Link: | / |
| Project name: | OECD/PISA |
| Year: | 2001-2019, 5 cycles |
| Status: | International |
| Project coordinator: | Dragica Pavlović Babić,PhD |
| Researchers (optional): | |
| Brief project description: | Programme for International Student Assessment (OECD/PISA) examines whether students, aged 15 years, have acquired knowledge and skills necessary for further education, professional development and responsible participation in civil society. Achievement is assessed in reading, mathematics and science literacy. The findings provide insight into the quality of education and demonstrate the extent to which the education system encourages developmnet of key competencies. Sample: around 200 secondary schools and over 5000 students per cycle. |
| Link: | http://pisa.rs/ |
| Project name: | “Well being of adolescents on foster care in Serbia – Improving the quality of foster-care through generating knowledge and debate on the well being of adolescents in care“ (UNICEF) |
| Year: | 2018 – 2019 |
| Status: | National |
| Project coordinator: | Zora Krnjaić |
| Researchers (optional): | Zora Krnjaić, Marina Videnović, Milana Rajić, Olga Marković |
| Brief project description: | In collaboration with UNICEF and the Center for Research in Social Policy and Social Work of the Faculty of Political Science, this study aimed to gain knowledge about the well-being of adolescents, especially adolescents in foster care in Serbia. The Institute conducted a quantitative part of the survey based on a questionnaire given to students, in primary and secondary schools selected in the areas with the most children in foster care, and evaluation of professional associates from selected schools. On the basis of these results and data from the qualitative part of the survey, recommendations were made for improving relevant policies and especially the social protection system and education of this specific group of adolescents. |
| Link: | https://www.unicef.org/serbia/en/reports/advancing-well-being-adolescents-foster-care |
| Project name: | Toward ending child marriages (UNICEF) |
| Year: | 2017-2021 |
| Status: | National |
| Project coordinator: | Dr Marina Videnović |
| Researchers (optional): | Dr Zora Krnjaić, dr Ivana Stepanović Ilić, prof. dr Ksenija Krstić, dr Olivera Jovanović, dr Ivan Đorđević: Etnografski institut, MA Katarina Mitić |
| Brief project description: | Child marriages are considered a serious violation of human and child rights. In Serbia child marriages are common in Roma settlements. This study aimed to examine the dynamics of early marriages and assess the relative effectiveness of the piloted intervention program, designed to change the norms, attitudes, and behaviors which may be associated with early marriage. The quantitative research was prepared as a longitudinal study with repeated measurements. The first cycle of research was conducted in 2018, and the second in 2020, after the intervention was completed. |
| Link: |
| Project name: | SunStAR Supporting University Students at Risk of Dropping out |
| Year: | 2017-2020. |
| Status: | International |
| Project coordinator: | dr Ivana Stepanović Ilić |
| Researchers (optional): | Dr Marina Videnović, dr Oliver Tošković, dr Ksenija Krstić |
| Brief project description: | The aim of the Project was creating the platform for students under the risk of dropping out. The self-reflection tool (SRT) was constructed. After completing the instrument, students receive specific feedback and are referred to one of the 6 modules for training: motivation, resiliency, social connection, self regulated studying, managing the carrier and what if (for those who have made the decision to quit). Modules are developed based on the contemporary models of causes of dropping out and theories of electronic studying. |
| Link: | https://sunstar-eu.org/ |
| Project name: | ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACE) STUDY |
| Year: | 2017 – 2019 |
| Status: | National |
| Project coordinator: | Oliver Tošković & Milica Pejović Milovančević |
| Researchers (optional): | Institute for psychology: Ljiljana Lazarević, Ana Stojković, Marina Videnović Institute for mental health: Milutin Kostić, Vanja Mandić Maravić, Marija Mitković Vončina,Jelena Radosavljev Kirćanski, |
| Brief project description: | The ACE study aims in determining the prevalence of adverse experiences which are related to future health and problems in social functioning. 2792 persons from Serbia were interviewed, ages 18 to 65, chosen by the random walk technique. In addition to ACE questionnaires aimed for adverse experiences, risk behaviors and health problems, we also give personality questionnaires (HEKSACO, DELTA), pathological symptoms (TSC-40), and for attachment (ECR-R). |
| Link: | https://www.unicef.org/serbia/en/reports/adverse-childhood-experiences-ace-study |
