Department of pedagogy, history and philosophy

Head of Department:

Snježana Dubovicki, Associate Professor, Ph.D.

Name and Surname	Snježana Dubovicki, Ph.D.
Title	Associate Professor
e-mail	sdubovicki@foozos.hr sdubovicki@gmail.com
Office	office number 58
Research interests	Her scientific interest is focused on curriculum research, teaching at all levels of education (with particular emphasis on university teaching and lifelong learning), creativity, self-actualization, emotions in teaching, methodology and qualitative and futurology research methods.
	Snježana Dubovicki, Ph.D., Assis. Prof., was born in 1984 in Osijek (Croatia). She got her Ph.D. in 2013 at Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb (Croatia) with the topic "Correlation between the Curriculum of Teacher Education and Student Creativity Development.” In 2015 she was elected as Assistant Professor. She started working at the Faculty of Education in Osijek at December 1st 2008. At this Faculty, she participates in the teaching of several pedagogical-didactic and methodological courses. She published a university textbook, two scientific monographs and numerous scientific papers. She spoke at numerous international scientific and professional conferences in Croatia and abroad (Japan, United Arab Emirates, Italy, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina). In 2017, during a study trip to the United Kingdom, she visited elementary and pre-school institutions. Within the CEEPUS program, of the academic year 2018/2019, she was a visiting professor for two weeks at the Faculty of Philosophy in Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina), where she taught Didactics to students of pedagogy, psychology, classroom teaching and pre-school education. Between 2009 and 2014 she was actively involved in the scientific project "Development of Creativity in the Life-long Learning of Teachers" (245-1221170-1063). In 2018, at the Faculty of Education and in co-operation with the Agency for Education, she organized an education class themed "Playtime in Teaching". She is a member of the working group for analyzing and preparing curricula on the topic of children´s well-being within the two-year project "Subjective child well-being in Croatia" (2018-2020) of the Study Center of Social Work (University of Zagreb, Faculty of Law, leader: Marina Ajduković, Ph.D., Full Professor with Tenure), in cooperation with UNICEF Office for Croatia, Children´s World: The International Survey of Children´s Well-Being (ISCWeB). She is a member of the Organizing Committe of Didactic Challenges II (https://didactics-challenges0.webnode.hr/didactic-challenges-ii/), Didactic Challenges III (https://didactic-challenges0.webnode.hr/). She was the executive editor of the journal Life and School (https://hrcak.srce.hr/zivot-i-skola). She is a member of the Croatian pedagogical Society (HPD) and the Croatian Andragogy Society (HDA). Since October 2018 she has been employed as Vice Dean for development and frofessional work by the Faculty of Education in Osijek.
List of publications	CROSBI Snježana Dubovicki

Members of Department:

Damir Matanović, Full Professor with tenure, Ph.D.

Name and surname	Damir Matanović, Ph.D.
Title / Position	Full professor with tenure
E-mail	dmatanovic@foozos.hr
Office number	27
Research interests	National history
	Damir Matanović was born on 25 July 1970 in Vinkovci. He attended primary school in Bošnjaci, and finished mathematical and IT grammar school in Županja. In 1996 he completed two-subject studies in comparative literature and history at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb with graduation thesis Everyday life in Slavonia in the 18th century. In 2000 he completed postgraduate studies of history at the Faculty of Philosophy in Zagreb with master's thesis Companies of Brod regiment. He defended his doctoral thesis at the same Faculty in 2003, mentored by Dr Filip Potrebica, full professor, titled Military community Brod at Sava. Social and economic structure of a military border city 1753-1848). Damir Matanović has been working for nineteen years in the system of science and higher education at the Croatian Institute of History, Faculty of Education of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek. He taught history courses as an external associate at the Faculty of Pedagogy of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Centre for Croatian Studies in Zagreb, Department of Cultural Studies of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek and Etvos Jozsef Foiskoli in Baja, Hungary. He also worked for the publishing houses Fraktura and Hena-com Zagreb as an external associate. From 1997 to 2008 he worked at the Croatian Institute of History as a postdoctoral researcher and research associate. He acquired the title of teaching assistant in 2000 at the Croatian Institute of History. At the same institution he was elected senior assistant, and in 2004 by decision of Scientific field committee for humanities – scientific field history he was elected scientific associate. By decision of Scientific field committee for humanities – scientific field history- he was elected senior research associate, and by decision of the Faculty council of the Faculty of education in Osijek he was elected the scientific teaching grade associate professor and the corresponding position for humanities, scientific field history, scientific discipline national history. He has been employed at the Faculty of teacher education, the legal predecessor of the Faculty of Education of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek, since 15 April 2008. Since academic year 2013/14 he has held the function of acting dean and since academic year 2014/15 of the dean of the Faculty of education.
List of publications (CROSBI link)	CROSBI Damir Matanović

