Postdoctoral fellowship programme in Skopje
Postdoctoral fellowship programme at Center for Advanced and Postdoctoral Research at University Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje
My mentor at the doctoral study, Associate Professor Ddr. Metod Šuligoj, has forwarded me information on an exciting opportunity for further scientific development - the Center for Advanced and Postdoctoral Research (CAPRIS) at the University Ss. Cyril and Methodius (UKIM) in Skopje, North Macedonia, is inviting young postdoctoral researchers to join the postdoctoral fellowship programme. This involves developing and submitting an interdisciplinary research proposal focused on innovative social and urban models, intending to create a more sustainable global future.
This opportunity immediately appealed to me, and I was very thankful to my mentor for sharing his rich knowledge and experiences with different successful research proposals. This sharing helped structure my research proposal and the knowledge I gained from other professors during my PhD programme, Innovative Tourism, at the Faculty for Tourism Studies (Turistica), University of Primorska. I recently completed my PhD under the mentorship of Ddr Metod Šuligoj and co-mentorship of Professor Ksenija Vodeb, with the topic titled 'Attitudes of Local Stakeholders Towards the Development of Dark Tourism: An Example of the Heritage of Antifascism of Istria County'. While preparing a research proposal to apply for a fellowship award, I connected dark tourism—specifically, visitors encounter memories of death and the dead —with urban studies. I was excited about this new research direction.
The research proposal began with a comprehensive literature review, revealing a significant gap in studies exploring the intersection of urban and dark tourism, particularly in relation to how non-local visitors consume memorial heritage in capital cities. In post-conflict communities, the revitalization of public spaces often catalyzes the spontaneous development of dark tourism, enabling local residents to share their tragic histories, especially at memorial sites linked to past conflicts. A prime example of this phenomenon is Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, which endured a devastating siege in the 1990s. In Sarajevo's urban landscape, dark tourism not only heightens the local community’s sensitivity to its tragic past but also reflects the complex social environment that has emerged. However, despite its potential, dark tourism has yielded insufficient economic benefits and has contributed to the abandonment of urban areas by locals, as the adaptations made for tourists often prioritise their needs over those of the resident population. Concurrently, new tourism trends, such as gastro tourism, have begun to take shape, and tourism has been approaching strategically in Sarajevo. This context presents a unique opportunity to investigate how and to what extent non-local visitors engage with urban dark tourism in Sarajevo, which is the focal research problem. Addressing this issue could lead to valuable recommendations for managing urban dark tourism, based on non-local visitor perspective, whether that involves systematic support or reconsideration of its development. By analyzing social media content, such as reviews on platforms like Tripadvisor, created by non-local visitors, and employing the assistance of Computer-Aided Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS), the study aims to uncover insights into their consumption patterns. With this interdisciplinary and innovative conceptual and methodological framework, the proposed research aims to contribute to understanding Sarajevo's urban dark tourism while adding to the knowledge of urban dark tourism in capital cities and dark tourism experiences in general, which need more research based on specific contexts.
Due to the proposed research project summarised above and other scientific achievements, I was invited to an interview by the international CAPRIS UKIM Scientific Board members. As a result of the overall evaluation, I was awarded a six-month fellowship at CAPRIS. My research timeline is as follows: I am spending November and December of 2024 at this institution, focusing on my research with CAPRIS's scientific and technical support. This connects me with young researchers in Europe and beyond who are in the same programme and working on their research projects. In January, I will transition into the role of research associate, and CAPRIS will facilitate my visit to Sarajevo University, a partner institution. This opportunity will provide me access to their scientists' knowledge and a firsthand experience of Sarajevo's urban dark tourism.
The planned outcome of this project is to publish a paper in a high-ranking journal or present my work at a renowned international scientific conference. In these early phases, it is already clear that this research could be expanded by further analysing the dark tourism experiences in Sarajevo's urban area. This analysis would help understand how non-local visitors to Sarajevo's urban dark tourism can transform perspectives and foster tolerance, contributing to a society that prevents future tragedies.
As I approach the end of this short report, I would like to express my gratitude to the management and colleagues at the Faculty of Economics and Tourism Dr. Mijo Mirković in Pula, Croatia, where I work, for their understanding of the importance of developing young scientists and for supporting my stay at a foreign scientific institution. I am thankful to the academic and teaching staff of Turistica for their dedication to doctoral candidates, helping them develop critical research skills, embrace interdisciplinary solutions, and become independent researchers capable of impactful academic work in their future endeavours. Finally, I am also thankful to the CAPRIS management for recognising the value of my project and awarding me a fellowship.
It is fitting to conclude my report by noting that the people of Skopje are exceptionally kind and open. The local gastronomy is diverse and rich. I am particularly captivated by the city's multilayered architecture and the wealth of monumental forms that reflect its dynamic history and the interplay of various influences. Several museums in Skopje are related to dark tourism, as the local community collectively remembers the tragedies associated with the 1963 earthquake, alongside the history of the Jewish community that inhabited the city before the Holocaust and other tragic events related to World War II. Thus, significant opportunities exist for future research, which considers the sensitivities of the local community, and focuses on Skopje's urban area and the tourist consumption of its memorial heritage. I am also grateful to the CAPRIS management for their willingness to support my future scientific endeavours in this direction.
I hope this text motivates young researchers to pursue their ambitions, work hard, embrace challenges, and collaborate, as opportunities are limitless. I would love to share more about my experiences, so please feel free to reach out at any time.
Greetings from Skopje/Поздрав од Скопје!
Sanja Dolenec
sanja.dolenec@capris.ukim.edu.mk
Foto: osebni arhiv
