RESEARCH PROJECTS
Ongoing projects:
Development of new methods for diagnosing and treating endometriosis
Title of the project: Development of new methods for diagnosing and treating endometriosis (endOMICS)
Principal investigator: Ass. Prof. Mario Lovrić, PhD
Duration: 1 November 2025 – 31 October 2029
Project team:
Ass. Prof. Jelena Šarac, PhD
Dubravka Havaš Auguštin, PhD
Summary:
The project aims to improve understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying endometriosis and to identify potential new biomarkers that could enable earlier and more accurate diagnosis. The research involves analyzing the metabolic profile of blood and the composition of the gut microbiome in patients diagnosed with endometriosis. Blood and stool samples are collected through simple, minimally invasive procedures, and additional data from medical records are analyzed—including clinical presentation, laboratory results, microbiological and imaging findings, intraoperative observations, and histopathological diagnoses. The results will contribute to a deeper understanding of the biological processes associated with this chronic disease and may support the development of new, more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
- DEVELOPMENT OF NEW METHODS FOR DIAGNOSING AND TREATING ENDOMETRIOSIS (endOMICS) / 2025 – 2029, Institute for Anthropological Research, principal investigator Ass. Prof. Mario Lovrić, PhD
Next Generation AI Researchers for Air Quality Excellence (NEXTAire)
Title of the project:
Coordinator:
Duration:
Funding programme:
Call:
Website:
Partners
Project team:
Summary:
- NEXT GENERATION AI RESEARCHERS FOR AIR QUALITY EXCELLENCE (NEXTAire) / 2025 – 2028, HORIZON EUROPE, HORIZON-WIDERA-2024-TALENTS-03, principal investigator Ass. Prof. Mario Lovrić, PhD
BONES, ISOTOPES AND GENES: HEALTH, DIET AND ANCESTRY OF THE ROMAN PERIOD INHABITANTS OF CROATIA
Project title: Bones, isotopes and genes: Health, diet and ancestry of the roman period inhabitants of Croatia
Principal investigator: Mario Novak, PhD
Funding body: Croatian Science Foundation
Duration: 2024 – 2027
Website: https://ancientromans.inantro.hr/wp/
Project team:
Summary:
The period of dominance of the Roman Empire in Europe and the Mediterranean is one of the key periods in the historical development of this part of the world. The structural political, social and economic changes brought about by the rule of the Romans had an exceptional impact on the demographic and population structure of the local population, the introduction of new eating habits and the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. In order to get a clearer and more detailed picture of the mentioned processes, this project will conduct a comprehensive investigation of human remains and material culture from ten ancient sites from Croatia, which includes archaeological-chronological contextualization, standard bioarchaeology, analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes, lead analysis in the organism. and analysis of ancient DNA and pathogen DNA. Through this project, for the first time, ancient populations from the area of Croatia are systematically investigated at the local and regional level using a holistic approach and the most modern analytical techniques, and most of the analyzes are carried out in laboratories in Croatia. The proposed research will fundamentally change our knowledge about the ancient inhabitants of Croatia, which represents an exceptional step forward in ancient archeology not only in Croatia but also in the wider European and Mediterranean context.
- BONES, ISOTOPES AND GENES: HEALTH, DIET AND ANCESTRY OF THE ROMAN PERIOD INHABITANTS OF CROATIA / 2023 – 2027, Croatian Science Foundation, principal investigator Mario Novak, PhD
Evidence-driven indoor air quality improvement – EDIAQI
Title of the project: Evidence-driven indoor air quality improvement – EDIAQI
Coordinator: The Lisbon Council for Economic Competitiveness ASBL, Bruxelles, Belgium
Principal investigator at the organisational level: Ass. Prof. Jelena Šarac, PhD
Funding body: Horizon Europe (European Commission)
Call: HORIZON-HLTH-2021-ENVHLTH-02-02
Website: https://ediaqi.eu
Duration: 1 December 2022 – 30 November 2026
Partners:
- THE LISBON COUNCIL FOR ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS, Belgium
- Ascalia d.o.o., Croatia
- WINGS ICT SOLUTIONS INFORMATION & COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES, Greece
- LEIBNIZ INSTITUT FUER TROPOSPHAERENFORSCHUNG e.V., Germany
- INSTITUT ZA ANTROPOLOGIJU, Croatia
- TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET GRAZ, Austria
- UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DEL MOLISE, Italy
- UNIVERSIDAD DE SEVILLA, Spain
- Srebrnjak Children’s Hospital, Croatia
- DEDAGROUP PUBLIC SERVICES SRL, Italy
- TALLINNA TEHNIKALIKOOL, Estonia
- LAB SERVICE ANALYTICA SRL, Italy
- NACIONALNI INSTITUT ZA BIOLOGIJO, Slovenia
- Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Lithuania
- REGION HOVEDSTADEN, Denmark
- Daikin Airconditioning Central Europe HandelsGmbH, Austria
- KNOW-CENTER GMBH RESEARCH CENTER FOR DATA-DRIVEN BUSINESS & BIG DATA ANALYTICS, Austria
- Institut za medicinska istrazivanja i medicinu rada, Croatia
- Thinnect O?, Estonia
Project team:
- Dubravka Havaš Auguštin, PhD
- Mario Lovrić, PhD
- Iva Šunić, PhD
- Anja Bošnjaković
Summary:
Indoor air pollution, an emerging threat recognized by European society, is claiming millions of lives annually. In the heat of current COVID-19 pandemic, elevated exposure to indoor air pollutants due to increased time spent indoors further faces a significant increase in negative effect on both physical and mental health and well-being not only in Europe, but also worldwide. When it comes to indoor air quality itself, serious knowledge gaps remain in understanding complex nature of indoor outdoor pollution relationships, pollution sources and exposure pathways, health effects of emerging pollutants, ventilation of indoor spaces on wide spatial and long temporal scales. This is mainly because air quality monitoring in European Union (EU) is primarily focused on outdoor air quality, which paradoxically is a result of regulatory target compliances, which is lacking for indoor environments. To increase the resilience of EU for emerging threats of indoor air pollution and to promote living and working in healthy environments, project EDIAQI aims at conducting characterization of sources and routes of exposure and dispersion of chemical, biological, and emerging indoor air pollution in multiple cities in EU. Quantification of the main properties of pollutants and processes that governs its fate in indoor environments will be investigated on two levels: a) the-state-of-the-art, small-scale, high-intensity scientific focus measurement campaigns; and b) long-term, large-scale monitoring of target indoor air pollutants. The chosen project strategy for developing, characterization, and deployment of cost-effective/user-friendly monitoring solutions, together with the-state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation will allow to create new knowledge on sources, routes of exposure, and body burdens of indoor multipollutant.
Completed projects:
Heavy metal: Rural and urban lead exposure during the Roman Empire
Project title: Heavy metal: Rural and urban lead exposure during the Roman Empire
Principal investigator: Mario Novak, PhD
Funding body: Wenner Gren Foundation, USA
Duration: 2023 – 2024
Project team:
Summary:
This project will examine the role of lead poisoning in rural and urban settlements within the Roman province of Dalmatia (Croatia). Scholarship surrounding the role of lead poisoning in the dissolution of the Roman Empire has generally focused on historical sources detailing the use of lead. This project will analyze the bones and teeth of non-adults to get a better picture on the role of lead in explaining the high amounts of pathologies in cemetery assemblages of this age group in Dalmatia. It will use a combination of chemical testing and macroscopic paleopathological analysis to answer the following questions: (i) is there a correlation between lead levels within dental samples of non-adults and pathological bone changes at a regional level?; (ii) is there a differential exposure to lead between rural and urban sites?; (iii) does a difference in lead exposure between rural and urban sites translate to a lessened correlation with pathological changes? This project will bring together prior research on rural/suburban/urban lived experience, research on the impacts of lead exposure and its correlation to skeletal lesions to understand how different groups may have had different exposures to lead and how they may have mitigated the impacts of lead poisoning.
- HEAVY METAL: RURAL AND URBAN LEAD EXPOSURE DURING THE ROMAN EMPIRE / 2023 – 2024, Wenner-Gren Foundation Post-PhD Grant, principal investigator Mario Novak, PhD
Individualized approach in the prediction of type 2 diabetes onset and development (IRI)
Project title: Individualized approach in the prediction of type 2 diabetes onset and development (KK.01.2.1.02 .0021)
Coordinator: Medilab ONE
Principal investigator at organisational level: Ass. Prof. Saša Missoni, PhD
Funding programme: European Fund for Regional Development (project no. KK.01.2.1.02)
Duration: 17 August 2020 – 17 August 2023
Partners:
Genos Ltd.
Institute for Anthropological Research
Project team:
Ass. Prof. Natalija Novokmet, PhD
Luka Bočkor, PhD
Vedrana Škaro, PhD
Petar Projić, PhD
Anamaria Blažanin
Lejla Ferhatović Hamzić, PhD
Summary:
The project is an industrial research aimed at developing an individualized screening service for high-risk patients, based on the plasma glycome. The final product will be a developed test with identified molecular structures that suggest the development of type 2 diabetes in patients with no signs of the disease. This product will predict the time period in which diabetes will develop from a pre-diabetes stage, and will include recommendations of “lifestyle habits” that permanently or temporarily delay the disease onset and development (dietary habits – preferably based on menus developed individually according to the metabolic characteristics of high-risk patients and physical activity/exercise). Through this project, glycan and protein biomarkers for the development of type 2 diabetes and the impact of lifestyle habits on the prolongation of the period in which the disease occurs will be investigated.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the determinants of food choice in the adult population of Croatia and Belgium
Project title: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the determinants of food choice in the adult population of Croatia and Belgium
Principal investigator at the organisational level: Miran Čoklo, MD, PhD
Duration: 2021 – 2022
Partners:
Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp
Psychiatric Hospital Ugljan
Institute for Anthropological Research
Project team:
Summary:
- THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE DETERMINANTS OF FOOD CHOICE IN THE ADULT POPULATION OF CROATIA AND BELGIUM / 2021 – 2022, Institute for Anthropological Research, principal investigator at organisational level Miran Čoklo, MD, PhD
Unravelling Data for Rapid Evidence-Based Response to COVID-19 (unCoVer)
Project title: Unravelling Data for Rapid Evidence-Based Response to COVID-19 (unCoVer)
Coordinator: PRINS LEOPOLD INSTITUUT VOOR TROPISCHE GENEESKUNDE, Belgium
Principal investigator at the organisational level: Miran Čoklo, MD, PhD
Funding programme: Horizon 2020 (European Commission)
TOPIC: SC1-PHE-CORONAVIRUS-2020-2E – Networking of existing EU and international cohorts of relevance to COVID-19
CALL: H2020-SC1-PHE-CORONAVIRUS-2020-2-RTD
Duration: 15 November 2020 – 14 November 2022
Partners:
FUNDACION INVESTIGATION HM HOSPITALES, Spain
UNIVERSIDAD POLITECNICA DE MADRID, Spain
UNIVERSIDAD DE NAVARRA, Spain
UNIVERSIDADE DO PORTO, Portugal
TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY DUBLIN, Ireland
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK – NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, CORK, Ireland
UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE IULIU HATIEGANU CLUJ-NAPOCA, Romania
UNIVERSITATEA DE MEDICINA SI FARMACIE GRIGORE T POPA DIN IASI, Romania
LUXEMBOURG INSTITUTE OF HEALTH, Luxembourg
UNIVERSIDADE CATOLICA PORTUGUESA, Portugal
TRNAVSKA UNIVERZITA V TRNAVE, Slovakia
INSTITUTO POLITECNICO DE COIMBRA, Portugal
SERVICIO MADRILENO DE SALUD, Spain
INSTITUTO INVESTIGACION SANITARIA FUNDACION JIMENEZ DIAZ, Spain
PANEPISTIMIO THESSALIAS, Greece
UNIVERSITETET I SOROST-NORGE, Norway
ISTITUTO DON CALABRIA, Italy
SCIENSANO, Belgium
HRVATSKI ZAVOD ZA JAVNO ZDRAVSTVO, Croatia
INSTITUT ZA ANTROPOLOGIJU, Croatia
BASKENT UNIVERSITESI VAKFI, Turkey
ST MARY’S UNIVERSITY TWICKENHAM, United Kingdom
AZIENDA ULSS 6 EUGANEA, Italy
KOREA UNIVERSITY, South Korea
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA BOARD OF TRUSTEES, United States
UNIVERSIDAD DE ANTIOQUIA, Colombia
ASSOCIACAO PRO ENSINO SUPERIOR EM NOVO HAMBURGO, Brazil
UNIVERZITET U SARAJEVU, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Project team:
Summary:
unCoVer is a functional network of research institutions collecting data derived from the provision of care to COVID-19 patients by health systems across Europe and internationally. These real-world data allow for studies into patient’s characteristics, risk factors, safety and effectiveness of treatments and potential strategies against COVID-19 in real settings, and complement findings from efficacy/safety clinical trials where vulnerable groups, and patients with comorbidities are often excluded. The network will facilitate access to otherwise scattered datasets, and build computational and analytical platforms to streamline studies on risk characterisation, and prediction modelling using standardised pooled data derived from real life practices. It will fill data gaps, unify current initiatives and create downstream exploitation opportunities for researchers and public health strategies to optimise COVID-19 strategies and minimise the impacts of future outbreaks.
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Projects funded by the Croatian Science Foundation:
Solidarity Economy in Croatia: Anthropological Perspective (SOLIDARan)
Project title: Solidarity Economy in Croatia: Anthropological Perspective (SOLIDARan)
Principal investigator: Olga Orlić, PhD
Duration: 1st February 2020 – 31st January 2024
Funding body: Croatian Science Foundation
Website: https://solidaran.inantro.hr/
Project team:
Anja Iveković Martinis,PhD, postdoctoral student, Institute for Anthropological Research
Duga Mavrinac, assistant
Orlanda Obad,PhD, scientific associate, Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Research
Nataša Bokan, Assistant professor, Department of Agrarian Economics and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb
Aleksandar Lukić, Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb
Valentina Valjak, Master of Geography, PhD student, Department of Geography, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb
Jelena Seferović,PhD, expert advisor, Institute for Anthropological Research
Domagoj Račić, MSc, Mreža znanja d.o.o.
Summary:
Interest (in practice and in academia) in the solidarity economy has increased significantly since the economic crisis of 2008, when many people personally experienced the inequalities and injustices created by the modern capitalist system. Although some such practices have been known since before (Laville 2009), after the crisis in the world there is a proliferation of “bottom-up” initiatives, social innovations, based on the principles of solidarity economy (Kawano et al 2009; Simonič 2019), and thus in Croatia (Sarjanović 2014, Orlić 2014, Gulin Zrnić and Rubić 2015). Solidarity economy initiatives are often covered by the somewhat broader concept of social and solidarity economy (SSE) (Laville 2010; Dash 2014; Šimleša et al. 2016), which is often perceived as a kind of “third sector” of the economy, aimed at more sustainable development in general and the correction of negative capitalist practices (Evers and Laville 2004, Laville 2010, Fonteneau et al, 2011). It also does not aim to be a mere corrective to the capitalist order but to create an alternative to the existing capitalist system. , production and consumption. ”(Bauhard 2014) This includes practices such as community housing, shared kitchens, knowledge and program sharing, workers’ cooperatives, urban gardening, community-assisted agriculture, ecovillages, ethical financing, alternative currencies, LETSystem. Local Exchange Trading Systems, ie local trade and exchange systems (according to Puđak 2010: 47)), fair-trade initiatives and many others.
