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At today’s press conference held at the National and University Library (NUK) in Ljubljana, this year’s recipients of the Zois Awards and Recognitions for outstanding achievements in scientific research and development were announced. Among them are four researchers from the Science and Research Centre Koper (ZRS Koper), marking an exceptional success and an important recognition of the scientific excellence and social relevance of the research conducted at ZRS Koper.
The award-winning achievements reaffirm the important role of ZRS Koper in the Slovenian and international research community, both in the field of historical research and in the study of pressing social issues related to migration and the integration of migrant children.
The recipients were announced at the National and University Library by Prof. Maja Ravnikar, PhD, Chair of the Committee of the Republic of Slovenia for the Awarding of Prizes and Recognitions for Outstanding Achievements in Scientific Research and Development.
Director of ZRS Koper, Prof. Rado Pišot, PhD: “We Are Proud of Our Researchers’ Achievements”
On the occasion of the announcement of this year’s award recipients, the Director of ZRS Koper, Prof. Rado Pišot, PhD, highlighted the significance of their achievements for the research activities of ZRS Koper:
“I sincerely congratulate all four award recipients. Their achievements demonstrate the scientific excellence and social relevance of the research conducted at ZRS Koper. We are proud that our researchers, through their knowledge and dedication, contribute to a deeper understanding of important historical and social issues, and that their work has been recognised as an outstanding achievement.”
Zois Award for Outstanding Achievements Presented to Prof. Borut Klabjan, PhD
Prof. Borut Klabjan, PhD, Principal Research Associate at the Institute for Historical Studies of ZRS Koper, has received the Zois Award for Outstanding Achievements in Historical Research on Borders and Memory in Contemporary Europe.
His research provides new insights into the impact of borders, political turning points and collective memory on relations between European communities. He has made significant contributions to the study of the history of Central Europe and the Northern Adriatic, particularly border regions characterised by cultural diversity and intertwined historical experiences.
Among his most notable achievements are his studies of the history of the Northern Adriatic region, fascism and anti-fascism, as well as his co-authorship of a monograph on the Narodni dom in Trieste. These contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of the region’s complex and multifaceted history.
By integrating political, social and cultural history, his research deepens our understanding of how societies relate to the past and how historical memory is shaped and preserved. His work extends beyond academia, encouraging public reflection on Europe’s shared history while significantly strengthening the international visibility of Slovenian historiography and its engagement in contemporary scholarly debates.
Prof. Borut Klabjan, PhD.
Zois Recognition Awarded to ZRS Koper Researchers for Developing a Child-Centred Approach to the Integration of Migrant Children
Mateja Sedmak, PhD, Principal Research Associate, Barbara Gornik, PhD, Senior Research Associate, and Zorana Medarić, PhD, Research Associate, from the Institute for Social Studies of ZRS Koper, have received the Zois Recognition for Significant Achievements in the Development and Scientific Foundation of a Child-Centred Approach to the Integration of Migrant Children.
The researchers have developed and scientifically substantiated an approach that places migrant children’s own experiences, needs and perspectives at the forefront of their integration into a new social environment. Their work is based on the observation that integration processes are often shaped primarily by adults, while the voices of the children directly affected by these processes are too rarely heard.
Within the framework of the international project MiCREATE – Migrant Children and Communities in a Transforming Europe, funded by the Horizon 2020 programme and coordinated by the researchers themselves, they demonstrated that taking children’s perspectives into account is essential for understanding their circumstances, well-being and successful integration into society.
Their contribution represents a significant methodological and analytical shift in migration and integration research. They actively involved migrant children in research processes as co-creators of knowledge, as well as of the practices and policies that affect their lives.
The researchers’ scientific findings contribute to the development of more effective and inclusive approaches to integration, while also promoting broader recognition of children as active social actors.
Barbara Gornik, PhD, Mateja Sedmak, PhD, and Zorana Medarić, PhD.
An Important Recognition of ZRS Koper’s Scientific Excellence
The fact that four researchers from ZRS Koper are among this year’s recipients of the Zois Awards and Recognitions is of exceptional significance for the Koper-based research institution. These awards and recognitions confirm the quality, impact and social relevance of its research activities and provide important encouragement for the further development of scientific research.
The award recipients’ achievements also reflect the breadth of research conducted at ZRS Koper, which contributes both to a deeper understanding of historical processes and to finding answers to contemporary social challenges.
Official Award Ceremony on 8 November at Cankarjev dom
The official Zois Awards and Recognitions ceremony will take place on Sunday, 8 November 2026, at 8:00 p.m. in the Gallus Hall of Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana. The ceremony will be broadcast on TV Slovenija 2.
At ZRS Koper, we are immensely proud of our four award recipients and extend our heartfelt congratulations on their outstanding research achievements!