| Project name: | Standardization of the ASQ for its introduction into the pediatric practice in primary health centres in Serbia and validation of standards for early childhood development in Serbia (Open Society Foundation, UNICEF) |
| Year: | 2017-2019 |
| Status: | International |
| Project coordinator: | Dr Marina Videnović (coordinator of the research team) |
| Researchers (optional): | Dr Ksenija Krstić, dr Ivana Stepanović-Ilić, dr Ivana Mihić (Faculty of Philosophy, University of Novi Sad), MA Milana Rajić, Prim. mr sc.med. Dragana Lozanović (Udruženje pedijatara Srbije), Prim. mr sc.med. Ljiljana Sokal Jovanović (Udruženje pedijatara Srbije), Prim. mr sc.med. Marica Milidrag (Udruženje pedijatara Srbije), Prof. dr Radovan Bogdanović (Udruženje pedijatara Srbije), Gabrijela Smiljanić, dipl. statističar (Udruženje pedijatara Srbije) |
| Brief project description: | The aim of the project was to standardize the ASQ-3 widely used screening battery for identify children who may be late in development or need a more detailed assessment. The battery has 20 questionnaires for ages 1 – 66 months. Each questionnaire contains 30 items in the areas: communication, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, problem solving and personal-social skills. Extensive research has confirmed the good metric characteristics of ASQ-3. The project enabled the standardization of this instrument, the creation of norms and investigation metric characteristics of the serbian version of instruments (Uzrasti i razvoj dece). |
| Link: | https://www.unicef.org/serbia/medija-centar/vesti/uvodjenje-upitnika-za-skrining-razvoja-dece |
| Project name: | Development of e-learning materials |
| Year: | 2017-2018 |
| Status: | International |
| Project coordinator: | dr Ivana Stepanović Ilić |
| Researchers (optional): | dr Marina Videnović, Kristina Mojović |
| Brief project description: | A curriculum for training students about classical and electronic textbooks was developed. Researchers and students together with the editors of the publishing house Creative Center created tasks for electronic tests of knowledge of students in the II and IV grade of primary school and conducted research with the aim of comparing student achievements in classical and electronic tests. A study visit to the Swiss textbook publisher Lehrmittelverlag was made in order to exchange experience in the production of electronic learning materials. |
| Link: |
| Project name: | Monitoring and Evaluation of Youth Employment Promotion Project (YEP) |
| Year: | 2015-2016 |
| Status: | International |
| Project coordinator: | Dr Ivana Stepanović Ilić |
| Researchers (optional): | dr Marina Videnović, dr Zlatko Bodrožić |
| Brief project description: | The project evaluates GIZ’s Youth Employment Promotion Project at several different locations in Serbia. Combining quantitative and qualitative techniques, young people, representatives of the non-governmental sector as well as other project participants were examined. |
| Link: |
| Project name: | Serbian Education for Roma Inclusion: Understanding and assessing teachers’ intercultural sensitivity in Serbia, (SCOPES) |
| Year: | 2014–2016 |
| Status: | International |
| Project coordinator: | Danijela Petrović |
| Researchers (optional): | Blagica Zlatković, Tijana Jokić, Bojana Dimitrijević, Milica Erić, Dragan Vesić |
| Brief project description: | This research project has been implemented in cooperation with Institute for International Cooperation in Education (IZB), University of Teacher Education Central Switzerland PHZ, and Teacher Training Faculty in Vranje, Serbia. Its aim was to explore Serbian teachers’ opinions and attitudes regarding ethnic minorities (with the focus on Roma), and show their connection to the development of intercultural sensitivity. Final aim was to use these findings and conclusions to provide recommendations for strengthening the efficiency of pre-service and in-service teacher training. |
| Link: | https://www.zg.ch/behoerden/direktion-fur-bildung-und-kultur/phzg/university-of-teacher-education-zug/research-and-development/izb-international-cooperation/projects/serbian-education-for-roma-inclusion |
| Project name: | Analysis of the factors affecting dropout from primary and secondary education (UNICEF) |
| Year: | 2013/14 |
| Status: | National |
| Project coordinator: | Ksenija Krstić |
| Researchers (optional): | Ivana Stepanović Ilić, Marina Videnović, Nataša Simić, Ljiljana B. Lazarević, Dragica Pavlović Babić, Olga Marković |
| Brief project description: | In collaboration with UNICEF, this study aimed to analyze and identify the social, school, family and individual factors that affect primary and secondary school dropouts. Field research was conducted, applying quantitative and qualitative methodology in 14 primary and 13 secondary schools and with representatives of relevant institutions. Based on the results of this study, recommendations were made for all relevant actors in the education system, and the project served as a basis for the development of a prevention model within the UNICEF project “Prevention of dropout of students from the education system of the Republic of Serbia” |
