Education
2002 PhD in Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences
1999 MA in Sociology, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences
1996 BA in Sociology, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences
Academic rank:
elected Full Professor of Religious Studies, according to the decision of the Rector of the University of Ljubljana, issued on 25.11.2014 on the basis of previously submitted positive decisions of the Habilitation Commission and the Senate of the University of Ljubljana
Employment
2014– Full Professor of Religious Studies, Department of Cultural Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana (FSS, UL)
2013–2014 Ministry of Culture, State Secretary
2008–2013 Associate Professor of Religious Studies, FSS, UL
2007–2009 Head of the Department and Chair of Cultural Studies, FSS, UL
2004–2008 Assistant Professor, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Sciences
1997–2004 Junior Research Fellow, Center of Cultural and Religious Studies, FSS, UL
Visiting Researcher
2012 Fulbright Scholar at the University of California – Berkeley
2000 Oxford University (St. John’s College, “Oxford Hospitality Scheme” Programme)
Elected Positions in Professional Associations
ISORECEA – International Study of Religion in Central and Eastern Europe Association: since 2001 Member of the Board, 2006–2008 Secretary General, 2008–2013 Vice-President
Slovenian Sociological Association: since 2004 President of the Section for Sociology of Religion
Editorial Experience
2005– Initiator and Editor in Chief of “Kult” Book Series (focusing on contemporary religious studies and other contemporary humanistic and social topics)
2011–2012 Editor in Chief, Scholarly Journal Religion and Society in Central and Eastern Europe
2006–2012 Member of the Editorial Board, Scholarly Journal Religion and Society in Central and Eastern Europe
Leadership, Elected, and Other Positions
2013–2014 State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Republic of Slovenia
2011–2013 Member of the Management Board, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana (FSS, UL)
2007–2009 Head of the Department and Chair of Cultural Studies, FSS, UL
2007–2011 Member of the Senate, FSS, UL
2007–2011 Member of the Disciplinary Committee, UL
2003–2007 Member of the Textbook Commission, FSS, UL
The candidate's leadership experience ranges from an academic environment (Head of Department and Chair, activity in professional associations) to the sphere of social affairs in a broader sense (State Secretary at the Ministry of Culture). Furthermore, the candidate performed a series of leadership roles during his studies (President of Šaleški Student Club, Head of the Department of Culture of the Student Association of Ljubljana, Head of the Program and Organization Committee at various festivals carried out by the Student Club etc.).
Scientific Activities, Research
The candidate has participated in numerous Slovene and international studies on contemporary religious activities (see list below). His research has mainly focused on religious pluralism, religious freedom, new religious movements, sociology of religion, oriental religions, and in social and cultural aspects of vegetarianism.
Participation in Research Programmes
- 2009– “The Second Transition and the Production of Meaning: Cultural Aspects of Local Reactions to Globalization on the axis Slovenia-EU-Balkans” – Research Programme funded by the Slovenian Research Agency (SRA)
- 2004–2008 “The Second Transition and the Production of Meaning: Processes of Cultural and Scientific Exchange Between Slovenia, EU and the Balkans” – Research Programme funded by the SRA
- 1999–2003 “Culture and Social Development” – Research Programme funded by the SRA
Participation in Research Projects
- 2007–2010 International Research Project (NORFACE Research Programme: Re-emergence of Religion as a Social Force in Europe?) titled: “What are the Impacts of Religious Diversity? Regions in three European Countries Compared”. Project Leader: Chair of Comparative Religion, Faculty of Protestant Theology, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany. Project Partners: The Center for Cultural and Religious Studies (FSS) and The Church Research Institute (Tampere, Finland). Candidate’s role: Researcher of the FSS Team
- 2007–2011 “Minor Religious Communities as Actors of Religious Change in Croatian Society” – Croatian Research Project. Candidate’s role: Foreign Research Consultant
- 2002–2004 “New Religious Movements in Slovenia” – Post-doctoral project funded by SRA. Candidate’s role: Post-Doctoral Researcher, Project Leader
- 1998–2000 “Comparative sociological analysis of changes in the structure of religiosity in Poland and Slovenia in the 1990s “ – International Bilateral Research project (SLO-POL scientific cooperation)
- 1997–2001 Basic Research Project financed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Republic of Slovenia: “Cultural Studies, Mythological, and Religious Studies’ Aspects of the Relationship between Religious Communities and the State in Slovenia post-1989” (J5-7764). Candidate’s role: Junior Researcher
Teaching Experience
- Since 1996, the candidate has been actively engaged in the teaching process at FSS, UL. Until 2004, he taught seminars in Comparative Religion and Contemporary Cultural Trends; later, he (has) taught various courses on all levels of university studies: Phenomenology of Spirit (2002–2005); New Religious Movements (since 2004); Religion and Culture (since 2005) (undergraduate courses, FSS); Indian Religions and Religion and Contemporary Society (Master’s programme, FSS) and Introduction to Religious Studies (Social Sciences and Humanities Interdisciplinary Doctoral Programme, Field: Religious Studies) (all since 2009).
- As Head of the Department and Chair of Cultural Studies, the candidate played a decisive role in the formation of the Cultural Studies undergraduate programme at the Faculty of Social Studies during one stage of the “Bologna process”. He designed the graduate programme module Religious Studies; he also directs the multidisciplinary PhD programme of Religious Studies at the Faculty of Social Sciences (the programme is run in cooperation with the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Theology).
- Student Supervision: since 2002, he has supervised and co-supervised more than 70 BA and MA theses and 3 PhD theses.
Other Socially and Culturally Relevant Activities
Since 2000, the candidate has regularly made public appearances in digital and printed media (interviews, discussions, etc.) on the topic of contemporary religious, cultural, and social events and dynamics.