Projects / Programmes
Ethnic and minority studies and the Slovene studies (Slovene national question)
January 1, 2020
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.11.02 |
Social sciences |
Ethnic studies |
Ethnic studies - humanistic aspect |
| 6.05.01 |
Humanities |
Linguistics |
Languages - research |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S000 |
Social sciences |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 5.04 |
Social Sciences |
Sociology |
| 6.02 |
Humanities |
Languages and Literature |
ethnicity, minority issues, human rights, the Slovene national question, nation state, nationalism, minority protection, integration, borders, borderliness, migration, languages in contact, interculturalism, transculturalism, diversity management, inclusion, memory, Alps-Adriatic
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 28, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
46 |
63 |
52 |
1.13 |
| Scopus |
125 |
323 |
266 |
2.13 |
Researchers (21)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0507 |
Institute for Ethnic Studies |
Ljubljana |
5051517000 |
4,514 |
Abstract
Over the last decade, complex multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary thematic sets and approaches have been developed within the Research Programme (RP), which – taking into account the current social situation, the processes and trends of development and the evolution of social and humanistic sciences – are being constantly upgraded and supplemented with new theoretical bases and topical research content. In addition, new research approaches and (multi-, trans- and interdisciplinary) methods relevant for studying complex phenomena that mainly arise from methodological pluralism are being promoted.
Considering the above and its social relevance, the RP further pursues the following thematic sets: (I) the Slovene national question, (ii) minority studies, (iii) ethnicity, nationalism and borderliness, and (iv) diversity management. In the light of developments and trends, these sets will be complemented with current topics and upgraded with new theoretical and methodological findings that allow for the implementation of multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches corresponding to the complexity of the studied phenomena.
Within the framework of the mentioned thematic sets, special attention will be paid to the following topics: (a) analysis of minority, migration and integration law, policies and strategies, (b) national/ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity of the population in Slovenia, (c) Slovene minorities in neighbouring countries, (d) the Roma minority in Slovenia, (e) processes and dimensions of the social integration of immigrants, (f) demographic and migration processes, and (g) continuous inclusive open dialogue and management of (social) relations and crises.
In the framework of the above themes and topics, attention is devoted to the processes and dynamics of ethnic relations, the increasing diversity of societies, the processes of identity and their transformation, transnationalisation and transculturalism, borders and borderliness, intensified internal and international migrations and migration within the EU, ethnic and minority policies, human and minority rights, evolution of citizenship, legal protection of traditional national and new minorities, legal, economic and social status of minority and marginalised communities and their members, and their voluntary and full integration.
The basic objectives of the RP are (a) to contribute to the development of Slovene and global theoretical and empirical science in the field of ethnic studies and to the development of original data bases; and (b) to contribute to the social development of Slovenia and the wider region by producing original scientific results that can contribute to social peace and stability in plural modern societies, which must be based on equal inclusion, integration, protection and participation of all minority and majority communities and members thereof.
Significance for science
According to research, ethnicity and minority issues have been considered important dimensions of the complexity of societies and factors of historical development for at least two centuries. Ethnicity is an important factor and layer of human identity, while the study of ethnicity and minority issues is key for the development of the socio-humanistic scientific thought of this century. Economy and economic development, globalisation, internationalisation, integration processes, new technologies and mobility increase border crossing and undermine specific segments of the concept of nation state, although the latter still prevails in the international community, which is based on Westphalian and Versailles principles. This results in inadequate ethnic, minority and (im)migration strategies and policies of individual states and the EU.
In Europe, there are over 300 different ethnic/national, religious and cultural-linguistic minority groups with 104 million members, which requires the states, societies and science to devote considerable attention to ethnicity and minority issues. Owing to a solid theoretical and epistemological basis and, above all, production of knowledge with high interpretative and applicative potential, ethnic and minority studies importantly contribute to the study and understanding of current complex phenomena, topics and issues, such as: (inter) ethnic relations and their social and political implications; political and legal perception and management of diversity; majority societies and minorities, the relations between them, majority and minority issues; (individual and collective) identities and identity processes; direct and indirect discrimination, xenophobia and racism; inclusion, integration and integration policy; borders and borderliness; transnationality and transculturalism, identities that reach beyond the borders between states and nations; migration.