Maja Brust Nemet, Vice dean for science, Associate Professor, Ph.D.

Ivica Kelam, Associate Professor, Ph.D.

Ksenija Romstein, Vice dean for study programs and development, Associate Professor, Ph.D.

Rahaela Varga, Associate Professor, Ph.D.

Antonija Huljev, Assistant Professor, Ph.D.

Name and surname	Antonija Huljev, Ph.D.
Title	Assistant Professor
e-mail	ahuljev@foozos.hr
Office Nr.	38
Research interests	pedagogy, socio-political impacts of music, history of Croatian literature
	Antonija Huljev was born in Osijek on November 22, 1987. She was a teaching assistant for philology an pedagogy at the Department of Cultural Studies of Josip Juraj Strossmayer University in Osijek (2013 – 2018). Since 2018, she has been a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Education. The areas of her scientific and professional interest are pedagogical axiology and the history of Croatian literature, and in a broader sense, pedagogy and literature. In 2009 she graduated from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek with a BA degree in Croatian language and literature and Pedagogy and in 2011 she became the Master of Education in Croatian Language and Literature and Master of Pedagogy at the same Faculty. In 2018, she completed the Post-graduate Interdisciplinary Doctoral Study Programme in Culture (Faculty of Arts and Literature in Culture) and earned a Ph. D. from the Doctoral School of Social and Human Sciences at the University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek (interdisciplinary field of science, i.e. interdisciplinary humanities and interdisciplinary social sciences). She has edited several conference proceedings and books, published several scientific papers in Croatian and foreign journals, and participated in several conferences in Croatia and abroad. So far, she has published three books. She is a member of the editorial board of the magazine "Vospitanie - Journal of Educational Sciences, Theory and Practice" (Republic of Northern Macedonia) and the magazine "Pannoniana" (Faculty of Educational Sciences, Osijek, Croatia). In the period from 2009 to 2010, she worked as a student in the library of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Osijek. From 2011 to 2012, she worked as a proofreader for the magazine "Military History" published by Večernji list. She is a member of the School Board of the Center for Education "Ivan Štark" in Osijek. She is also a member of Matica Hrvatska and an honorary member and professional associate of the Croatian Association of Prisoners in Serbian Concentration Camps.
List of publications (CROSBI link)	CROSBI Antonija Huljev

Višnja Vekić-Kljaić, Assistant Professor, Ph.D.

Name and surname	Višnja Vekić-Kljaić, Ph.D.
Position	Assistant professor
e-mail	vvkljaic@foozos.hr
Office number	49
Research interests	Preschool pedagogy Preschool curriculum Action research Project learning
	Višnja Vekić-Kljaić was born on November 2, 1967 in Osijek. She graduated from Dobriša Cesarić Elementary School in Osijek as well as "Braća Ribar" CUO Osijek and obtained the title of associate for preschool education. In 1988, she graduated from the Preschool Education study program at the Faculty of Education in Osijek and earned the title of educator of preschool children. She graduated from the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical and Educational Sciences, University of Mostar, in 2010 and obtained the professional title of Professor of Preschool education. She received her doctorate in 2020 with the topic Structural and Content Determinants of Early Childhood Education Curriculum at the Faculty of Philosophy in Osijek. He lives in Osijek with his wife and two daughters. From 1989 to 2021, she worked as a teacher in Kindergarten Osijek, facility "The Bee", in a mixed group with integrated English language. From 2021, she worked as a postdoctoral student at the Department of Social and Humanities at the University of Slavonski Brod. Since 2023, he has been an assistant professor in the scientific field of Social Sciences, scientific field of Pedagogy (scientific branch of Pedagogy of early and preschool education). Since September 2024, she has been emploided as an assistant professor at the Faculty of Educational sciences at J. J. Strossmayer University in Osijek. She participated in two institutional projects, Erasmus + mobilities, published several scientific and professional articles in magazines, scientific monographs and anthologies in the field of pedagogy, and participated and presented papers at professional and scientific conferences. She focused her research interest on the pedagogy of early and preschool education.
List of publications	Višnja Vekić-Kljaić

Pavao Nujić, Senior Assistant, Ph.D

Ružica Tokić Zec, Senior Assistant, Ph.D.