The proposed research, by including an anthropological perspective and a diachronic view of the notion of solidarity in the pre-socialist, socialist and post-socialist period, aims to contribute to understanding the practices of solidarity economy in the specific Croatian transition context. The main research questions focused on questioning different and often mutually exclusive conceptualizations of solidarity in modern times, new forms of communities of practice and new ways of imagining communities and the perception of solidarity economy as a way of shaping the utopia of reconstruction. The research focus formulated in this way aims to contribute to the understanding of process and multiple group and intergroup dynamics of solidarity economy actors and to the theoretical consideration of important anthropological notions of solidarity, reciprocity and communities. Research on solidarity economy is important not only in the Croatian context but also on a global level, especially because this topic is an important combination of a complex area of scientific research (attempts to transform the dominant economic system through various social innovations) with social and economic impact. This project seeks to contribute to the process of theoretical reflection on the practices of solidarity economy, applying an anthropological approach aimed at understanding the meaning of these practices for communities (Grasseni 2013; Rakopoulos 2014; Rakopoulos 2016) given their transformative potential for the wider society (Laville 2010). The research intends to include the diachronic aspect of solidarity practices in the Croatian context, but also the analysis of contemporary phenomena. One of the planned results of the research includes the development of a model for the implementation of certain elements of the solidarity economy in public policies, and the project intends to achieve a certain impact on the development of the economy and society.
Prehistoric hunters and gatherers in Istria and nearby regions: patterns of life during the late Pleistocene (PREHISTRIA)
Project title: Prehistoric hunters and gatherers in Istria and nearby regions: life patterns during the late Pleistocene (PREHISTRIA)
Principal Investigator: Prof. Ivor Janković, PhD
Duration: 15 February, 2020 – 14 February, 2024
Funding body: Croatian Science Foundation
Project team:
Mario Novak, Scientific Associate, Institute for Anthropological Research, Croatia
Barbara Cvitkušić, Scientific Associate, Institute for Anthropological Research, Croatia
Darko Komšo, Director, Archaeological Museum of Istria, Croatia
Siniša Radović, Scientific Associate, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Croatia
Sanjin Mihelić, Director, Archaeological Museum in Zagreb, Croatia
Tihomir Percan, Archaeologist-conservator, Croatian Conservation Institute, Croatia
Zlatko Perhoč, Lecturer, Ministry of Education, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
James Ahern, Full Professor, University of Wyoming, USA
Rory Becker, Assistant Professor, East Oregon University, USA
Emanuela Cristiani, Assistant Professor, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
Marco Peresani, Assistant Professor, University of Ferrara, Italy
Federica Fontana, Assistant Professor, University of Ferrara, Italy
Ron Pinhasi, Full Professor, University of Vienna, Austria
Stefano Benazzi, Full Professor, University of Bologna, Italy
Summary:
The main goals of the project Prehistoric hunters and gatherers in Istria and nearby regions: patterns of life during the late Pleistocene (PREHISTRIA) are: 1. to gain a better insight into different aspects of human behavior in Istria during the Upper Paleolithic, 2. to compare these aspects over time (chronological dimension) and space (geographical dimension), 3. create a quality database as a basis for comparisons with simultaneous sites in the wider area and raise awareness of the importance of local archaeological heritage.
These goals will be achieved through interdisciplinary research and approaches, including: 1. archaeological research at two sites where indicators of human presence in the Upper Paleolithic period were found (Abri Kontija 002 and Ljubić Cave, both in Istria), 2. detailed analysis of archaeological finds from listed, as well as several other sites from Istria (Romuald’s Cave, Pupić’s furnace and Šandalja II) and sites from Italy (Grotta del Broion, Riparo Broion, Grotta Paina, Grotta Fiumane, Grotta Rio Secco, Ponte di Pietra, Grotta Trene, and Riparo Tagliente), 3. comparison with previously published results of analyzes of relevant sites in nearby areas (eg Dalmatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, etc.), 4. through an active approach to promoting knowledge about the importance of archaeological material and sites in public.
The research methodology includes archaeological excavations of two sites in Istria (Abri Kontija 002 and Ljubić Cave) during which samples for radiometric dating, sediment DNA analysis, geoarchaeological and other relevant analyzes will be collected. The collected archaeological material will be analyzed by interdisciplinary methods that include lytic and raw material analyzes, zooarchaeological analyzes, ancient DNA analyzes and ZooMS.
Rasvjetljavanje mehanizama rezistencije na terapiju raka debelog crijeva sa mutacijom braf pomoću integriranog -omics pristupa
Project title: Rasvjetljavanje mehanizama rezistencije na terapiju raka debelog crijeva sa mutacijom braf pomoću integriranog -omics pristupa
Principal investigator: Mirela Sedić, PhD
Duration: 2019. – 2023.
Funding body: Croatian Science Foundation
Project team:
Iris Car, assistant
Summary:
- RASVJETLJAVANJE MEHANIZAMA REZISTENCIJE NA TERAPIJU RAKA DEBELOG CRIJEVA SA MUTACIJOM BRAF POMOĆU INTEGRIRANOG -OMICS PRISTUPA / 2019 – 2023, Croatian Science Foundation, principal investigator Mirela Sedić, PhD
Health, cultural and biological determinants of longevity: anthropological study of development in old age (HECUBA)
Project title: Health, cultural and biological determinants of longevity: an anthropological study of survival in old age (HECUBA)
Principal investigator: Tatjana Škarić-Jurić, PhD
Duration: 2018 – 2022
Funding body: Croatian Science Foundation
Website: https://hecuba.inantro.hr/
Project team:
Nina Smolej Narančić, Institute for Anthropological Research
Ana Perinić Lewis, Institute for Anthropological Research
Luka Bočkor, Institute for Anthropological Research
Jasminka Despot Lučanin, Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb
Spomenka Tomek-Roksandić, Institute of Public Health “Dr. Andrija Štampar”
Tanja Ćorić, Croatian Institute for Public Health
Hrvojka Marija Zeljko, Warrington and Halton Hospitals, UK
Šime Smolić, Faculty of Economics, University of Zagreb
Summary:
Older people are a prime example of successful aging. Therefore, in 2007-2009, an anthropological research was conducted in Zagreb homes for the elderly and infirm, within which a wide range of data (survey, biometric, DNA samples) was collected for 300 people aged 85 and over, which form the starting point of the proposed research. The passage of time of 10 years from the initial research provides a first-class possibility to determine two key outcomes: the length of life of the respondents (and the extraction of a subsample of truly long-lived individuals) and the length of the period of their functional ability. Both types of outcomes represent endpoints against which all measured characteristics of the respondents can be assessed and those that mark successful aging can be detected. The aim of the proposed research is to comprehensively investigate the impact not only of individual biological determinants and health status, but also socioeconomic and psychological characteristics as well as the impact of personal history and cultural factors (attitudes, behaviors, habits) on the dynamics of aging. As part of the project, genotyping of the “longevity gene” and telomere length will be performed and a sample of young adults will be recruited for comparative genetic analysis. The frequency of risk variants of pharmacogenetically relevant ADME genes that may lead to adverse effects when taking certain drugs will also be determined, which, given the polypragmatism present in this age group, represents a specific practical contribution of the project. The research of the connection of the two key outcomes with biological, health and socio-cultural characteristics will be conducted by a multidisciplinary team of experts from different scientific fields (medicine, biology, anthropology, psychology, economics). It is expected that the proposed research on the phenomenon of longevity contributes to modern theories of aging, but also that it yields results that could have implications for gerontological and geriatric practice and for planning public health and social policies in the Republic of Croatia.
Reconstructing prehistoric (Neolithic to Bronze Age) lifestyles on the territory of Croatia – a multidisciplinary approach (PASTLIVES)
Project title: Reconstructing prehistoric (Neolithic to Bronze Age) lifestyles on the territory of Croatia – a multidisciplinary approach (PASTLIVES)
Principal investigator: Mario Novak, PhD
Duration: 2017 – 2020
Funding body: Croatian Science Foundation
Website: https://pastlives.inantro.hr/
Project team:
Jacqueline Balen, Archaeological Museum in Zagreb
Mislav Čavka, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb
Ron Pinhasi, University College Dublin, Ireland
Sarah McClure, Pennsylvania State University, USA
Claudio Tuniz, the ‘Abdus Salam’ International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy
Stefano Benazzi, University of Bologna, Italy
Tamás Hajdu, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
Ivor Janković, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb
Consultants:
Dragana Rajković, Museum of Slavonia, Osijek
Darko Komšo, Archaeological Museum of Istria, Pula
Domagoj Perkić, Dubrovnik Museums/Archaeological Museum, Dubrovnik
Natalija Čondić, Archaeological Museum Zadar
Hrvoje Potrebica, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb
Hrvoje Kalafatić, Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb
Summary:
This project will investigate a complex set of biological, social and cultural changes and processes that took place on the territory of the present-day Croatia between the early Neolithic and the late Bronze Age (ca 6000 BCE and 1000 BCE) through a comprehensive multi- and interdisciplinary study of human biological remains using a combination of conventional archaeological and bioarchaeological methods, stable isotopes, radiological and aDNA analyses, radiocarbon dating, microCT scanning, and geometric morphometric analyses. The project will involve 20 Croatian prehistoric sites with over 400 individuals (300 inhumation and 100 cremation burials). PASTLIVES project will address the following research questions: a) population movements, demography and social organization; b) population genetics; c) subsistence and overall health; and d) violence and conflict. These objectives and research questions will be explored by using two main approaches: regional (cross-sectional) and temporal (longitudinal), i.e. the project will establish possible regional and temporal differences between the prehistoric populations in terms of studied parameters such as average age at death, life expectancy, diet, and general health. All observed data will be compared in terms of sex, age and social groups in order to test whether any of these features played a significant role in the quality of life of the analyzed individuals. In order to get a better perspective the data obtained by this study will be compared with contemporaneous bioarchaeological, isotopic and genetic data from Hungary. This approach will enable a better understanding of various aspects of prehistoric life (and death) such as population structure, mortuary practices, violence, diet and mobility on the territory of the present-day Croatia but also in a broader European context.
Publications and presentations:
- Prehistoric massacre revealed. Perimortem cranial trauma from Potočani, Croatia, 2017.
- 19th Annual Conference of the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology, Liverpool 2017.
- 19th Annual Conference of the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology, Liverpool 2017. – poster
- 23rd Annual Meeting of the European Association of Archaeologists, Maastricht, 2017.
- 87th Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists
- RECONSTRUCTING PREHISTORIC (NEOLITHIC TO BRONZE AGE) LIFESTYLES ON THE TERRITORY OF CROATIA – A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH (PASTLIVES) / 2017 – 2020, Croatian Science Foundation, principal investigator Mario Novak, PhD
Impact of ancestry and isolation on ADME genes – the Roma example
Project title: Impact of ancestry and isolation on ADME genes – the Roma example (ADMEROMA)
Principal investigator: Marijana Peričić Salihović, PhD
Duration: 2015 – 2019
Funding body: Croatian Science Foundation
Project team:
Branka Janićijević
Nina Smolej Narančić
Tatjana Škarić-Jurić
Nada Božina
Matea Zajc Petranović
Ana Barešić
Željka Tomas
Summary:
Contemporary populations’ genomic diversity reflects past demographic and evolutionary events. Genetic distinctiveness is especially pronounced in isolated populations where the exchange of genes with other populations is minimal (e.g. Jewish populations, Saami, Roma, Basque, Croatian island populations) and where the increased frequency of otherwise rare, or private alleles, emerges. The Roma, transnational minority population of Indian origin is an example of a founder population with centuries long sociocultural isolation which left traces in their gene pool showing considerable differences compared with other populations.
The genes that significantly differentiate among populations are those responsible for absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs (ADME genes). The knowledge on their distribution in isolated populations is limited. Therefore, in this application we propose to study ADME genes’ polymorphisms through the analysis of ADME core markers and CYP2D6 and CYP1A2 genes in 300 DNA samples obtained from three Roma groups in Croatia.
The general objective of the project is to determine the variations of ADME genes in the Roma minority population of Croatia, in order to assess the extent to which the population history, which includes multiple bottleneck/founder events, isolation and endogamy, could have impacted this functionally extremely important gene family. Available data on the Roma populations, combined with our previous extensive research of the Croatian Roma, point to the specific demographic history and high degree of isolation between different groups, as well as to the practice of endogamy, making them a suitable model for this type of research.
In order to acomplish these aims we will genotype genetic markers – SNP or small InDel loci from 33 genes, members of the core marker list selected as the most important ADME markers (www.pharmaadme.org) and resequence CYP1A2 and CYP2D6 genes. We will use this data to define intra- and interpopulation structure and determine age of these new mutations in order to gain insight into their temporal and spatial characteristics. We will also conduct in silico functional analysis for new haplotypes and private variants.
We expect to find specific allele distributions of the investigatedloci within the ADME genes, landmarks that reflect the Indian origin of the Roma and the signals of admixture with the populations they came in close contact with during their migration from India to Europe. Our assessment of Roma’ unique genetic profile will contribute to the medical practice through the modulation of pharmacotherapy in Roma population. It will also significantly contribute to the field of pharmacogenetics in terms of information on the genetic variation in Roma, essential for the development of pharmacogenetic tests specific for this minority population estimated to around 15 million people. The results promise to highlight the population uniqueness in ADME genes and encourage similar research in other world’s isolates.