Successful research requires cooperation with research, scientific and higher education institutions that study such topics in Slovenia and abroad. For a broad dissemination of research results and findings of the RP, it is important to cooperate with the relevant national and public institutions and international organisations.
The RP also contributes to the development of standards of international legal protection of minorities and human rights (e.g. the Bolzano/Bozen recommendations by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities) and of national minority policies and protection (e.g. in Albania, Croatia, Serbia), thus enhancing the role of Slovenia’s science within international frameworks.
With its research, the RP develops databases of relevant primary data and contributes to theoretical production, which enables the development and testing of research hypotheses and the upgrading and development of methodology, theory and theoretical models. The basic research production provides grounds for applied and targeted research, for counselling and professional work, and for the development of educational programmes. The research relevance of the RP is confirmed by the overview of recent scientific and professional literature and of the relevant projects and programmes, as well as by the bibliographies of its members.
Ethnic and minority studies and diversity management are multi-, trans- and interdisciplinary areas that require innovative improvements in terms of research approaches and methodology of qualitative and quantitative research. The multidisciplinary structure of RP members enables the overcoming of traditional disciplinary approaches, a more comprehensive investigation of complex phenomena, as well as comparison and mutual confirmation of research results and findings by constant appraisal of research approaches and objectives of individual disciplines.
The approach of interweaving the methodological and theoretical apparatus has proved to be internationally successful in studying the above scientific and research topics. Emp
Significance for the country
The research and scientific work of the RP contributes to the development of minority and ethnic studies, the study of the national question, and the management of diversity. New findings in such regard are useful both directly and indirectly. State and public institutions and the private sphere, as well as the EU and its institutions and international organisations, can use such findings as professional and scientific bases for their work. Specific solutions and proposals can serve as useful social innovations in areas such as diversity management – including the management of ethnic relations, prevention, management and resolution of crises and conflicts, minority protection and minority policies, migration policies, integration policies, prevention of discrimination and anti-discrimination policies, management of the relations between the centre and the periphery, multiculturalism and interculturalism, the establishment and development of functional links and the accessibility and quality of different services in national and European frameworks, balanced and sustainable development. Researching and realising the objectives set by the RP also contributes to the preservation and development of cultural and historical heritage.
The RP directly contributes to strengthening the common Slovenian cultural space, which includes Slovenes, the Slovenes living in neighbouring countries, and Slovene emigrants and expatriates. The results and research of the RP influence the promotion and recognition of the Slovene social reality, culture and language in a globalised world. RP members participate in the drafting of important political and legal documents in Slovenia that relate to the issues concerned.
A direct contribution of the RP to the socio-economic and cultural development of Slovenia is seen in the development of human resources, which can be measured by the growth of research and scientific potentials of its members and their continuous training. A contribution to the development of human resources is also the transfer of the programme group’s research results into educational programmes and in the programmes of the first, second and third Bologna cycles at the Universities of Ljubljana and Maribor, the University of Primorska and the New University.
The proposed interdisciplinary programme has numerous multiplying effects on socio-economic development in general. On the one hand, it offers social innovations aimed at improving the educational, social and overall demographic structure of certain population groups, while on the other hand, it has a national economic impact, such as the indirect impact on economic efficiency and on the economy of use of public funds, thanks to the skills and competences of the programme group members (e.g. the increased involvement of minorities in the labour market affects the level of public expenditure; the professional qualifications of the programme group members can exceed the scope of the programme, and can play a major role in advisory function, e.g. in the drafting of strategic documents and proposals for the correction of the inter-state border).
Due to the intertwining of the effects of the group's research results, the general socio-economic effects can also be relevant for the cultural development in the country. A significant impact on the social infrastructure is provided by the invention of educational incubators for vulnerable population groups (e.g. the Roma). Likewise, one can expect the RP to influence other vulnerable groups with specific needs (integration or inclusion of immigrant population into an equal life in Slovenia, affirmation of minority members).
The RP and its researchers have an indirect influence on and relevance for the socioeconomic and cultural development of Slovenia by providing expert opinions (on ethnic and minority issues) to various government offices and state institutions, by participating in public discussions and by preparing studies and expert as
