Head of the Laboratory
Assoc. Prof. Ivana Milković, PhD, Department of English Language Teacher Education, Head of the Centre for Research into Children’s Literature and Culture (CIDKK), Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb
Associates at the Faculty of Teacher Education
- Prof. Tamara Gazdić-Alerić, PhD, Department of Croatian Language and Literature, Drama and Media Culture, Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb
- Assoc. Prof. Sanja Lovrić Kralj, PhD, Department of Croatian Language and Literature, Drama and Media Culture, Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb
- Assistant Professor Nikola Novaković, PhD, Department of English Language Teacher Education, Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb
- Assistant Professor Jelena Vignjević, PhD, Department of Croatian Language and Literature, Drama and Media Culture, Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb
External Associates
- Prof. Robert Bacalja, PhD, Department of Teacher and Preschool Teacher Education, University of Zadar
- Assoc. Prof. Tihomir Engler, PhD, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
- Assoc. Prof. Željka Flegar Jopp, PhD, Academy of Arts and Culture, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
- Sanja Ivanović Grgurić, Teaching Assistant, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
- Prof. Katarina Ivon, PhD, Department of Teacher and Preschool Teacher Education, University of Zadar
- Prof. Vjekoslava Jurdana, PhD, Faculty of Educational Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula
- Katarina Kolaković, PhD Candidate, University of Osijek
- Assistant Professor Irena Krumes, PhD, Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Slavonski Brod
- Berislav Majhut, PhD, Professor Emeritus
- Smiljana Narančić Kovač, PhD, Professor Emerita
- Assoc. Prof. Vladimira Rezo, PhD, Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb
- Laila Šprajc, PhD Candidate, University of Zagreb
Purpose and Objectives
The Laboratory was established by a decision of the Faculty Council on 25 February 2025.
The purpose of the Laboratory for Research into the Cultural Field of Croatian Children’s Literature is to contribute to the development and understanding of the cultural field of Croatian children’s literature through interdisciplinary research. The Laboratory was established with the aim of conducting systematic, interdisciplinary, and innovative research into children’s literature in the context of its cultural field.
In terms of research into children’s literature in the Croatian context, the Faculty of Teacher Education in Zagreb is unique in that it hosts the Centre for Research into Children’s Literature and Culture (CIDKK). The Centre emerged from the Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ) project Establishing Intercultural Links through Translations of Children’s Literature: Text, Context, Strategies (UIP-2014-09-9823 BIBRICH, project leader: S. Narančić Kovač). It represents a key research platform for connecting scholars, bringing together research groups, and further developing and promoting the field of children’s literature and culture.
The objective of the Laboratory for Research into the Cultural Field of Croatian Children’s Literature is to develop and implement a competitive research project (Croatian Science Foundation, Horizon Europe, etc.) focusing on the cultural field of Croatian children’s literature. The project will enable systematic research into children’s literature as a dynamic cultural, literary, and social phenomenon and contribute to the development of this field of research at both national and international levels.
Research
Research conducted within the Laboratory for Research into the Cultural Field of Croatian Children’s Literature will make a significant contribution to scholarly understanding, methodological innovation, and the social application of children’s literature in Croatia. The expected contribution encompasses several key dimensions:
1. Scientific contribution
- Establishing the first systematic research framework encompassing the cultural field of Croatian children’s literature through interdisciplinary approaches, including literary theory, cultural studies, sociology of literature, translation studies, educational sciences, linguistics, and related fields.
- Developing new theoretical and methodological models for researching children’s literature within its cultural context.
- Increasing the visibility of the research group and research into the cultural field of Croatian children’s literature within international academic communities.
2. Contribution to literary and cultural heritage
- Documenting and evaluating Croatian children’s literature as an important segment of the national cultural heritage.
- Developing a bibliography of Croatian children’s literature.
- Highlighting the roles of key authors, illustrators, translators, and publishers in shaping the cultural field of children’s literature in Croatia.
- Examining the influence of linguistic, social, educational, and political factors on the development and canonisation of children’s literature across different historical periods.
3. Educational and social contribution
- Improving university-level curricula by incorporating contemporary research on children’s literature and its reception.
- Raising awareness of the importance of children’s literature in shaping cultural and national identity.
4. Institutional and international contribution
- Strengthening the research profile of the Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb, as the only academic centre in Croatia where children’s literature is systematically researched.
- Establishing links with international research networks, institutes, and universities engaged in research into children’s literature and culture.
- Preparing for future international projects and collaborations with European and global research institutions.