More at www.roma.inantro.hr
Croatian Islands’ Birth cohort Study (CRIBS)
Project title: Croatian Islands’ Birth cohort Study (CRIBS)
Principal Investigator: Saša Missoni, PhD
Duration: 2015 – 2018
Funding body: Croatian Science Foundation
Website: www.cribs.inantro.hr
Project team:
Noel Cameron, Loughborough University, School of Sport, Leicestershire, UK
Ellen Demerath, University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Minneapolis, USA
Lawrence Schell, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, USA
Sanja Musić Milanović, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Ljiljana Muslić, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Tamara Poljičanin, Croatian Institute of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia
Alen Šelović, General Hospital Bjelovar, Bjelovar, Croatia
Veselin Škrabić, University Hospital Center Split, Split, Croatia
Deni Karelović, University Hospital Center Split, Split, Croatia
Martina Šunj, University Hospital Center Split, Split, Croatia
Vesna Pavlov, University Hospital Center Split, Split, Croatia
Ivana Unić Šabašov, University Hospital Center Split, Split, Croatia
Olgica Martinis, Education and Teacher Training Agency, Zagreb, Croatia
Mirjana Turkalj, Children’s hospital Srebrnjak, Zagreb, Croatia
Denis Polančec, Children’s hospital Srebrnjak, Zagreb, Croatia
Lucija Zenić, Children’s hospital Srebrnjak, Zagreb, Croatia
Marcel Lipej, Children’s hospital Srebrnjak, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivana Banić, Children’s hospital Srebrnjak, Zagreb, Croatia
Jelena Živković, Children’s hospital Srebrnjak, Zagreb, Croatia
Sandra Bulat Lokas, Children’s hospital Srebrnjak, Zagreb, Croatia
Adrijana Miletić Gospić, Children’s hospital Srebrnjak, Zagreb, Croatia
Stipan Janković, University of Split, University Department of Health Studies, Split, Croatia
Deana Švaljug, University of Split, University Department of Health Studies, Split, Croatia
Ana Žižić, University of Split, University Department of Health Studies, Split, Croatia
Joško Sindik, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Perinić Lewis, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Dubravka Havaš Auguštin, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Natalija Novokmet, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Miran Čoklo, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Jelena Šarac, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Morana Jarec, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Matea Zajc Petranović, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Summary:
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is the leading cause of high morbidity and mortality, with enormous impact on population health and medical costs. Its prevalence is more than 30% in the general Croatian population and has especially high rate on Croatian islands, up to 58%. Specific features of the Eastern Adriatic Islands (EAI) (genetic isolates with high level of inbreeding, mixing traditional and transitional lifestyle and continuous depopulation processes) represent a basis for development of specific MetS risk factor patterns. This project is a pilot study with the aims to: assess the prevalence of known risk factors (biological, environmental and behavioral) for the MetS in EAI and nearby mainland area of the targeted Croatian populations and to use this information as a base to develop an intervention strategy. Population-based pregnancy and birth cohort studies are particularly salient for studying early origins of health and disease that begin in fetal life and infancy. A longitudinal approach will be used on a representative sample of 713 participants in each group: pregnant women and children in the targeted populations of island populations (Hvar, Brač and Vis) and nearby mainland area of of the Split-Dalmatia County. The outcome of the project is revealing the sets of relevant risk factors for the development of MetS in the studied Croatian populations. The long-term outcome is progressive development of a base for an effective intervention strategy, directed at relevant risk factors for MetS. The importance of the outcomes of this pilot study is developing foundations for a better focused population adjusted model of early intervention in the future. It will include a large number of relevant risk factors for MetS, which will contribute to beneficial public health outcomes. Knowledge and experiences, acquired in this research will contribute to the creation of programs for health promotion, based on the assumptions of the theory of planned behavior, taking into account local socio-cultural and environmental characteristics.
Povijesne perspektive na transnacionalizam i interkulturni dijalog u Austro-ugarskom carstvu (TIDA)
Project title: Historical Perspectives on Transnationalism and Intercultural Dialogue in the Austro-Hungarian Empire (TIDA)
Principal investigator: Anita Sujoldžić, PhD
Duration: 2014 – 2018
Funding body: Croatian Science Foundation
Project team:
Andreas Gottsmann, Austrian Academy of Sciences
Stefan Wedrac, Institute of Legal and Constitutional History, University of Vienna
Zrinjka Glovacki Bernardi, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Zagreb
Marina Rončević, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Zagreb
Krešimir Međeral-Sučević, Institute for the Croatian Language and Linguistics
Olga Orlić, Institute for Anthropological Research
Mirna Jernej Pulić, Institute for Anthropological Research
Josip Lah, Institute for Anthropological Research
Anja Iveković Martinis, Institute for Anthropological Research
Duga Mavrinac, Institute for Anthropological Research
Summary:
This interdisciplinary project aims to provide a new way of learning from the past about strategies used in the South-Eastern part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire to overcome social tensions as a potential legacy of intercultural dialogue in the present European context. It will explore how in the multilingual imperial space of intensive cultural exchange and economic mobility the interethnic and social tensions were shaped by (trans)-intercultural communication and practices, both from above and from below. It focuses on accounts of plural belongings and hybrid identities that are geographically grounded, socio-economically situated and embedded in cultural and linguistic practices manifested by multilingualism and intercultural competence of social scripts and behaviour. The project will cover spatially and regionally confined patterns of interaction in the Croatian part of Istria, and the cities of Pula and Zadar under direct Habsburg influence and in the cities of Rijeka and Zagreb, politically bound to the Hungarian part of the Empire during the period 1870-1918. The main strains of research will focus on uncovering discourses produced through three social spaces, those of institutions (administration and education), associations (cultural, sport), and those visible in everyday life, through consumption practices and tourism. The analyses will encompass social practices in different domains of life, symbolic system (focusing on language) and the use of artifacts, or material life. The specific objective is to provide a contrastive reading of Austro-German, Italian and Slavic sources illuminating both the established discourses of knowledge production, emanating from imperial centres of Vienna and Budapest, and the counter-discourses, and their reception by common people in the periphery.
ANTRONA - BASIC ANTHROPOLOGICAL TERMINOLOGY
Project title: Basic anthropological terminology (ANTRONA)
Principal investigator: Anita Sujoldžić, PhD
Programme: Croatian Special Field Terminology (STRUNA)
Project code: 07.01./22 HRZZ
Duration: 2011 -2012
Funding body: Croatian Science Foundation
Scientific area: Humanities
Key words: anthropology, holism, sociocultural anthropology, biological anthropology, biocultural, biosocial, terminology, glossary
Summary:
Basic anthropological terminology (ANTRONA) is a project of the Institute for Anthropological Research in Zagreb. In cooperation with the experts at the Institute of Croatian Language and Linguistics, the purpose of the project is to create basic anthropological terminology as a first step in the creation and development of Croatian terminology in humanities and social sciences, which have in the past decades been greatly subjected to anglicization. The project team will determine, choose and agree on basic terminology in anthropology as a unique humanistic discipline at the intersection of natural, social and humanistic sciences. The selected terms will be entered into the terminological base at the Institute of Croatian Language and Linguistics, according to the defined terminological principles. A special Web site will be created for the benefit of a wider public.
For more information about the ANTRONA project, visit the official website.
For more information about the STRUNA programme, visit the official website.
NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES, THEIR RISK FACTORS AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF ADOLESCENTS IN VUKOVAR AND VUKOVARSKO-SRIJEMSKA COUNTY
Project title: Noncommunicable diseases, their risk factors and quality of life of adolescents in Vukovar and Vukovarsko-srijemska county
Principal investigators: Saša Missoni, PhD / Miran Čoklo, MD, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb
Partner: College of Applied Sciences „Lavoslav Ružička“ in Vukovar
Duration: 2017 – 2019
Summary:
The main objective of the proposed research is to determine the prevalence of MetS and related non-communicable diseases, together with selected environmental risk factors in the area of Vukovar and Vukovarsko-srijemska County. It also aims at identifying the association between various risk factors for MetS: anthropometric data (together with indicators of body composition), sociodemographic data, data on socioeconomic status, lifestyle, dietary habits, indicators of quality of life and to determine differences in certain MetS symptoms in relation to variables such as gender, age, place of residence (urban versus rural), and level of stress.
- NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES, THEIR RISK FACTORS AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF ADOLESCENTS IN VUKOVAR AND VUKOVARSKO-SRIJEMSKA COUNTY / 2017 – 2019, Veleučilište „Lavoslav Ružička“, Vukovar; co-principal investigators Ass. Prof. Saša Missoni, PhD / Miran Čoklo, MD, PhD
Smart Integration of Genetics with Sciences of the Past in Croatia: Minding and Mending the Gap (MendTheGap)
Project title: Smart Integration of Genetics with Sciences of the Past in Croatia: Minding and Mending the Gap (692249 – MendTheGap)
Coordinator: CrEAMA (Croatian Eastern-Adriatic MIT disciplinary Archaeology Initiative)
(University of Zagreb Faculty of Agronomy, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Institute for Anthropological Research, University of Zagreb Faculty of Science, Croatian Natural History Museum, Cultural Centre Vela Luka)
Principal investigator at the organisational level: Prof. Stašo Forenbaher, PhD
Project duration: 1 February 2016 – 31 January 2019
Funding programme: Horizon 2020 (European Commission)
Call: H2020-TWINN-2015
Website: http://mendthegap.agr.hr/
Partners:
University of Cambridge (Cambridge, Great Britain)
University of Pisa (Pisa, Italy)
Project team: Petra Rajić Šikanjić, PhD
Summary:
This project is an innovative opportunity to mend several gaps in the research capacity in Croatia in Archaeology, Genetics, and other ‘Sciences of the Past’ by twinning a consortium of Croatian researchers (CrEAMA Initiative) with archaeological scientists from the University of Cambridge (UCAM) and the University of Pisa (UP). The project exploits location-specific advantages that arise from two crucial facts. Firstly, there is large number of archaeological sites and remains in Croatia that are relatively understudied. Secondly there is a group of researchers (CrEAMA Initiative) whose research capacity, impact, and grant success at the European level has not realised full potential owing to a relative lack of resources, coordination, and strategic planning. This project will unlock this latent scientific potential by developing multi-inter-trans- disciplinary (MIT disciplinary) expertise. Our ultimate vision is to develop a research group capable of using an MIT disciplinary approach to Sciences of the Past; this will be a powerful force for innovation and will contribute to resolving contemporary issues. This vision will be realised through support from our partners: the UCAM and the UP. Both institutions display success in Archaeology, Genetics and other Sciences of the Past, and have proven track records in applying for and completing EU-funded research projects. The first goal is to establish and integrate the existing MIT disciplinary scientific research community in Croatia. The second goal is to upgrade and intensify scientific research of CrEAMA Initiative by utilising recent methodological achievements in genetics (NGS) and other biological disciplines (GMM). The third goal is to foster integration of the CrEAMA Initiative into ERA. Our last goal is to commercialise and integrate the CrEAMA Initiative research with the needs of society (local community) at the local (Korčula Island), regional (Dalmatia), national, European (web) and global (web) level.
Integrated GWAS and EWAS of Cardiometabolic Traits in an Island Population
Project title: Integrated GWAS and EWAS of Cardiometabolic Traits in an Island Population
Principal investigator: Ass. Prof. Saša Missoni, PhD
Duration of the project: 2017
Partner:
Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Funding body: National Institutes of Health, USA
Summary:
The main objective of the proposed research is to determine genetic and environmental factors underlying the development of metabolic syndrome in the population of Hvar Island, which was selected as an excellent model for its long-term genetic isolation, the increased incidence of certain metabolic disorders and well-preserved genealogical records of the islanders. This study is a continuation of the project from 2007 and 2008 in a population of 700 of the same participants, and the goal is to compare the changes in epigenetic characteristics over the last 10 years (2007-2008. Vs. 2017). The collected samples will be analyzed for epigenetic modifications (epigenome-wide methylation analysis – EWAS) and obtained results will be integrated with the results of earlier genome-wide association study (GWAS), to detect a correlation of genetic and epigenetic factors that contribute to development of cardiometabolic disorders.
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Bilateral projects:
INVESTIGATING THE BIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION AND ITS RELATION TO ASTHMA IN CHILDREN
Project title: INVESTIGATING THE BIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION AND ITS RELATION TO ASTHMA IN CHILDREN
Co-principal investigators: Ass. Prof. Jelena Šarac, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research / Tomislav Černava, PhD, Technische Universitaet Graz, Austria
Duration: 2024 – 2025
Funding bodies: Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia and Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research of the Republic of Austria
Croatian project team:
Ass. Prof. Mario Lovrić, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Dubravka Havaš Auguštin, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Iva Šunić, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Anja Bošnjaković, MSc, Institute for Anthropological Research
Austrian project team:
Summary:
Contamination by biological agents related to moisture and mold increase the risk of respiratory diseases by 50% and it has been estimated that in the recent COVID-19 pandemic up to 15% of deaths were associated with poor indoor air quality and ventilation. Although it has been recognized as an emerging threat, serious knowledge gaps remain in understanding the complex nature of indoor-outdoor pollution relationships, pollution sources and exposure pathways, as well as health effects associated with indoor air quality. This project willl be conducted wiithin the Horizon Europe project “EVIDENCE-DRIVEN INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT – EDIAQI”(https://ediaqi.eu/). Institute for Anthropological Research will collect dust samples from the homes of 200 patients aged 6-18 years (asthmatic children and healthy controls) to retrieve dust microbiome data (the diversity and quantity of bacteria and fungi) from children’s beddings. The main goal of the proposed research is to use the generated raw sequencing data on dust microbiome (bacteria and fungi) and employ different bioinformatic tools and programs to evaluate the main sources and composition of biological determinants of indoor air pollution and to link the exposure to microorganisms to health-related outcomes. This will be accomplished by a joint collaboration between IAR and UT Graz, two partners within the existing EDIAQI project. The collaboration will include transfer of knowledge between partner institutions in bioinformatic analyses of biological determinants in indoor air pollution and their health-related effects.
- INVESTIGATING THE BIOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF INDOOR AIR POLLUTION AND ITS RELATION TO ASTHMA IN CHILDREN / 2024 – 2025, Znanstveno-tehnološka suradnja s Republikom Austrijom, Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia, co-principal investigator Ass. Prof. Jelena Šarac, PhD
From Ashes to Insights: developing standardized protocols for the study of cremated human remains in archaeology
Project title: From Ashes to Insights: developing standardized protocols for the study of cremated human remains in archaeology
Co-principal investigators: Petra Rajić Šikanjić, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research / Katharina Rebay-Salisbury, PhD, Department of Prehistoric and Historical Archaeology, University of Vienna, Vienna
Duration: 2024 – 2025
Funding bodies: Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia / Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research of the Republic of Austria
Croatian project team:
Daria Ložnjak Dizdar, PhD, Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb
Mateja Hulina, PhD, Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb
Austrian project team:
Lukas Waltenberger, PhD, Department of Prehistoric and Historical Archaeology, University of Vienna, Vienna
Summary:
Cremation as a funeral practice has been present in different geographical areas since prehistoric times. In certain periods, cremation was the dominant way of disposing of the remains of the deceased. Despite the large number of cremated burials in the archaeological context, their analysis, especially the comparison of different samples, is a problem. Namely, since there are no standardized forms that could be used in the archaeological and anthropological analysis of cremation burials, each researcher uses his own forms in the analysis. Since the prerequisite for a successful comparison of different samples is standardized data collection, with this project we want to propose patterns that would be used in the archaeological and anthropological analysis of cremated burials.