| Link: |
| Project name: | Images of intercultural education |
| Year: | 2011–2013 |
| Status: | International |
| Project coordinator: | Danijela Petrović |
| Researchers (optional): | Nataša Simić, Blagica Zlatković, Bojana Dimitrijević |
| Brief project description: | This research project has been implemented in cooperation with the Institute for International Cooperation in Education (IZB), University of Teacher Education Central Switzerland PHZ. Its main goal was to explore teachers’ notions of intercultural education and their intercultural sensitivity, and the ways they handle conflict between cultural heterogeneity, on the one hand, and the normative function of school, on the other hand. Interviews with teachers about a hypothetical dilemma were conducted and analysed, and the data was classified according to different levels of intercultural sensitivity (using the Intercultural Development Inventory). This has shown that teachers handle conflict differently depending on their intercultural sensitivities. These results have been used to create a “tool box” containing a range of training material for intercultural learning as well as easily accessible background information for practitioners. |
| Link: | https://www.zg.ch/behoerden/direktion-fur-bildung-und-kultur/phzg/university-of-teacher-education-zug/research-and-development/izb-international-cooperation/projects/copy2_of_images-of-intercultural-education |
| Project name: | Adult Life Entry Network – ALEN, “Empowerment and Activation of Young People in Disadvantaged Situations” |
| Year: | 01 October 2011 to April 2013 |
| Status: | International |
| Project coordinator: | Dragica Pavlović Babić |
| Researchers (optional): | Aleksandar Baucal |
| Brief project description: | The project was launched by the Government of the Republic of Serbia and realized in Serbia, Austria, Hungary and Croatia. The activities focus on preparation of young people without parental care for independent life, by increasing their activation, incentives and development of different skills. Obstacles to their active participation into the education system or the labour market were identified. Project focused on strengthening of partnerships between the ministries, state authorities, local governments and non-governmental organizations. |
| Link: | http://socijalnoukljucivanje.gov.rs/en/adult-life-entry-network/ http://familia.org.rs/aktivacija-mladih-za-izlazak-iz-nepovoljnih-zivotnih-okolnosti/ |
| Project name: | Strengthening structures for empowerment and participation of young people in Serbia |
| Year: | 2011-2012 |
| Status: | National |
| Project coordinator: | Dragica Pavlović Babić |
| Researchers (optional): | Zora Krnjaić |
| Brief project description: | The main project activity is the evaluation of the programs for the development and decentralization of youth policy implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Data was collected on the adaptation of programs to the needs of users, such as satisfaction with the developed and implemented programs, as well as the acquisition of knowledge about the sustainability of these programs and services. Respondents are beneficiaries of these programs aged 15 to 30, local youth office coordinators and members of the Youth Council. |
| Link: |
| Project name: | National Framework for Early Learning and Developmental Standards in Serbia (ELDS), Institute of psychology, Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade. Supported by UNICEF. |
| Year: | 2009-2011 |
| Status: | National |
| Project coordinator: | Aleksandar Baucal |
| Researchers (optional): | Ana Pešikan, Slobodanka Antić, Dragana Pavlović-Breneselović, Živka Krnjaja, Ivana Stepanović, Marina Videnović, Nataša Hanak, Aleksandar Dimitrijević, Darinka Anđelković, Snežana Nikolić, Dragica Pavlović-Babić, Olga Marković |
| Brief project description: | Establishing of standards for early development and learning that can serve as a basis for the development of future policies, measures and activities aimed at providing a quality environment for early development and learning of children in Serbia. |
| Link: |
| Project name: | The culture of critical thinking |
| Year: | 1999-2011 |
| Status: | National |
| Project coordinator: | Dr Dijana Plut, dr Dragica Pavlović Babić i dr Ivana Stepanović Ilić |
| Researchers (optional): | dr Jelena Pešič, dr Zora Krnjaić |
| Brief project description: | The project deals with the conceptualization of critical thinking and the development of scenarios for critical thinking classes aimed at encouraging these specific skills of critical thinking during the teaching process in the field of social subjects for high school students: Serbian language and literature, sociology, psychology, history and philosophy. |
| Link: |