About the Department

In order to secure personal success, it is essential to keep up with the constant scientific developments and technological innovations. Therefore, the Faculty of Education recognises the lifelong learning as a form of social engagement with the increasing importance. The Department for Lifelong Learning was established at the Faculty Council on September 22th, 2010, and since October 1st 2020 it has been called the Department for Pedagogy, History and Philosophy.

Initiatives conducted by the Department are aimed at increasing the level of education of citizens: by presenting research results and knowledge dissemination. The popularization of science aims to raise awareness of the general public about the importance of knowledge in the changing circumstances of social and economic relations. Even if those activities are not part of formal education that ends with qualifications, they contribute to our visibility. By creating study programmes that enable employment, the Faculty provides the opportunity for our students to complete initial education and acquire qualification, or change their occupation, or better their skills. The pedagogical-psychological and didactic-methodological training, that has been conducted by the Faculty is an example of lifelong learning and education that allows students to master the knowledge, expand their abilities and improve the skills necessary for the teaching profession.

The principle of lifelong learning is also prescribed by the Law on Adult Education in the Republic of Croatia, which is based on the principles of lifelong learning, rational use of educational opportunities, relative access to education for all under equal conditions, autonomy in choosing ways, contents, form, means and methods of education. diversity and inclusion, professional and moral responsibilities of employees, etc.

The Department of Pedagogy, History and Philosophy is divided into two sub-departments: Sub-department of Pedagogy and Sub-department of Philosophy and History.

Sub-department of Pedagogy

Sub-department of Philosophy and History

Name and surname	Maja Brust Nemet, Ph.D.
Title	Associate Professor Vice dean for science
e-mail	mbrust@foozos.hr
Offices	Vice deans office and office no.58
Research interest	Pedagogy, Professional Development of Teachers, Teacher Competences, Classroom Management, School Culture, Projects in Educational Institutions, Methodology of Pedagogical Research
	Maja Brust Nemet was born in 1984 in Osijek, Croatia. She studied Pedagogy and Croatian Language and Literature at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek, Croatia, and she graduated in 2007. In 2015 she received the Ph.D. in Pedagogy from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb, Croatia, defending the dissertation Socio-Pedagogical Competences of Teachers in the Contemporary School Culture Curriculum. From September 2007 to October 2008 she worked as a pedagogue in the elementary school Josipovac. Since November 2008 she has worked as a Teaching Assistant, from July 2018 as Senior Assistant on the Faculty of Education, and from 2017 she has been working as the Assistant Professor at the Department of Lifelong Learning and Education at Faculty of Education in Osijek. She is an external associate of the Department of Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics at the University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek. She has participated in more than 20 national and international scientific and vocational conferences. In addition to papers published in the proceedings of conferences, she co-authored and published a scientific book and approx. 20 scientific papers.
List of publications (link to CROSBI)	CROSBI Maja Brust Nemet

Name and Surname	Ivica Kelam, Ph.D.
Title	Associate professor
e-mail	ikelam@foozos.hr
Office number	23
Research interest	Bioethics, ethics, philosophy
	Associate Professor Ivica Kelam, Head of the Department of Philosophy and History at the Faculty of Education, where he teaches the philosophy of education and bioethics. Since October 21, he is Head of Osijek Unit of UNESCO Chair in Bioethics (Haifa). In 2014 he successfully defended his doctoral thesis entitled Genetically modified crops as a bioethical problem. Since 2016 he has been Head of the Center for Integrative Bioethics at J.J. Strossamyer University of Osijek. He is the president of the Organization Committee of the Osijek Days of Bioethics, an international bioethical conference held in Osijek.
List of publications (link to CROSBI)	CROSBI Ivica Kelam