- FROM ASHES TO INSIGHTS: DEVELOPING STANDARDIZED PROTOCOLS FOR THE STUDY OF CREMATED HUMAN REMAINS IN ARCHAEOLOGY / 2023 – 2025, Znanstveno-tehnološka suradnja s Republikom Austrijom, Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia, co-principal investigator Petra Rajić Šikanjić, PhD
Mobility during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age
Project title: Mobility during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age
Co-principal investigators: Mario Novak, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research /
Duration: 2023 – 2025
Funding bodies: Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia / Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
Croatian project team:
Prof. Ivor Janković, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Mario Carić, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Lia Vidas, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Barbara Cvitkušić, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Slovenian project team:
Summary:
The proposed project focuses on two main perspectives – using modern analytical technologies, it will analyze the circulation of objects, raw materials and people, and at the interpretation level it will show changes and continuity in settlement patterns, social practices, technologies and material culture between the 15th and 5th centuries BC in the area between the Pannonian Plain and the Adriatic Sea. The project includes revision of previous knowledge, formulation of theoretical foundations, analysis of existing archaeological findings, verification of existing theoretical foundations as well as anthropological interpretation of the studied archaeological and anthropological findings. The project is designed to explore the current gaps in the knowledge of the said matter, and its originality lies in the use of a set of complementary and advanced research methods that will target the sources and chronology of these circulations in order to examine the nature and direction of the connections focusing on the considered territory, and on finally assessed the spheres of mutual contacts among late prehistoric communities in a wider area. This project will, for the first time, use a single research framework to examine a combination of data derived from archaeological and anthropological studies that are usually considered and investigated separately. A new interdisciplinary methodological approach will systematically address different material categories from a diachronic perspective in accordance with detailed archaeological context and using spatiotemporal modeling based on short chronological estimates to cover the period between the 15th and 5th centuries BC.
- MOBILITY DURING THE LATE BRONZE AGE AND EARLY IRON AGE / 2023 – 2025, Znanstveno-tehnološka suradnja s Republikom Slovenijom, Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia, co-principal investigator Mario Novak, PhD
The Impact cf Global Uncertainties on the Strengthening of the Food Sovereignty ' Movement in Croatia and Slovenia (SLOHRanA)
Project title: The Impact cf Global Uncertainties on the Strengthening of the Food Sovereignty ‘ Movement in Croatia and Slovenia (SLOHRanA)
Co-Principal Investigators: Olga Orlić, PhD (until 31 March 2024); Morana Jarec, PhD (from 1 April 2024) / Associate Professor Peter Simonič, PhD, University of Ljubljana
Duration: 2023 – 2025
Funding bodies: Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia / Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
Croatian project team:
Ana Perinić Lewis, PhD
Jelena Seferović, PhD
Slovenian project team:
Alenka Bartulović, PhD
Veronika Zavratnik, PhD
Summary:
The joint research project of the Institute for Anthropological Research and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities of the University of Ljubljana is based on the observed new directions of research during the work on the project “Solidarity economy in Croatia: an anthropological perspective” SOLIDARan funded by the Croatian Science Foundation (indicated in the accepted periodical report of the project – descriptive report, point 1.3.) and various projects of Slovenian researchers.
It concerns the perceived need to explore in more detail the responses of individuals to emerging uncertainties affecting basic human needs. The economic crisis of 2008, the pandemic of the disease COVID-19 since 2020, the earthquake in Croatia, and since February 2022 the war in Ukraine have affected and are still affecting many aspects of people’s lives in Croatia and Slovenia and make it even more insecure. Food and water are at the top of the list of priorities for every household, so in times of insecurity, the question of food sovereignty is brought up again and again (cf. Toš 2015:20, Gale 2014). In this connection, the debates about the necessary social reforms of the production, distribution and consumption of food and energy, about legal-organizational and ownership relations, different models of supply chains and exchange of goods, agriculture, degrowth, (re)ruralization of parts of the city are intensifying. population, schools of gardening and coexistence with nature, etc. With the “routinization” of the ongoing pandemic (after the advent of vaccines and drugs), the need for strict isolation subsided, and so did the initial wave of urban enthusiasm with local farmers and short supply chains. The consequences of the war in Ukraine brought this topic up to date again. The issue of food security and food sovereignty has been the focus of researchers, policy makers and, most importantly, practitioners for a long time (Windfuhr and Jonsen 2005, Orlić 2014, 2019, Simonič 2019). While food security has focus on nutrition and availability of food for a growing global population, but in a way that large producers profit from it (see Schanbacher 2010), food sovereignty advocates the same goal, but with different means – strengthening local production and the resilience of the local population. global uncertainties shaped the goals of this project.
The main goal is to investigate the impact of global insecurities on strengthening the resilience of society and encouraging broader social changes related to food (short supply chains, micro-gardening, informal and new forms of exchange, revaluation of agricultural heritage, use of new technologies and knowledge for the purpose of strengthening food sovereignty). We are interested in the ethnographic contents or definitions of food sovereignty and the ways of understanding and practicing it by different social groups, from local to national, in both countries. A particularly important research question relates to understanding the dynamite relationship between spatial and economic identities, adapting lifestyles and life choices to new realities, and the relationship between food sovereignty and political protectionism (localism, regionalism, nationalism). In this context, we are also interested in how corporate but centralized supply chains adapt to changes in social conditions and values on a real and declarative level.
Other goals are to investigate emerging practices that aim at the micro-level to strengthen citizens’ self-sufficiency (related to food) and how they affect their perception of the world, future and security, and ultimately how they affect the resilience and identity of kinship and local communities in their way of life ( volume and type of consumption, etc.).
An important goal is the comparison of ecosystems between and within countries, which we will analyze by comparing urban and rural areas and between countries. In achieving these goals, special attention will be paid to the legal framework and gender relations in such practices.
- THE IMPACT CF GLOBAL UNCERTAINTIES ON THE STRENGTHENING OF THE FOOD SOVEREIGNTY MOVEMENT IN CROATIA AND SLOVENIA (SLOHRanA) / 2023 – 2025, Znanstveno-tehnološka suradnja s Republikom Slovenijom, Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia, co-principal investigator dr. Olga Orlić, PhD (until 31 March 2024), Morana Jarec, PhD (from 1 April 2024))
After the fall of the ancient worlds - Life and death at the borderlands of the Gepid Kingdom
Project title: After the fall of the ancient worlds – Life and death at the borderlands of the Gepid Kingdom
Co-principal investigators: Ivor Janković, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research / Tamás Szeczey, PhD, Hungarian Natural History Musem
Duration: 2021 – 2023
Funding bodies: Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia /
Croatian project team:
Mario Novak, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Mario Carić, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Željka Bedić, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Anita Rapan Papeša, City Museum Vinkovci
Hungarian project team:
Zsófia Rácz, PhD, Eötvös Loránd University, Institute for Archaeological Sciences
Tamás Hajdu, PhD, Hungarian Natural History Museum
Krisztián Kiss, Hungarian Natural History Musem
Orsolya László, Hungarian Natural History Musem
Summary:
The transition from Late Antiquity to the early Middle Ages in the Carpathian Basin was a period of numerous political and social changes resulting from the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and the Hun state. The population of this area was very heterogeneous due to successive migration waves, and the multiethnic structure consists of communities of Germanic tribes from the steppe areas and local Late Antique elements. In the power struggles that followed the collapse of Hun hegemony, the Gepids, a Germanic group inhabiting the eastern and southern parts of the Carpathian Basin, who established their kingdom in the area (452-568) emerged victorious. The Gepid kingdom based its political foundations on Western European traditions of the early Middle Ages, unlike the Hun state, which was based on nomadic traditions from Asia. Social and political transformations resulted in significant changes in the structure of the population, way of life and general health of the communities that formed the newly established kingdom.
The proposed project will seek to gain a better insight into: (i) population homogeneity / heterogeneity during the Gepid period; (ii) characteristics of the Gepid population structure in the light of political and cultural change; (iii) the health status of the populations of the Gepid period and changes in lifestyle and diet. The transformation of socio-political systems during the 5th century also affected the lives of the people of that time. Changes in lifestyle as well as changes in population density and mobility are factors that have had a significant impact on health status. In order to better understand the epidemiological situation, it is necessary to investigate the age and sex frequency of certain diseases, their spatial distribution and possible gender and age differences in dietary differences.
Population changes and co-existence in the middle and southwestern part of the Carpathian Basin in the Avar Period (6th-9th centuries AD)
Project title: Population changes and co-existence in the middle and southwestern part of the Carpathian Basin in the Avar Period (6th-9th centuries AD)
Co-principal investigators: Mario Novak, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research / Tamás Hajdu, PhD, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
Duration: 2017 – 2019
Funding bodies: Ministry of Science, Education, and Sports of the Republic of Croatia /
Croatian project team:
Prof. Ivor Janković, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Željka Bedić, PhD, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb, Croatia
Vlasta Vyroubal, PhD, Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Zagreb, Croatia
Mislav Čavka, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Hungarian project team:
Antónia Marcsik, PhD, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
Orsolya László, MSc, Hungarian National Museum, Budapest, Hungary
Tamás Szeniczey, MSc, Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary
Zsolt Bernert, MSc, Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest, Hungray
Summary:
Avars, population descending from Asia, came to the Carpathian Basin in 568 and in a short period of time, they conquered the entire region and united many German tribes and late antique natives under their rule. In the first third of the 7th century in southwestern Transdanubia and continental Croatia (the area north of Sava River), along with Avars, the Slavs also appear. In the first permanent settlements, Avars and Slavs lived together, and the members of both populations were buried in the cemeteries. This assimilation process resulted in the creation of a mixed, so-called Avaroslavic material culture, especially in the period of the Second Avar Khaganate (8th and beginning of 9th century). Historical and archaeological data show mutual relations and numerous cultural and social similarities and connections between Transdanubia and continental Croatia during the early Middle Ages. However, joint Hungarian-Croatian bioarchaeological study focusing on this period hasn’t been conducted yet. There are no known relations between Hungarian and Croatian anthropological material from that period because direct paleodemographic and paleopathological comparisons have never been performed. In this context, the proposed project will for the first time enable the study of numerous biological, but also social and cultural processes that took place in this area between the 6th and 9th century, regardless of the modern frontiers. This project will:
1) identify possible biological links between Avaroslavic populations from continental Croatia and Eastern and Western Transdanubia;
2) to reconstruct the presumed population movement and assimilation of the Avars and Slavs that had different origins;
3) to find possible similarities and differences in demographic characteristics, lifestyle and general health among the Avaroslavic populations north and south of the Drava River.
- POPULATION CHANGES AND CO-EXISTENCE IN THE MIDDLE AND SOUTHWESTERN PART OF THE CARPATHIAN BASIN IN THE AVAR PERIOD (6TH-9TH CENTURIES AD) / 2017 – 2018, Znanstveno-tehnološka suradnja s Mađarskom, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia, co-principal investigator Mario Novak, PhD
Petar Klepac – Hero with Two Homelands
Project title: Petar Klepac – Hero with Two Homelands
Co-principal investigators: Ana Perinić Lewis, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia / Saša Poljak Istenič, PhD, Institute of Slovenian Ethnology of SASA, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Duration: 2015 – 2017
Funding bodies: Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia / Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency
Croatian project team:
Jelena Marković, PhD, Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Nataša Polgar, PhD, Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Morana Jarec, Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Maja Adžija, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Zagreb, Croatia
Slovenian project team:
Monika Kropej Telban, PhD, Institute of Slovenian Ethnology of SASA, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Saša Babič, PhD, Institute of Slovenian Ethnology of SASA, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Katarina Šrimpf, PhD, Institute of Slovenian Ethnology of SASA, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Anja Moric, PhD, Department of Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Marko Smole, Ethnological collection Palčava šiša, Plešce, Croatia
Summary:
Joint project focuses on the narrative tradition on the folk and literary protagonist Petar Klepac from the Kupa and Čabranka Valley. Oral narrative tradition continued despite the establishment of the state border between Slovenia and Croatia. New border has, however, influenced its development, transmission and occurrence in contemporary written records and narrations. The project explores how the images of this traditional hero and narratives about him have become a part of contemporary regional and local identifications and representations of culture and heritage in the border region.
- PETAR KLEPAC – HERO WITH TWO HOMELANDS / 2015 – 2017, Znanstveno-tehnološka suradnja sa Slovenijom, Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia, co-principal investigator Ana Perinić Lewis, PhD
Historical Perspectives on Transnationalism and Intercultural Dialogue in the Multilingual Adriatic Littoral
Project title: Historical Perspectives on Transnationalism and Intercultural Dialogue in the Multilingual Adriatic Littoral
Co-principal investigators: Anita Sujoldžić, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research /
Duration: 2014 – 2015
Funding bodies: Ministry of Science, Education and Sport of the Republic of Croatia /
Croatian project team:
Olga Orlić, Institute for Anthropological Research
Josip Lah, Institute for Anthropological Research
Anja Iveković Martinis, Institute for Anthropological Research
Austrian project team:
Gualtiero Boaglio, University of Vienna
Andreas Gottsmann, Austrian Academy of Sciences
Claudia Berger, University of Vienna
Summary:
Historical legacies of cultural encounters have an impact on concerns about European identity and intercultural dialogue in Europe today. The multicultural and multilingual composition of the Habsburg Empire in the late 19th and early 20th century presents a challenging historical legacy of a set of multiple and alternate allegiances which merit reconsideration from the present point of view and on the basis of more empirically grounded research. However, scholarship on the Habsburg Empire has been predominantly concerned with nationalism and national tensions and has not paid due attention to what were, well into the 1900s, still firmly interconnected social spaces which cut across anachronistically drawn linguistic, “ethno-national” lines and where multiple allegiances (imperial, national, provincial or local) with both cosmopolitan and culturally contingent loyalties could be found. To uncover such past lived forms requires an alternative approach and a re-creation of intercultural identities denied by the modernist discourse of national, linguistic and religious hierarchies.
The Adriatic Littoral of the Habsburg Monarchy is a perfect example of such a multilingual imperial space of intensive cultural exchange and economic mobility. The constitutional era after 1867 brought vibrant urbanization and industrialization to this area, which facilitated mobility and immigration of military personnel, civil servants and other professions from diverse parts of the Empire, while better access to schooling led to urbanization of the populations coming from rural areas in the region. This mixture of people drew on the practices of their various places of origin, in order to organize social relations, labour and trade. The project is aimed at exploring the interactions between hegemonic discourses and the patterns of transnational interactions and mobility that shaped intercultural dialogue in the Adriatic Littoral during the late Austro-Hungarian Empire. The main goal is to provide a new way of learning from the past about strategies concerning the recognition of difference and ways of overcoming social tensions, such as shared cultural practices and cultural forms of cross-communal ties, in order to facilitate EU integration. Our specific objective is to provide a contrastive reading of Austro-German, Italian and Slavic sources illuminating both established discourses of knowledge production, as well as counter-discourses, and their reception by common people. The second objective is to demonstrate the inadequacy of ethnic categories for historical analysis and to uncover the fluid cultural identities and multiple loyalties that were characteristic of the Adriatic urban population in this period.
- HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES ON TRANSNATIONALISM AND INTERCULTURAL DIALOGUE IN THE MULTILINGUAL ADRIATIC LITTORAL / 2014 – 2015, Znanstveno-tehnološka suradnja s Austrijom, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia, co-principal investigator Prof. Anita Sujoldžić, PhD
Status of Croatians in Macedonia and Macedonians in Croatia; Ethnocultural Identity: State and Perspectives
Project title: Status of Croatians in Macedonia and Macedonians in Croatia; Ethnocultural Identity: State and Perspectives
Co-principal investigators: Anita Sujoldžić, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research / Sonjica Rizoska, PhD, Institut za staroslavensku kulturu, Prilep, North Macedonia
Duration: 2007 – 2009
Funding bodies: Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia /
Croatian project team:
Pavao Rudan, PhD
Lana Peternel, MA
Olga Orlić, MA
Macedonian project team:
Ljupčo Risteski
Sonja Zogović
Mirjana Mirčevska
Jelena Cvetanovska, MA
Summary:
The issue of the national and ethnic identity has been the focus of all relevant social and humanistic research throughout the world in the last decade. The majority of contemporary anthropologists and other social scientists consider identity as a never ending process, emphasizing the necessity of conducting research in specific historical contexts of cultures in relation to globalization and migration processes. Within this context, the question of national minorities is of a crucial interest. The necessity of a comparative approach has been pointed out in the ever expanding literature on minority rights. Consequently, the planned research will be based on the comparative analysis of the two “new” ethnic communities: Croatians in the Republic of Macedonia and Macedonians in the Republic of Croatia. The dissolution of former Yugoslavia created new minorities, which are facing many challenges, ranging from the recognition of their rights and equalization with “old” or autochthonous minorities (in spite of their formally equal status), to better self-organization in order to exercise their rights in the first place. After the proclamation of the independence, both countries have been trying in their specific ways and legislation to ensure the minority rights. Macedonians in Croatia have the official status of national minority. Croatians in Macedonia, however, belong to ethnic communities without the official status. According to recent anthropological research, it could be said that they belong to the group of „hidden minorities”. It means that although it does not have an official minority status, the community strives to sustain their ethno-cultural identity. The proposed investigation of Croatians in Macedonia and Macedonians in Croatia is based on the analysis of their cultural identity, not only in view of the preservation of their cultures, but also in relation to all social processes that influence change and transformation of identity , and e.g. allow the existence of multiple, intersecting identities. Such a focus means examining minority settlement as a process that is at once social, cultural, existential, affective and moral.
- STATUS OF CROATIANS IN MACEDONIA AND MACEDONIANS IN CROATIA; ETHNOCULTURAL IDENTITY: STATE AND PERSPECTIVES / 2007 – 2009, Znanstveno-tehnološka suradnja s Makedonijom, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports of the Republic of Croatia, co-principal investigator Prof. Anita Sujoldžić, PhD
Procjena i stimuliranje psiholoških karakteristika važnih za razvoj i uspješnost rukometaša i rukometašica
Project title: Procjena i stimuliranje psiholoških karakteristika važnih za razvoj i uspješnost rukometaša i rukometašica
Principal investigator: Joško Sindik, PhD
Duration: 2015 – 2016
Project team:
Saša Missoni, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Jelena Šarac, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Kazimir Ilijaš, Zagrebački rukometni savez
Una Gajić, RK „Trešnjevka“
Morana Katalinić, Zagrebački rukometni savez
Goals and implications of the project:
Osnovni znanstveni ciljevi projekta su: konstruiranje specifičnog psihologijskog instrumentarija za utvrđivanje psiholoških obilježja relevantnih za uspješno bavljenje sportom, od najranije dobi do kasne faze sportske karijere sportaša i sportašica (1); probno, a potom i redovito korištenje razvijenog instrumentarija u svrhu dobivanja određenih standarda za pojedine dobne skupine i za određene razine sportske izvrsnosti (2); na temelju ovih standarda, provodit će se procjena tranzitivnih stanja psiholoških obilježja sportaša (3).
Naime, već u ranoj dobi rukometaša (od 10. godine nadalje), korisno je utvrditi odabrane psihološke karakteristike koje obuhvaćaju određene crte ličnosti koje se reflektiraju (u ovom slučaju) u većini situacija rukometne igre. Saznanja dobivena iz studije poprečnog presjeka u kojoj će se procjenjivati odabrane psihološke karakteristike moći će poslužiti kvalitetnijem radu rukometnih trenera, ali i roditelja mladih rukometaša, u svrhu detektiranja stanja u različitim fazama njihovog sportskog razvoja, te njihova konstruktivnog usmjeravanja.
Publications:
- Sindik, J., Bauer Čuk, A.-M. (2016). Psychological characteristics and traits in male handball players – optimism, athlete engagement and mental energy. Sport Scientific and Practical Aspects. 13(1), 5-11. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISSN: 1840-4413.
- Sindik, J., Horvat, V., Hraski, M., Sertić, D. (2015). Application of the Multidimensional Inventory of Sport Excelence on the samples of young top female handball and volleyball players. Research in Physical Educations, Sport and Health, 4(2), 41-45. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISSN 1857-8152
- Sindik, J., Missoni, S., Horvat, V. (2015). A comparison of psychological skills and traits in male handball players of different age groups. U: Book of Proceedings XVIII International Scientific Conference FIS Communications 2015 / Pantelić, S. (ur.). Niš, Srbija, 15.-17.10.2015., str. 293-298. Niš, Srbija: Faculty of sport and physical education, University of Niš. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISSN: 9788687249714
- Sindik, J., Botica, A., Fiškuš, M. (2015). Preliminary psychometric validation of the Multidimensional Inventory of Sport Excellence: attention scales and mental energy. Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 4(2), 17-28. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISSN 1800-8755
- Sindik, J., Schuster, S., Botica, A., Fiškuš, M. (2015). Preliminary psychometric validation of the Multidimensional Inventory of Sport Excelence: anxiety and hardiness scales. Hrvatski športskomedicinski vjesnik, 30(1), 30-41. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISSN 0354-0766
Temeljni razvojni miljokazi kao sredstvo stimuliranja razvoja predškolske djece
Project title: Temeljni razvojni miljokazi kao sredstvo stimuliranja razvoja predškolske djece
Principal investigator: Joško Sindik, PhD
Duration: 2015 – 2016
Project team:
Lucija Dodigović,
Selman Repišti
Miran Čoklo, PhD
Partners:
Kindergarden Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik
Kindergarden Maslačak, Zaprešić
Kindergarden Ivanić Grad, Ivanić-Grad
Summary:
Razvojni miljokazi su osnovna funkcionalna obilježja djece, lako prepoznatljiva u njihovom ponašanju (npr. crtanje kvadrata), karakteristična za dob djeteta. Jednostavnost razvojnih miljokaza ima izniman praktični potencijal, iskoristiv u obrazovne svrhe. Osnovna ideja projekta (ovaj projekt je prvi projekt u nizu), polazi od pretpostavke da bi direktno povezivanje razvojnih miljokaza karakterističnih za dob djeteta s aktivnostima koje se provode s djecom, omogućilo i roditeljima i odgojiteljima u predškolskim ustanovama njihovo ciljano i sustavno stimuliranje. U ovom projektu cilj je svođenje već prikupljenih podataka o razvojnim miljokazima djece na njihov manji broj, koji će odgojitelji ili roditelji u relativno kratkom razdoblju moći kod djece procijeniti. U predviđenom projektu koji će se nastaviti na ovaj, stručnjaci iz predškolskog odgoja, u pojedinim dobnim grupama djece, odabirat će i predlagati najpogodnije aktivnosti za stimuliranje pojedinih razvojnih miljokaza. Utvrđivanjem slaganja između više procjenjivača (odgojiteljica iste dobne skupine djece), rangirat će se najpogodnije aktivnosti za stimuliranje određenog razvojnog miljokaza, što će stvoriti osnovu za idući projekt. U posljednjem nastavku ovog inicijalnog projekta, razvojni miljokazi i pripadne najpogodnije aktivnosti za njihovo stimuliranje povezat će se u specijaliziranoj računalnoj programskoj podršci (software-u) za korisnike (odgojitelje i roditelje). Aktivnosti projekta sveli su se na analizu prikupljenih podataka u hrvatskim dječjim vrtićima, svođenje inicijalnog popisa miljokaza na njihov manji broj te publiciranje nalaza istraživanja u obliku znanstvene knjige. U posljednjem dijelu te knjige dane su i smjernice za praktični rad (odgojiteljima u dječjim vrtićima te roditeljima djece). Ishodi projekta stvorili su osnovu za kvalitetniju pripremu odgojitelja za rad s djecom, bolje stimuliranje razvoja djece u obiteljskom okruženju te proširenje znanstveno-praktične suradnje.
Publications:
- Sindik, J., Boban, M. (2016). Miljokazi razvoja predškolske djece – Studija na uzorku djece u hrvatskom predškolskom institucionalnom kontekstu. Zagreb: Institut za antropologiju; Hrvatsko antropološko društvo. ISBN 978-953-8092-01-5 (autorska knjiga)
- Sindik, J., Repišti, S., Miščenić, G. (2016). Basic psychometic validation of the developmental milestones for children’s play in children from four to seven years. Metodički obzori, 11(6), 6-23. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISSN 1846-1484.
- Repišti, S., Sindik, J. (2015). Preliminarna psihometrijska validacija miljokaza razvoja dječje igre kod djece od navršene prve do četvrte godine života. Pregled, 56(3), 83-104. (pregledni rad) ISSN 0032-7271
Zdravstveni status i kvaliteta života sportaša
Project title: Zdravstveni status i kvaliteta života sportaša
Principal investigator: Joško Sindik, PhD
Project team:
Saša Missoni, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Miran Čoklo, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Jelena Šarac, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Davide Barbieri, PhD, The Laboratory of Kinanthropometry of the Dep. Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
Martina Matovinović Osvatić, PhD, Klinički bolnički centar Rebro
Tonći Grgurinović, MD, Poliklinika za medicinu rada i sporta s medicinsko-biokemijskim laboratorijem Zagrebačkog športskog saveza
Darko Tomić, Poliklinika za medicinu rada i sporta s medicinsko-biokemijskim laboratorijem Zagrebačkog športskog saveza
Goals and implications of the project:
U prvoj fazi, analizirat će se isključivo postojeća medicinska dokumentacija, tj. podaci sistematskih pregleda sportaša za 2011. i 2012. godinu, iz odabranih sportova (ukupno 72 različita sporta).
Praktične implikacije odnose se prvenstveno na utvrđivanje specifičnih razlika u zdravstvenom statusu sportaša i sportašica, različitih dobnih grupa ali i vrsta sportova kojima se oni/e bave. Očekuje se da će istraživanje dati jasniji uvid o profilima zdravstvenog statusa sportaša i sportašica različite dobi i vrsta sportova kojima se bave. Kada se na temelju rezultata istraživanja odrede specifični profili zdravstvenog statusa te različitosti sportaš/ica u odnosu na tri nezavisne varijable, planirat će se mjere prevencije, u svrhu diferenciranog utjecaja na smanjenje nepoželjnih zdravstvenih pokazatelja. S druge strane, treneri će moći efikasnije planirati trenažna opterećenja u pojedinim sportovima za pojedine dobne skupine, s postizanjem očekivanih (visokih) motoričkih postignuća, a sa smanjenim rizikom ozljeđivanja i obolijevanja sportaša/ica. Dugoročno, to može utjecati na smanjenje sa zdravstvenog aspekta nepoželjnih a povećanje poželjnih efekata bavljenja vrhunskim sportom.
Financiran je od Poliklinike za medicinu rada i sporta s medicinsko-biokemijskim laboratorijem Zagrebačkog športskog saveza.
Publications:
- Sindik, J., Čoklo, M., Dolanc, I. (2017). Pokazatelji zdravlja kod hrvatskih softball igrača (prikupljenih rutinskim medicinskim pregledima). U: Zbornik radova 2. Međunarodni znanstveno- stručni skup “Fizioterapija u sportu, rekreaciji i wellnessu”. Smoljić, M., Janković, S. (ur.). Vukovar, Hrvatska, 3-4.11.2016., str. 199-210. Vukovar: Veleučilište Lavoslav Ružička u Vukovaru. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISSN 1849-8906
- Sindik, J., Šarac, J., Missoni, S., Schuster, S., Grgurinović, T., Tomić, D., Kondrič, M. (2017). A comparison of chosen health indicators determined during routine medical examinations between table tennis, badminton and squash players. Proceedings Book of the 14th ITTF Sports Science Congress & 5th World Racket Sports Congress, Kondrič, M., Zhang, X., Xiao, D. (ur.). Suzhou, May 23.-25.2015., str. 52-60. Lausanne, Switzerland: International Table Tennis Federation. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISBN 978-2-8399-2071-1
- Sindik, J., Šarac, J., Missoni, S., Vukosav, J., Grgurinović, T., Tomić, D., Kondrič, M. (2016). Differences among table tennis and tennis players in chosen health indicators determined during routine medical examinations. In: Science and Racket Sports V. Kondrič, M., Zhang, X., Xiao, D. (ur.). Suzhou, China: Suzhou University Press, str. 28-35. ISBN 978-953-6378-69-2 (poglavlje u knjizi)
- Grgurinović, T., Sindik, J. (2016). Differences in health indicators in football players younger and older than 30 years. Sport Science and Health, 6(1), 62-73. (stručni rad) ISSN 2232-8211.
- Grgurinović, T., Sindik, J. (2015). Application of the mental toughness/hardiness scale on the sample of athletes engaged in different types of sports. Physical culture, 69(2), 77-87. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISSN 2232-8211.
- Sindik, J.(2014). Preschool and School Programs of Physical Education as a Prevention: Effects, Correlates and Health Implications. In: Handbook of Physical Education Research – Physical Education: Role of School Programs, Children’s Attitudes and Health Implications. Todaro, R. (ur.). New York: NOVA Publishers, str. 335-360. ISBN 978-1-63321-076-9 (poglavlje u knjizi)
- Dodigović, L., Sindik, J. (2015). Comparison of selected health and morphological parameters between classic swimming and synchronized swimming. Sport Scientific and Practical Aspects, 12(2), 5-9. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISSN 1840-4413
- Dodigović, L., Sindik, J. (2015). A Comparison of the Antropological Determinants for Swimming and Synchronized Swimming in Young Female Athletes. Sports Science and Health, 5(2), 129-133. (kratko priopćenje) ISSN 2232-8211
Study of adolescents’ lifestyle habits for obesity, type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention
Project title: Study of adolescents’ lifestyle habits for obesity, type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease prevention
Coordinator: Andrija Štampar Teaching Institute of Public Health
Principal investigator at organisational level: Saša Missoni, PhD
Summary:
Učestalost metaboličkoga sindroma razlikuje se s obzirom na dob, spol, stupanj uhranjenosti i primijenjene kriterije, te se kreće od 0–11 % u općoj populaciji, a u populaciji prekomjerno teške i pretile djece od 5–33%. Cilj ovoga projekta je bio utvrditi učestalost metaboličkoga sindroma među adolescentima u Hrvatskoj.
