YugoLab brings together researchers from various disciplinary fields, who are engaged in (post) Yugoslav studies, democratic socialism, and contemporary identity politics. YugoLab strongly advocates for the social engagement of researchers through media involvement, participation in public debates and forums, and working groups focusing on public policies. Members of YugoLab believe that scientific research and professional knowledge should contribute to creating a fairer and more solidary society, while also addressing inequality and discrimination.

Members of YugoLab are actively involved in scientific research, publishing and presenting scientific results, as well as in public engagement, such as media, public forums, panel discussions, or debates on relevant social topics. Members of YugoLab particularly focus on three thematic areas: 1) (Post) Yugoslav studies; 2) Democratic socialism; 3) Identity politics.

 

1) (Post) Yugoslav studies

YugoLab’s (Post) Yugoslav studies concentrate on the cultural, political, and social dimensions of Yugoslavia and its heritage, aiming to illuminate the complexities of the Yugoslav experience and its enduring impact on contemporary social structures. The empirical research is interdisciplinary, employing theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches from the humanities and social sciences. YugoLab initiated a series of regional dialogues beginning in 2022.

 

2) Democratic socialism

YugoLab examines democratic socialism, exploring how the ideals of social justice, solidarity, and economic equality can be harmonized with institutions and practices grounded in participatory democracy, freedom, and political pluralism. The conference “Democratic Socialism: Yugoslav experience and contemporary reflections” along with the special issue of the journal Philosophy and Society (34 (4), 2023) titled “Democratic Socialism’ Reassessed: Insights from Yugoslavia’s Experience to Global Trends” (edited by Ivica Mladenović and Petar Žarković) summarize our most significant insights on democratic socialism.

 

3) Identity politics

YugoLab begins with the understanding that identities are complex and dynamic, with individuals experiencing identification with multiple (imagined) communities, such as country, nation, region, homeland, religion, gender, sexuality, class, language, culture, and profession. These identities may overlap, intersect, and sometimes be exclusive. Identity politics emerge from both top-down and bottom-up processes, influencing each other. Therefore, we investigate the (dis)continuities and mutual correlations of various identifications, as well as their relationship towards society, ideology and power. YugoLab leads the project “Imagining the Nation: Contesting Serbian National Narratives (XX-XXI century)” coordinated by Milivoj Bešlin and funded by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia through the Prisma Program (2024-2027).

Conference

Courses

Lectures

Book seminars

External associates:

Đureinović Jelena (University of Vienna)
Gužvica Stefan (National Research University Higher School of Economics, Sankt-Petersburg)
Kirn Gal (Faculty of Philosophy, University of Ljubljana)
Milošević Srđan (Faculty of Law, Union University)
Pantelić Ivana (Institute of Contemporary History, Belgrade)
Stanić Veljko (Sorbonne University – PhD student)

Media

Public debates; Roundtables

Policy Recommendations

EVENTS
ABOUT

Members of YugoLab are actively involved in scientific research, publishing and presenting scientific results, as well as in public engagement, such as media, public forums, panel discussions, or debates on relevant social topics. Members of YugoLab particularly focus on three thematic areas: 1) (Post) Yugoslav studies; 2) Democratic socialism; 3) Identity politics.

 

1) (Post) Yugoslav studies

YugoLab’s (Post) Yugoslav studies concentrate on the cultural, political, and social dimensions of Yugoslavia and its heritage, aiming to illuminate the complexities of the Yugoslav experience and its enduring impact on contemporary social structures. The empirical research is interdisciplinary, employing theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches from the humanities and social sciences. YugoLab initiated a series of regional dialogues beginning in 2022.

 

2) Democratic socialism

YugoLab examines democratic socialism, exploring how the ideals of social justice, solidarity, and economic equality can be harmonized with institutions and practices grounded in participatory democracy, freedom, and political pluralism. The conference “Democratic Socialism: Yugoslav experience and contemporary reflections” along with the special issue of the journal Philosophy and Society (34 (4), 2023) titled “Democratic Socialism’ Reassessed: Insights from Yugoslavia’s Experience to Global Trends” (edited by Ivica Mladenović and Petar Žarković) summarize our most significant insights on democratic socialism.

 

3) Identity politics

YugoLab begins with the understanding that identities are complex and dynamic, with individuals experiencing identification with multiple (imagined) communities, such as country, nation, region, homeland, religion, gender, sexuality, class, language, culture, and profession. These identities may overlap, intersect, and sometimes be exclusive. Identity politics emerge from both top-down and bottom-up processes, influencing each other. Therefore, we investigate the (dis)continuities and mutual correlations of various identifications, as well as their relationship towards society, ideology and power. YugoLab leads the project “Imagining the Nation: Contesting Serbian National Narratives (XX-XXI century)” coordinated by Milivoj Bešlin and funded by the Science Fund of the Republic of Serbia through the Prisma Program (2024-2027).

ACTIVITIES

Conference

Courses

Lectures

Book seminars

MEMBERS

External associates:

Đureinović Jelena (University of Vienna)
Gužvica Stefan (National Research University Higher School of Economics, Sankt-Petersburg)
Kirn Gal (Faculty of Philosophy, University of Ljubljana)
Milošević Srđan (Faculty of Law, Union University)
Pantelić Ivana (Institute of Contemporary History, Belgrade)
Stanić Veljko (Sorbonne University – PhD student)
PUBLICATIONS
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT

Media

Public debates; Roundtables

Policy Recommendations

VIDEOS