Name and surname	Ksenija Romstein, Ph.D.
Position	Associate professor Vice dean for study programs and development
e-mail	kromstein@foozos.hr
Office number	Vice deans office and office no. 44
Research interests	Inclusive education, rights of the children of incarcerated parents, early childhood intervention, societal learning/community knowledge, qualitative and cross-cultural research
	Born in 1997 in Osijek, where she has completed primary education, and high-school for nurses, and later Pedagogical faculty, course: preschool teacher. After that, in 1998., she enters Faculty of education and rehabilitation sciences University of Zagreb, course: educational rehabilitation. From 2001 till 2003 she worked as special education teacher in Centre for education in Osijek Ivan Štark, and from 2003 till 2006 in SOS children’s village int. in Ladimirevci (social care and service) as educator for children without adequate parental care. From 2006, ongoing, she works at Faculty of Education and teaches courses at preschool education program. Earned PhD in 2014, at the field of special pedagogy. In cooperation with Children’s ombudsman’s office in Croatia actively advocates and promotes the rights of children of incarcerated parents, and she has several keynote lectures on that issue.
List of publications (CROSBI link)	CROSBI Ksenija Romstein

Name and surname	Rahaela Varga, Ph.D.
Title	Associate Professor
e-mail	rvarga@foozos.hr
Room	63
Research interests	education, teacher/student/headteacher competences, lifelong learning, teaching
	Holds a Ph.D. in Education Sciences obtained from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at University of Zagreb, Croatia. Works as an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Education, University of Osijek, Croatia. Teaches pedagogy and didactics courses at the undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate level. Recent projects: Competence standards of teachers, pedagogues and mentors (2019 – 2022); Principal: a profession and a qualification, not a function (2015-2016); Necessity to modify students’ status in and outside classroom (2009 – 2014). Regularly takes part in international conferences in the country and abroad, has (co-)authored a couple of books and over thirty research papers. Speaks Croatian, English and German.
Publications	CROSBI Rahaela Varga

Name and surname	Pavao Nujić
Title	Senior Assistant
e-mail	pnujic@foozos.hr, pavao.nujic@gmail.com
Office Nr.	57
Research interests	Slavonian and Syrmian military frontier, military history of eastern Croatia.
	Graduated history and pedagogy from Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Osijek in 2014 with highest honors (summa cum laude). Continued his education on postgraduate doctoral study of history at Center for Croatian Studies on University of Zagreb. His area of doctoral research is Petrovaradin Regiment in the 18th Century. Since 2015 is at position of teaching and research assistant at Faculty of Education Osijek. He is involved in conducting the classes in the following subjects: Croatian history, Local history, Cultural history of Croatia, Croatian national heritage, History of education and History of the enviornment.
List of publications (CROSBI link)	CROSBI Pavao Nujić

Department of pedagogy, history and philosophy

Head of Department:

Members of Department:

About the Department

Sub-department of pedagogy

Sub-department of philosophy and history

Name and surname	Ružica Tokić Zec, Ph.D.
Title	Senior Assistant
e-mail	rtokic@foozos.hr
Office Nr.	38
Research interests	Culture of educational institution, Family pedagogy, Parenting
	Ružica Tokić Zec graduated in 2013 at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek and obtained a master's degree of Education in English Language and Literature and a Master's degree in Pedagogy. In 2021, she received the PhD from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Osijek with the topic Preschool teachers, primary school teachers and university instructors' perceptions on organizational culture in educational institutions as the first in the generation. Since 2012, she has run early English language programs for preschool children. From 2014 to 2015, she worked as a pedagogue at the Elementary School "Tin Ujević" in Osijek and passed the professional exam for an expert associate pedagogue. Since 2015, she has been teaching courses in the field of pedagogy (Pedagogy, General Pedagogy, Family Education and Partnership with Parents, Parenting, Final Paper Methodology) at the Faculty of Education in Osijek. In 2016, she received UNESCO scholarship and participated in the 10th International Summer School - The contemporary problems of children and childhood in multicultural societies - theory, research, praxis in Warsaw, Poland. She has published scientific and professional papers and participated in several international and domestic scientific and professional conferences.
List of publications (CROSBI link)	CROSBI Ružica Tokić