Biological and Biomechanical Characteristics of Sprint Running
Project title: Biological and Biomechanical Characteristics of Sprint Running
Principal investigator at the organisational level: Saša Missoni, PhD
Duration: 2013 – 2014
Project team:
Ivor Janković, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Joško Sindik, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Emanuela Gualdi, PhD, The Laboratory of Kinanthropometry of the Dep. Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
Luciana Zaccagni, PhD, The Laboratory of Kinanthropometry of the Dep. Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
Davide Barbieri, PhD, The Laboratory of Kinanthropometry of the Dep. Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
Igor Jukić, PhD, Faculty of Kinesiology of the University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Vesna Babić, PhD, Faculty of Kinesiology of the University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Summary:
The investigation utilizes various lab procedures starting from data collection on Croatian athletes to molecular and statistical analyses at the University of Ferrara in order to determine biological and biomechanical characteristics of professional athletes – sprint runners.
Publications:
- Sindik, J., Babić, V., Missoni, S. (2015). Psychological Aspects of Top Croatian Sprint Runners: Athletic Engagement and Athletic Identity. In: Advances in Sports Research. Linton, E.S. (ur.). New York: NOVA Publishers, str. 81-99. ISBN: 978-1-63483-798-9
- Babić, V., Šarac, J., Missoni, S., Sindik, J. (2015). Athletic Engagement and Athletic Identity in Top Croatian Sprint Runners. Collegium antropologicum, 39(3), 521-528. (izvorni znanstveni rad) ISSN 0353-3735
- BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SPRINT RUNNING / 2013 – 2014, Institute for Anthropological Research, principal investigator at the organisational level Ass. Prof. Saša Missoni, PhD
Genetic and environmental factors of insulin resistance syndrome and its long term complication in immigrant Mediterranean populations (MEDIGENE)
Project title: Genetic and environmental factors of insulin resistance syndrome and its long term complication in immigrant Mediterranean populations (MEDIGENE – FP7-279171-1)
Coordinator: University Montpellier 1 (UM1), Montpellier, France
Principal investigator at the organisational level: Ass. Prof. Saša Missoni, PhD
Funding programme: FP7 (European Commission)
Project duration: 2012 – 2015
Website: http://www.medigene-fp7.eu/
Partners:
- Universite Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, Fédération d’Endocrinologie, HOPITAL NEURO-CARDIO, Lyon-Bron, France;
- Centro De Investigacion Biomedica En Red De Diabetes Y Enfermedades Metabolicas (CIBERDEM), Laboratory of Diabetes and Obesity (IDIBAPS), Mallorca, BARCELONA, Spain;
- Catalan Insitute Of Classic Archeology, Tarragona, Spain;
- University Of Medicine And Pharmacy Carol Davila, National Institute of Endocrinology, Neuroendocrinology Laboaratory, Bucharest, Romania;
- Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia (Principal investigator of the Croatian team: dr. Saša Missoni);
- Alma Mater Studiorum-Universita Di Bologna, Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sant’Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy;
- Magna Graecia University Of Catanzaro, Laboratory of Internal Medicine, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Catanzaro, Italy;
- Scientific Institute Casa Sollievo Della Sofferenza, Department of Clinical Science, Rome, Italy;
- Universita Degli Studi Di Roma Tor Vergata, Department of Internal Medicine, Rome, Italy
- Ioannina University, Department of Endocrinology, Ioannina, Greece;
- Institute Of Biochemistry And Genetics, Ufa Scientific Center, Russian Academy of Sciences, Bashkortostan, Russia;
- Institut Pasteur De Tunis, Research Unit on Genetic Orphan Diseases, Tunis, Tunis;
- Univesity Of Alger 1, Laboratoire de Biochimie Génétique (LABIOGEN), Alger, Algeria;
- Institut Pasteur Du Maroc, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire Humaine, Casablanca, Morocco;
- University Hospital Of Tirana, Endocrinology Division, Tirana, Albania;
- BC Platforms Ltd;
- PersonMed Ltd, Pecs, Hungary;
- Istanbul University, Dept. of Internal Medicine, Millet Caddesi, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey.
MEDIGENE is funded by EC to study genetic and environmental determinants of metabolic syndrome in immigrant Mediterranean populations. The authors make a distinction between ancestral, historical and actual migrations intend to use archeogenetic data to understand the genetic heterogeneity of Europe. The fundamental idea of MEDIGENE is to use the genetic architecture of Mediterranean populations to better stratify populations in Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) by using Y chromosome, mitochondrial DNA and Ancestry Informative Markers (AIMs) thus bringing together competences of anthropologists, geneticists and demographists in the effort to uncover genetic susceptibility for insulin resistance.
Objectives: (1) to characterize the genetic landscape of Southern Europe, Balkans, Anatolia and North Africa; (2) to study the variability of 150 candidate genes in both natives and immigrant populations; (3) to search for potential new genes and gene-environment interaction for metabolic syndrome.
Populations: Albanese (Illyrians) migrated in Northern Italy and Greece; Turkish (Altaic populations) forming a large community in Lyon (France); Romanian (Geto-Thracic populations from the Carpato-Danubian basin) exceptionally sedentary for millennia who recently immigrated in Spain; immigrants from North Africa (Berbers admixed with Bedouin tribes or Canaanite-Phoenicians in historical times) such as Algerians, Tunisians and Moroccans immigrated in France.
Methodology: Genes will be studied by GWAS and locus refining using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and haplotype mapping together with phylogenetic analysis. Informative filtered SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) will be used to replicate findings in home countries (Anatolia and North Africa).
Expected impact: To ameliorate the GWAS association signal by increasing power and better explaining heritability in population. MEDIGENE program will consider the metabolic syndrome on a broader perspective as adaptation of humans in relation with fertility, population density, social competitiveness and hierarchy or rural to urban transitions and expected findings will have consequences in understanding the way of life of different people with respect of their way of life.
Obesity in Croatian Roma: The Interaction of Leptin System Genes and Nutritional Status Biomarkers in Different Environment
Project team:
Prof. Marijana Peričić Salihović, PhD
Prof. Nina Smolej Narančić, PhD
Prof. Branka Janićijević, PhD
Prof. Jasna Miličić, PhD
Ana Barešić, PhD
Željka Tomas
Matea Zajc Petranović, PhD
Summary:
The main goal of this project is to investigate how the change of lifestyle affects the expression of genetic risks associated with obesity. The Roma (Gypsy) presents promising model population for detection of such changes since they started to experience the transition from traditional to westernized lifestyle within the context of developed societies. Since socio-economical transition is accompanied with lifestyle, nutritional, demographic, and, finally, epidemiological transition, it is highly important to detect such environmental changes that are connected with additional health risks.
Croats in South America
Project title: Croats in South America
Principal investigator: Nikša Sviličić, PhD
Project duration: 2012 – 2013
Project team:
Saša Missoni, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Nenad Suvačarov, Master Film
Branko Cindro, Laser-Plus
Funding body: Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia
Summary:
The aim of the project is to explore different anthropological aspects of Croatian emigrants in South American countries and compare them with life in the homeland.
As a result of the project, an anthropological-documentary film was made.
Dietary Habits and Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents
Project title: Dietary Habits and Metabolic Syndrome in Adolescents
Principal investigator: Saša Missoni, PhD
Project team:
Prof. Zijad Duraković, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Joško Sindik, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Prof. Pavao Rudan, MD, PhD, member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Institute for Anthropological Research
Olgica Martinis, Education and Teacher Training Agency
Prof. Željko Romić, PhD, Clinical Hospital Dubrava
Biserka Orehovec, Clinical Hospital Dubrava
Krunoslav Capak, PhD, Croatian Institute of Public Health
Goranka Petrović, Croatian Institute of Public Health
Pavle Jeličić, MD, Croatian Institute of Public Health
Andreja Barišin, MD, Croatian Institute of Public Health
Iva Pejnović Franelić, MD, Croatian Institute of Public Health
Jasna Pucarin-Cvetković, PhD, Croatian Institute of Public Health
Prof. Jasenka Gajdoš Kljusurić, PhD, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb
Funding body: Croatian Food Agency
Summary:
Cilj projekta je praćenje prehrambenih navika školske populacije u kontinentalnoj i primorskoj Hrvatskoj, kao i edukacija o preporučenim prehrambenim navikama i važnosti umjerene tjelesne aktivnosti kako bi se poboljšala kvaliteta života.
Provedeno je istraživanje u srednjim školama RH: dvije otočne srednje škole u Splitsko-dalmatinskoj županiji (Gimnazija Hvar i podružnica u Jelsi); četiri u kontinenentalnoj, sjeverozapadnoj Hrvatskoj (Grad Zagreb (V. gimnazija i Gimnazija Tituša Brezovačkog u Zagrebu), Krapinsko-zagorska županija (Srednja škola Pregrada), Varaždinska županija (Druga gimnazija u Varaždinu)), jednoj kontinentalnoj u Osječko-baranjskoj županiji (Srednja škola u Belom Manastiru).
The Neandertal Genome Project
Project title: The Neandertal Genome Project
Principal investigator: Prof. Svante Paabo, PhD, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
Principal investigator at the institutional level: Prof. Pavao Rudan, MD, PhD, member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Partners:
Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Berlin-Brandenburg Academy
Summary:
An international consortium of researchers has sequenced the genome of our closest relative, the Neandertal.
In a paper released in Science on May 7, 2010 the team reports the sequencing of an initial draft of the genome. The sequence was generated from several Neandertal fossils from Croatia, Germany, Spain and Russia using high-throughput sequencing technologies.
Results indicate that Neandertals are slightly more closely related to modern humans outside Africa. The team also identified several genomic regions that appear to have played an important role during human evolution.
Genetička povijest romskog stanovništva Republike Hrvatske: analiza mitohondrijske DNA i kromosoma Y
Project title: Genetička povijest romskog stanovništva Republike Hrvatske: analiza mitohondrijske DNA i kromosoma Y
Principal investigator: prof. Branka Janićijević, PhD
Duration: 2008
Funding body: Adris Foundation
Project team:
Summary:
- GENETIČKA POVIJEST ROMSKOG STANOVNIŠTVA REPUBLIKE HRVATSKE: ANALIZA MITOHONDRIJSKE DNA I KROMOSOMA Y / 2008, Adris Foundation, principal investigator Prof. Branka Janićijević, PhD
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z-Projects:
Molecular-genetic characteristics of founder populations – Roma population as a model
PrProject title: Molecular-genetic characteristics of founder populations – Roma population as a model (MZOS 196-1962766-2763)
Principal investigator: Prof. Branka Janićijević, PhD
Duration: 2007 – 2013
Project team:
Summary:
Sažetak: Romi su primjer transnacionalne, izolirane populacije utemeljitelja zajedničkog (indijskog) podrijetla koju danas čini kompleksna mreža endogamnih podskupina od kojih se neke, premda nastanjene unutar vrlo malih zemljopisnih udaljenosti, mogu razlikovati po dijalektu, jeziku, religiji te sociokulturnom ustroju i običajima. Cilj predloženog projekta jest proučiti romsku populaciju u Hrvatskoj kao model izolirane populacije utemeljitelja kako bi se procijenila populacijska i genetička struktura te opterećenje populacije monogenski determiniranim poremećajima. Hipoteza: visoki stupanj srođivanja i izolacije dovodi do pojave visoke stope rijetkih recesivnih genetičkih poremećaja, privatnih mutacija i mutacija utemeljitelja te se unutar pojedinih podskupina očekuje više pojedinaca s istim, inače rijetkim, monogenskim poremećajima. Izolirane populacije utemeljitelja pogodne su za otkrivanje mutacija odgovornih za nastanak monogenskih poremećaja, te se očekuje uspješna primjena analize genske vezanosti i podudarnosti haplotipova. Očekivani rezultati predloženog projekta su: odrediti populacijsku i genetičku strukturu primjenom analiza uniparentalnih genetičkih polimorfizama; potvrditi pretpostavku o visokoj stopi rijetkih monogenskih poremećaja te doprinijeti novim teorijskim spoznajama o njihovoj molekularno-genetičkoj arhitekturi te boljim razumijevanjem tradicije, uvjeta života i zdravstvenog statusa Roma, pomoći njihovom intenzivnijem uključivanju u širu društvenu zajednicu uz očuvanje nacionalnog identiteta, tradicijske kulture i jezika. Provjera dobivenih rezultata antropoloških, molekularno-genetičkih i epidemioloških istraživanja provest će se u odnosu na opću populaciju u Hrvatskoj kao i u odnosu na u literaturi dostupne podatke o drugim općim i romskim populacijama u Europi kao i populacijama Indije i Pakistana. Važnost predloženog istraživanja ocrtava se u činjenici da se radi o prvim opsežnim antropološkim, molekularno-genetičkim i epidemiološkim istraživanjima utemeljenim na suvremenim molekularno-genetičkim i biostatističkim analizama koja će doprinijeti potpunijem razumijevanju romske populacije u RH te unaprjeđenju uvjeta života, zdravstvenog stanja i intenzivnijeg uključivanja u širu društvenu zajednicu, a što je posebno naglašeno europskom inicijativom vezanom uz proglašenje „Dekade za integraciju Roma (2005.-2015.)“ i Nacionalnim programom za Rome Vlade RH.
Changes in the function of aging organs, working ability and biological age
Project title: Changes in the function of aging organs, working ability and biological age (MZOS 196-0342282-0291)
Principal investigator: Prof. Zijad Duraković, PhD
Duration: 2007 – 2013
Project team:
Summary:
Jedna od svrha ovog istraživanja je približiti se postavljanju kriterija biološke dobi. Analizirat će se promjene funkcije i ustroja kardiovaskularnog, respiratornog i renalnog statusa: kliničkog statusa, elektrokardiograma, ehokardiograma, 24-satnog elektrokardiograma, ergometrijskog ispitivanja funkcijske sposobnosti srca, respirometrija, klirens kreatinina, u osobe koja ne boluje od bolesti tih sustava. Konačni je cilj odgovoriti na pitanje da li se može ocjenjivati starost na osnovi procjene biološke dobi glede funkcijskih sposobnosti sustava nutarnjih organa: sustava srca i krvožilja, dišnog sustava i bubrežnog sustava istovremeno. Svrha je i ocijeniti radnu sposobnost glede približavanja biološkog dobi na osnovi funkcijskih parametara sposobnosti obavljanja tjelesnog napora. Proučiti će se razlozi hipersaturacije i razloge otrovanja lijekovima u starijih bolesnika, kako bi se utvrdile smjernice i sugerirao preventivni pristup u liječenju tih osoba. Istraživanje će biti provedeno retrospektivno i ad hoc. U osoba liječenih u bolnici u posljednjih 10-15 godina, analizirat će se hipersaturacija i otrovanje lijekovima i donijeti smjernice racionalne farmakoterapije, napose u sprječavanju hipersaturacije i otrovanja lijekovima. Proučit će se akutni incidenti za vrijeme tjelovježbe u starijih osoba, kako bismo djelovali mjerama primarne, sekundarne ili tercijarne prevencije. U osoba naglo umrlih tijekom rekreacijskog tjelesnog vježbanja analizirati će se podaci napose kardiovaskularnog sustava, kako bi se prevenirala iznenadna smrt tijekom tjelovježbe. Očekivani su rezultati da starost počinje u četvrtoj deceniji života, ne s dobi od 65 godina. Donijeti će se preporuke o tome tko smije, a tko ne smije baviti se tim aktivnostima. Očekivani su rezultati da starenje započinje nakon 30-e godine života, a ne s dobi od 65 ili više. Istraživanje i rezultati u svim segmentima dostupni su provjeri. Važnost istraživanja sastoji se u procjeni starenja na osnovi biološke, a ne kronološke dobi.
