Academic Excellence and International Visibility of the Department of Political Science and International Relations at University SSST in 2025
Academic excellence, international visibility, and active engagement of students and faculty marked 2025 for the Department of Political Science and International Relations.
Throughout 2025, the Department of Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) at the University SSST achieved a series of significant academic and international accomplishments, further strengthening its position as a dynamic and internationally engaged program in the field of political science. Through the active involvement of both faculty and students in relevant international events, research initiatives, and cooperation with prestigious institutions, PSIR continued to consolidate its role within the contemporary European academic landscape.
Over the course of the year, PSIR students achieved notable international successes, including participation in prestigious international programs and institutions, while faculty members were recognized through international scholarships and research fellowships. The teaching process was further enriched by numerous guest lectures delivered by distinguished experts in the fields of politics, international relations, and security studies. This sustained engagement clearly reflects the three key dimensions of the PSIR program: academic excellence, international visibility, and strong practical and professional engagement with contemporary global challenges.
One of the most significant highlights of the year was the participation of the entire PSIR department in the international conference European Capital of Culture, held in Gorizia from 1 to 5 September 2025. The conference provided an important platform for presenting the academic work and research interests of PSIR within a broader European and interdisciplinary context.
A particular distinction was the role of Prof. Dr. Marko Attila Hoare, professor at the PSIR program, who served as a keynote speaker on the conference’s main panel, accompanied by simultaneous interpretation in three languages. This engagement further confirms the international recognition of the PSIR faculty’s expertise and enhances the visibility of the University SSST within relevant international academic forums.
As a direct outcome of participation in this conference, a special issue of the renowned international academic journal Southeastern Europe (Brill) was initiated, edited by Prof. Dr. Maja Savić-Bojanić, Dean and professor within the PSIR program. Entitled Aesthetic Politics: Art, Revisionism, and Memory in the Western Balkans, the special issue explores the political role of art in shaping collective memory, historical narratives, and processes of dealing with the past in the Western Balkans. It represents a valuable interdisciplinary contribution to contemporary debates in political and social sciences.
This academic milestone not only leaves a lasting research footprint through an international publication, but also reaffirms the PSIR program’s commitment to fostering critical thinking, research excellence, and active participation in global academic discussions.