Stochastic and cybernetic models in anthropology
Project title: Stochastic and cybernetic models in anthropology (MZOS 196-1962766-2736)
Principal investigator: Prof. Jasna Miličić, PhD
Duration: 2007 – 2013
Project team:
Summary:
Dosadašnja istraživanja pokazuju da stohastički i kibernetički modeli pridonose boljem razumijevanju strukture ljudskih populacija odnosno njihovih svojstava. Predloženo istraživanje ima cilj (1) unaprijediti postojeće multivarijantne statističke i kibernetičke metode za analizu populacijske strukture i njezinih specifičnih karakteristika; i (2) konstruirati i verificirati nove stohastičke i kibernetičke modele za proučavanje latentne strukture izoliranih populacija na primjerima morfoloških, psiholoških i biodemografskih svojstava. Analiza podataka dobivenih primjenom novih modela omogućit će procjenu utjecaja pojedinih ispitivanih čimbenika na razvoj populacija, a time i testiranje modela. Na temelju dobivenih rezultata moći će se izvesti odgovarajući epistemološki zaključci o vjerodostojnosti (realističnosti) raznih vrsta modela odnosno objašnjenja/predviđanja koje modeli pružaju. Takvi su zaključci relevantni ne samo za antropologiju, već i za filozofiju znanosti. U kauzalnim modelima bit će istraženi kriteriji razdvajanja antropoloških varijabli, kauzalna svojstva pojedinih modela, koristeći se predviđanjima, intervencijama i protučinjenicama. Na kibernetičkim modelima biodemografije istraživat će se međusobna povezanost malih lokalnih zajednica. Prije empirijskog istraživanja glavnih biodemografskih pokazatelja za danu populaciju (dobne strukture, mortaliteta i nataliteta) ispitat će se preciznost modelskih rješenja pojedinih biodemografskih simulacija. Istraživanja će obuhvatiti biodemografske karakteristike populacije Republike Hrvatske u cjelini, zatim pojedinih njezinih regija koje nisu zahvaćene depopulacijom, kao i regija i populacija zanimljivih za daljnja istraživanja. Kritičko vrednovanje kibernetičkih modela biodemografije – počevši od osnovnog modela (LOPI) – i njihovih rezultata omogućit će objektivnije, kvantitativno utemeljeno sagledavanje asimetričnosti između manjih lokalnih zajednica i centara kojima te zajednice gravitiraju. Moguća korist od stečenih spoznaja nije samo teorijska. Stohastički modeli nalaze primjenu u čitavom nizu antropoloških straživanja: od izrade sustava tjelesnih mjera za standardizaciju odjeće i obuće (npr. u svrhu prilagodbe standarda ISO lokalnoj populaciji) do planiranja materijalnih sredstava u oružanim snagama (npr. u svrhu prilagodbe standardima NATO-a). S druge strane, na temelju kibernetičkih modela biodemografije mogu se razmatrati različiti scenariji za održivi razvoj pojedinih naselja i regija.
Complex characteristics and health of the population from infancy to old age
Project title: Complex characteristics and health of the population from infancy to old age (MZOS 196-1962766-2747)
Principal investigator: Prof. Nina Smolej Narančić, PhD
Duration: 2007 – 2013
Project team:
Summary:
U okviru istraživanja biološke varijabilnosti čovjeka, stanovništvo Hrvatske pruža iznimne analitičke mogućnosti s obzirom na prisutnost reprodukcijski izoliranih subpopulacija koje omogućuju primjenu populacijsko-genetičkih i genetičko-epidemioloških modela u istraživanjima mikroevolucijskih procesa i studijama genetske podloge kompleksnih bioloških obilježja. Cilj: Glavni je cilj istraživanja iskoristiti prednosti strukture današnje populacije Hrvatske s namjerom da se prouči varijabilnost kompleksnih svojstava od djetinjstva do duboke starosti. Očekivani rezultati: Očekuje se da će provedba usporednih istraživanja u izoliranim subpopulacijama te u općoj populaciji Hrvatske doprinijeti razumijevanju uloge genetske i okolišne komponente (te njihovih interakcija) u razvoju kompleksnih bioloških obilježja od značaja za zdravlje stanovništva. Istraživanja morfoloških osobina i funkcionalne sposobnosti u dobno specifičnim reprezentativnim uzorcima (djeca, mladež, odrasli te osobe duboke starosti) omogućit će bolje razumijevanje dinamičkih procesa koji se odvijaju tijekom rasta i razvoja te starenja. Način provjere rezultata: Testirat će se podudarnost rezultata dobivenih različitim kvantitativno-genetičkim i molekularno-genetičkim pristupima te nalazi usporediti s drugim srodnim istraživanjima koja se provode u svijetu. Važnost predloženog istraživanja: Predloženo istraživanje upotpunit će teorijske spoznaje o povezanosti biološke varijabilnosti s povijesnim, demografskim, kulturnim i ekološkim čimbenicima. Izrađene populacijski specifične referentne vrijednosti (npr. za plućne funkcije, denzitometrijske vrijednosti, visinu, težinu, BMI) bit će primjenjive u biomedicinskoj praksi. Istraživanje će značajno proširiti bazu podataka o današnjoj populaciji što će omogućiti brojna populacijsko-genetička i genetičko-epidemiološka istraživanja fenotipske i genotipske strukture stanovništva Hrvatske. Takva će baza poslužiti i za detektiranje promjena kompleksnih bioloških svojstava pod utjecajem okolišnih činioca u longitudinalnim antropološkim istraživanjima. Njezin izuzetno vrijedan segment odnosit će se na osobe duboke starosti i bit će temelj budućeg “Registra praćenja stogodišnjaka Hrvatske”.
Croatia’s population structure – An anthropogenetic approach
Project title: Croatia’s population structure – An anthropogenetic approach (MZOS 196-1962766-2751)
Principal investigator: Prof. Pavao Rudan, MD, PhD, member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Duration: 2007 – 2013
Project team:
Summary:
Izolirane populacije (genetički izolati) prikladan su model proučavanja procesa mikroevolucije čovjeka. Činjenica da danas nestaju posljednje autohtone reprodukcijski izolirane otočne populacije Hrvatske i Europe, imperativ je provođenja antropogenetičkih istraživanja otočnog stanovništva Jadrana, kako bi ostali zabilježeni stupanj i uzroci njihove biološke (genetičke) izoliranosti te molekularnogenetička specifičnost, formirani povijesnim migracijama i kontaktima stanovništva. Uz proučavanje tih ciljnih otočnih populacija Hrvatske, projekt je usmjeren i na prostor jugoistočne Europe, jedno od ključnih područja naseljavanja europskog kontinenta još od vremena paleolitika i neolitika. Time je projekt nastavak i proširenje više od tri desetljeća kontinuiranih antropoloških istraživanja stanovništva Hrvatske u cilju: a) nadopune “HRVATSKE ANTROPOLOŠKE I ANTROPOGENOMIČKE BAZE/BANKE” (HAAB); b) unapređenja teorijskih spoznaja antropologije: identifikacije uzroka i posljedica mikroevolucije našeg stanovništva, posebno obrazaca njegove mobilnosti, migracija i naseljavanja tijekom povijesti; c) istraživanja etnografskih izvora, folklorističkih zapisa i rukopisa koji potvrđuju raznolikosti ili sličnosti uočene nakon imigracija u novi biotop; d) pojašnjenja povijesti stanovništva proučavanjem obrazaca genetičkih varijacija suvremenih populacija i njihove genetičke substrukture analizama filogeografske distribucije genetičkih biljega (mtDNA, autosomnih i kromosoma Y) u cjelini, kako bi se postigla najviša rezolucija prikaza antropogenetičke varijabilnosti današnjeg stanovništva Hrvatske u rekonstrukciji genetičke povijesti suvremenih populacija ovoga dijela Europe. Projekt pruža i podlogu proučavanju e) polimorfizama kandidatskih gena za razvoj kompleksnih svojstava za koje se zna, ili pretpostavlja, da su učestalija u reprodukcijski zatvorenijim zajednicama te f) vanjskih čimbenika (npr. prehrana) kao mogućih uzroka nekih bolesti i mogućnostima njihove prevencije. Istraživanja će se provesti u Institutu za antropologiju već razrađenim holističkim analitičkim pristupom. Rezultati istraživanja proširit će HAAB, a zbog ubrzanog razvoja molekularne genetike u bliskoj budućnosti (nove tehnologije istraživanja) omogućit će otkrivanje novih genetičkih biljega za kompleksna svojstva i biti temelj znanstvenim i primijenjenim antropogenomičkim istraživanjima.
Cultural changes and dynamics of archaeological populations in the eastern Adriatic
Project title: Cultural changes and dynamics of archaeological populations in the eastern Adriatic (MZOS 196-1962766-2740)
Principal investigator: Prof. Stašo Forenbaher, PhD
Duration: 2007 – 2013
Project team:
Summary:
Prostor istočnog Jadrana naseljen je već stotinama tisuća godina, no mnoge pojedinosti populacijske dinamike tijekom tog dugog razdoblja nisu nam poznate. Iz niza otvorenih ili nedovoljno razjašnjenih pitanja izdvajamo: najranije naseljavanje regije; dolazak anatomski modernog čovjeka; naseljenost regije početkom holocena; proces širenja zemljoradnje; restrukturiranje društva potkraj bakrenog doba; te uključivanje u klasičnu civilizaciju Sredozemlja. Cilj predloženog istraživanja je pridonijeti poznavanju razdoblja u prošlosti istočnog Jadrana koja su bila obilježena kulturološkim i demografskim kontinuitetom, te definirati epizode intenzivnih kulturoloških i demografskih promjena tijekom pretpovijesti i starije povijesti. Inovacija, difuzija i migracija temeljni su procesi kulturološke promjene. Glavna je pretpostavka istraživanja da migracije prate nagle, sveobuhvatne kulturološke promjene koje se odražavaju u arheološkoj građi (posmrtnim ostacima ljudi i njihove materijalne kulture). Rezultati analiza građe prikupljene s niza istočnojadranskih arheoloških nalazišta omogućit će detaljniju rekonstrukciju populacijske dinamike tijekom pleistocena i holocena, procjenu utjecaja promjena prirodnog okoliša na dinamiku ljudskih populacija, kao i utjecaja populacijske dinamike na prirodni okoliš, te procjenu kulturnih i bioloških udaljenosti (u prostoru i vremenu) među analiziranim skupinama. Usporedba pokazatelja temeljenih na materijalnoj kulturi s pokazateljima temeljenim na analizama posmrtnih ostataka ljudi omogućit će provjeru glavne pretpostavke istraživanja. Provjera rezultata omogućit će se upućivanjem na recenziju znanstvenih radova i priopćenja, ocjenjivanjem kvalifikacijskih radova suradnika, prezentiranjem rezultata istraživanja u javnim glasilima, na izložbama i istraživanim nalazištima, te procjenjivanjem redovnih godišnjih izviješća rada na projektu. Sagledavanje naših kulturoloških i bioloških korijena neizostavni je dio cjelovitog objašnjenja današnje populacijske strukture Hrvatske. Te su spoznaje bitne za razumijevanje i racionalno sagledavanje povijesnih elemenata koji su ugrađeni u naš kulturni identitet i definiraju naše mjesto unutar globalne zajednice. Saznanja o antropogenim utjecajima na prirodni okoliš u prošlosti važna su za cjelovitije sagledavanje promjena prirodnog okoliša kojima danas svjedočimo. Pojedina istraživana nalazišta mogu se turistički prezentirati i time doprinijeti razvoju lokalnog gospodarstva.
Suvremena transformacija lokalnih jezičnih zajednica i kulturna raznolikost
Project title: Contemporary transformation of local language communities and cultural diversity (MZOS 196-1962766-2743)
Principal investigator: Prof. Anita Sujoldžić, PhD
Duration: 2007 – 2013
Project team:
Olga Orlić, PhD, Institute for Anthropological Research
Mirna Jernej Pulić, Institute for Anthropological Research
Josip Lah, Institute for Anthropological Research
Senka Božić-Vrbančić, PhD, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Zadar
Prof. Zrinjka Glovacki-Bernardi, PhD, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Zagreb
Prof. Petar Šimunović, PhD, member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Orof. Linda A. Bennett, Memphis State University, USA
Prof. Glenn Bowman, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK
Prof. Julie Park, University of Auckland, New Zealand
Summary:
Projekt je nastavak istraživanja povijesnih i suvremenih akulturacijskih procesa lokalnih jezičnih i kulturnih zajednica. Ono se proširuje prostorno (uključivanjem drugih otoka), uvodi se dijakronijska dimenzija u proučavanju dalmatinskih otoka i produbljuje predmetno uvođenjem novih antropo-lingvističkih analiza usmjerenih na važnost lokalnih govora za kulturni identitet. Ključne polazišne spoznaje odnose se na sagledavanje jezika kao temelja kulture i govora kao kulturne prakse. Ciljevi projekta usmjereni su na teorijski i empirijski doprinos razumijevanju kulturne (jezične) raznolikosti u kontekstu politike pluralizma u suvremenoj Hrvatskoj. Specifični ciljevi odnose se na nastavak istraživanja jezične (kulturne) mikroevolucije populacija jadranskih otoka u cilju procjene regionalne populacijske strukture, procjenu smjera i intenziteta suvremenih jezičnih promjena lokalnih zajednica, njihove važnosti za konstruiranje kulturnog identiteta i razvoj metoda vizualne antropologije u prikupljanju i analizi podataka.
Očekivani rezultati odnose se na utvrdjivanje dinamike, smjera i sadržaja transformacijskih procesa lokalnih jezičnih zajednica ispitivanog područja na sinkronijskoj i dijakronijskoj razini jezične strukture, jezične upotrebe i njihove ideološke uvjetovanosti te jezičnog identiteta, kao pokazateljima širih kulturnih i društvenih procesa, posebno obzirom na mladju dobnu skupinu ispitanika. Istraživanja kulturnog identiteta od prioritetnog su značenja za budućnost društva u cjelini u smislu poželjnog razvoja interkulturalnog identiteta, posebno obzirom na potrebe mladih, koje u procesu oblikovanja njihova vlastitog identiteta, između ostalog, uključuju kako dostupnost i ovladavanje jezikom moći (standardom) tako i pozitivnu recepciju njihovih lokalnih materinskih idioma kao uporišta tog identiteta, osobito u ranom edukacijskom procesu.
Languages in a Network of European Excellence (LINEE)
Project title: Languages in a Network of European Excellence (LINEE)
Coordinator: University of Bern (CH)
Principal investigator at the organisational level: Prof. Anita Sujoldžić, PhD
Duration: 2006 – 2010
Funding programme: FP6 (European Commission)
Project web-site: http://www.linee.info/
Partners:
University of Vienna (AT)
Charles University, Prague (CZ)
Free University of Bozen – Bolzano (IT)
Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb (HR)
University of Southampton (UK)
University of Szeged (HU)
University of Applied Languages, Munich (DE)
Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznan (PL)
Catholic University of Brussels (BE)
University of Latvia (LV)
Pavao Rudan
Vesna Muhvić-Dimanovski
Senka Božić-Vrbančić
Mislava Bertoša
Anita Skelin Horvat
Lucija Šimičić
Olga Orlić
Mirna Jernej
Summary:
LINEE (Languages in a Network of European Excellence) is a European scientific network of 9 European universities, involving around 80 researchers. The general aim of LINEE is to investigate linguistic diversity in Europe in a coherent and interdisciplinary way, by developing an innovative, visible and durable scientific network that can overcome scientific fragmentation and serve as a world-wide quality and knowledge-based reference framework.
In particular, LINEE aims to produce coherent, innovative research results by an interdisciplinary approach, integrate knowledge of partner universities, establish a durable, innovative scientific network, reassess traditional research, and raise the visibility of linguistic diversity in Europe as a key issue in European integration. The research space will be re-defined through the development of new methodological and theoretical platforms, which can serve as benchmarks for a concept of “New Multilingualism”.
Research within LINEE is organized in four Thematic Areas, each divided into three levels of analysis (European, national and regional):
- Language, Identity and Culture: Examines how language, identity and culture relate to each other and by what other factors they might be influenced in which way.
- Language Policy and Planning: Examines the adequacy of the existing language policy and language planning efforts in the EU countries.
- Multilingualism and Education: Examines how young people develop an embracing capacity to behave in a flexible and adequate manner in concrete multilingual contexts.
- Language and Economy: Examines the interplay between language and economy and aims to provide results that can impact on the building of a knowledge-based society.
The scientific activities of the Institute for Anthropological research fell mostly within the Thematic area on Language, Identity and Culture (Supervisor: Professor Anita Sujoldžić), more precisely within the following projects: “Carriers and symbols of European culture and identity”; “Europeanization and the reshaping of cultural tourism and cultural industry”; “Language and concepts of national identity”; “Promoting national identity internationally”;
“Local and regional varieties as markers of identity”; “Politics and strategies of identity in multicultural European cities”.
Because of bridge-building between theory and practice, a focus on conflict neutralisation mechanisms and the dissemination of reliable knowledge to the scientific community and other actors dealing with policy issues, LINEE will also aim to provide unbiased scientific expertise to several actors dealing with multilingualism and multiculturalism, such as policy-makers, scientists, stakeholders addressing language diversity and practitioners.
Genetics of metabolic syndrome in an island population
Project title: Genetics of metabolic syndrome in an island population
Co-Principal Investigators:
Prof. Pavao Rudan, MD, PhD, member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Institute for Anthropological Research
Prof. Ranjan Deka, MD, PhD, Departament of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, USA
Duration: 2006 – 2008
Funding body: National Institutes of Health, USA
Project team:
Summary:
A thorough investigation on epidemiology and genetics of MetS in an isolated population from the island of Hvar in the eastern Adriatic coast of Croatia is undertaken. The value of isolated population in complex disease gene mapping has been widely documented. The study population has a high prevalence of MetS, is ethnically relevant to the general US population, with its distinct evolutionary history of recent founding by small number of Slavic founders, geographic isolation, environmental homogeneity, extended family sizes provides a unique opportunity to understand the genetics of MetS.
The study has enormous public health importance and its scientific merit is substantial with the potential of understanding the genetic etiology of MetS. An ideal population for this research has been studied; our use of dense SNP markers for linkage and association is a state-of-the-art approach and has enormous promise for identifying loci and gene variants underlying MetS.
Cultural sensitivity and competence in adolescent mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention
Partners:
Institute for Anthropological Research, Croatia
University of Tirana, Albania
University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Principal investigator at the organisational level: Prof. Anita Sujoldžić, PhD
Summary:
The proposed support action will promote the exploitation of the results of the R&D project (ICA2-2002-10006). Within this framework, it is dedicated to the priority in the domain of health of the Call for Support Actions in Western Balkan Countries, focusing on the evidence-based mental health interventions in immigrant/refugee youth through community-based participatory approach and knowledge building that are aimed at increasing capacity of both WBC and Member States countries to minimize the adverse consequences of the post-conflict and post-trauma health problems. In view of these objectives the action is primarily dedicated to incorporate appropriate “best practices” in the project activities, identified by the systematic review of international research literature to be effective in promoting adolescent mental health in cross-cultural populations and raising cultural awareness. The research will be involved in developing and implementing targeted educational, culturally appropriate information kit for youth and their parents, flexible education and training programme and manual on transcultural and migration issues in youth mental health to be delivered in workshop format, seminars or presentations to mental health service providers, social workers, school counselors and ethnic community members. These actions will contribute to visibility of mental health within the general framework of public health in involved WB countries and will help to develop or adapt policy, local service and institutions to the needs of individuals and families from refugee and immigrant background.
Results:
Population Structure and Genetic History of Western Balkan Roma
Project title: Population Structure and Genetic History of Western Balkan Roma (project no. 7349)
Principal investigator: Irena Martinović Klarić, PhD
Duration: 2005 – 2008
Funding body: Wenner-Gren Foundation, USA
Summary:
The field research was focused on the study of the Bayash, a branch of Romanian speaking Roma consisting of numerous groups living dispersedly in Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe. Whereas the study of matrilinear heritage is underway, the origin and molecular architecture and of the Croatian Bayash paternal gene pool has been unveiled. The Bayash in Croatia represent one population of largely shared paternal genetic history characterized by a substantial percentage (44%) of common H1-M82 and E3b1-M78 lineages. Limited diversity of Indian specific H1-M82 lineages imply descent from closely related paternal ancestors from India, whereas substantial percentage of E3b1 lineages and high associated microsatellite variance is a reflection of significant admixture with majority populations from Southeastern Europe. Additional, although modest, traces of admixture are evident in the low frequencies of typical European haplogroups such as J2-M172, R1a-SRY1532, I1a-M253, R1b3-M269, G-M201 and I1b*-P37. Two phenomena are apparent in Croatian Bayash and analyzed European Romani populations: genetic homogeneity as a consequence of massive sharing of identical, ancestral Indian patrilineages in parallel with population differentiation based on variable distribution of less frequent, but typical European patrilineages introduced via more recent episodes of gene flow.
Mapping genes underlying complex quantitative traits in Croatian isolate population
Principal investigator at the organisational level: Prof. Pavap Rudan, MD, PhD, member of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb (Prof. Igor Rudan)
Medical Research Council, Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh (Prof. Alan Wright, Prof. Andrew Carothers)
The University Court of the University of Edinburgh (Prof. Harry Campbell)
Managment Board:
Prof. N.D. Hastie, MRC HGU
Dr. Kate Wilson, MRC HGU
Dr. Gordon Murray, EU
Prof. Pavao Rudan, IAR
Prof. Ulf Gyllensten, Uppsala University
Funding body: Medical Research Council, Human Genetics Unit, Edinburgh, UK
The aim of this study is to map and identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) concerned with risk factors to common diseases in an isolate population.
The key factors required for such a study are as follows:
1. Geographic isolation. The islands of the Dalmatian coast are wll established geographic and population studies.
2. Reduced genetic diversity. In the Dalmatian coast isolates, endogamy is high, and was encouraged both by economic and geographic factors. The island populations show a range of inbreeding patterns.
3. Population stability. Generally high, due to low immigration, although i varies depending on locality.
4. Environmental uniformity. The comparative environmental uniformity of this island population, for example in terms of diet, socio-economic status and physical activity, is one of the major advantages of a study in this region.
5. Accurate genealogical information. The church archives have good records dation to the 17th century which allows the construction of accurate pedigrees. Thi is an essential components to the study since most of the power of QTL mapping lies in the use of identify-by-descent (IBD) information.
Health Problems, Mental Disorders and Cross-Cultural Aspects of Developing Effective Rehabilitation Procedures for the Refugees of the War-Affected Countries
Prof. dr. Reiner Buchegger, Johannes Kepler Universitat, Austria
Prof. dr. Rifet Terzić, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Prof. dr. Ibrahim Behluli, University of Prishtina, Medical Faculty, Kosovo
Prof. dr. Zyri Bajrami, University of Tirana, Natural Sciences Faculty, Albania
Summary:
The project is an international comparative study on risk and protective factors of adolescent health and well being, with particular focus on youth with refugee (or immigrant) experience. Related to the quality of life and health outcomes of adolescent youth it looks at group-specific differences within different socio-cultural contexts across six European countries, including those with high long-term immigration rates (Italy and Austria) and those of post-conflict communities (Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Albania). It combines both quantitative and qualitative methods, using a common set-up across all countries involved with the goal of collecting comparable data on adolescents to allow cross-country analyses. Key research questions refer to the assessment of risk and protective factors and resilience affecting psychosocial health of adolescent refugees/immigrants within highly divergent life situations in family, school and community settings, and in highly divergent cultural and contextual settings of different countries. The consideration of the interaction of both developmental intra-personal and inter-personal factors of adolescent integration, as well as its broader ideological, cultural and socio-economic context in particular countries, should help to detect mechanisms that can counterbalance health hazards of “sequential traumatization,” and to implement more efficient preventive mental health rehabilitation programs for these particularly vulnerable victims of post-conflict communitiesAn international standard version of protective and risk factor screening survey as a tool to identify adolescents who may benefit from medical or mental health services was developed. It provides data on the interactive influence of main risk and protective factors identified in different domains, including community, school, family, the peer group, and the individual as well as its consequences on youth outcomes in terms of general health and behavior as well as psychological distress, well-being, and resilience.The total sample collected in all countries involved amounts to over 4800 adolescents who completed the core survey questionnaire in schools.
The obtained results provide important empirical data on the most salient problems connected to psychosocial adjustment and experience of adolescent immigrants and refugees in six countries of resettlement. The study has identified a range of specific risk and protective factors associated with various settings (family, school, community) and additional to those recognized as relevant to adolescents generally, which are uncovering a complex interaction between the young person, their family, and their social, economic and cultural environments.
Islands in Transition: Anthropological Analysis
Project title: Islands in Transition: Anthropological Analysis (98 CRO 305)
Principal Investigator: Prof. Pavao Rudan
Co-Principal Investigators: Prof. Guy Heyden, Branka Janićijević, Igor Rudan, Nina Smolej Narančić, Anita Sujoldžić, Sanja M. Špoljar-Vržina
Duration: 1999
Scientific Consultants: Prof. Paul T. Baker, Prof. Derek F. Roberts, Prof. Robert R. Sokal
Project team: Stašo Forenbaher, Irena Martinović Klarić, Jasna Miličić, Vlasta Rudan, Lajos Szirovicza, Lovorka Barać, Snježana Čolić, Tomislav Lauc, Ana Malnar, Marijana Peričić, Diana Rudan
The project represents a logical continuation of study of cultural and biological microdifferentiation of rural populations on the Middle Dalmatian island of Hvar in Croatia. Investigations were extended topically and geographically, while maintaining the core of cultural and biological components of the previous research and pursuing the holistic analytic approach in understanding the complexity of MAB problems.
Biological and cultural microdifferentation among rural populations
Principal investigator: Prof. Pavao Rudan, MD, PhD
Co-principal investigator: Prof. Linda A. Bennett, PhD
Duration: 1995 – 1998
Funding body: Smithsonian Institution, USA
Consultants: Prof. Paul T. Baker, Prof. Derek F. Roberts, Prof. Robert R. Sokal
Project team: M.K. Gilliland, B. Janićijević, V. Jovanović, J. Miličić, V. Rudan, N. Smolej Narančić, A. Sujoldžić, S.M. Špoljar Vržina, D.M. Waddle, S. Martić Biočina, I. Rudan, S. Čolić, A. Marković Malnar, I. Martinović Klarić, L. Szirovicza, M. Bakran, L. Barać, M. Peričić
The research project included the fieldwork that was carried out by the multidisciplinary research team of the Institute for Anthropological Research. It comprised classical methodology used over the course of last project terms as well as the new DNA analyses. Additionally, the research concerning the problems of refugees and displaced persons was also carried out. It indicated that there is a necessity of conducting the applied anthropological investigations aimed at the benefit of these populations. Since they are influenced by specific and stressful living situations, the population structure changes much faster than it would under conditions normal for the other contemporary populations of Europe.
The study and care of refugees families – The pilot study of anthropological and psychodynamic aspects
Project title: The study and care of refugee families – The pilot study of anthropological and psychodynamic aspects (2954-1994)
Principal investigator: Prof. Pavao Rudan, MD, PhD
Co-principal investigator: Prof. Dubravka Maleš, PhD
Supervisor: Prof. Guy Heyden, PhD
Project team:
Snježana Čolić (social anthropology)
Mary K. Gilliland (cultural anthropology)
Branka Janićijević (human genetics)
Veljko Jovanović (mathematical modelling)
Jasna Miličić (human genetics)
Josip Perinić (medical anthropology)
Vlasta Rudan (psychiatrist – psychotherapist)
Nina Smolej Narančić (biological anthropology)
Anita Sujoldžić (cultural anthropology)
Mario Šlaus (forensic anthropology)
Sanja M. Špoljar Vržina (psychodynamic anthropology)
Project represents a multidisciplinary approach in the attempt of identifying crucial problems concerning displaced persons, refugees and their families. Particular emphasis is put on anthropological, psychodynamic and pedagogical study of the latter concerning the island of Hvar in the Eastern Adriatic region of Croatia.
Project focuses on:
1. Problems of integration and assimilation of displaced and refugee populations in communities and with respect to host populations who have different social structures and cultural orientations
2. Evaluation of problems associated with the re-organization of families as a result of loss, primarily of husbands, fathers and sons
3. Mental health problems of the high risk groups concerning the new circumstances of their living
4. Analysis of the mechanisms of self-organization in coping with changed life situation
5. Studying problems related to all aspects of altered childhoods caused by war, dislocation of civilians, violence and changed qualities of family life
6. Studying some elements of the acculturation process concerning the host-culture population and refugees and displaced persons.
The ultimate goal of the investigation is to produce a model that could be useful for application in other societies/countries which are currently going through similar social and political changes, and in those where the same traumatic processes could occur in the future.
