CULTMED – Interdisciplinary Research on Cultural and Media Policies and Practices: Developmental and Democratic Potentials


About project
Abbreviation: CULTMED
Project Coordinator: IRMO
Funding: NPOO, NextGenEU
Duration: 31.12.2023. – 31.12.2027.
Project web page: https://kultura.irmo.hr/cultmed
CroRIS web page: https://www.croris.hr/projekti/projekt/9314
The CULTMED project focuses on research related to the development of culture and cultural policy, media and media policy in Croatia and defines the local, regional, national, European and global environment of culture and media in Croatia. This includes the analysis of: cultural and media policies and strategies in Croatia and the EU; cultural and creative industries; cultural heritage as a developmental resource; and the economy of culture and decision-making processes that determine the direction of the overall cultural development. Special attention will be paid to the origins and causes of changes in cultural and media policy, including changes related to the concepts, orientations and paradigms of cultural and media policy that interact with other public policies and have a transversal impact on them. Attention will also be paid to the democratization of cultural policy with a focus on accessibility, sustainability and pluralism in the management of the cultural sector, public resources in culture and the creation of new forms of management of organizations and institutions. Political, economic and social changes in the media will be investigated, especially in the areas of digital infrastructures, new business models and public services, and citizens’ digital skills. By analyzing the cultural, media and communication environment in the international, European and national context and by defining the socio-technological foundations and institutional frameworks of cultural and media policy, the project aims to contribute to the strengthening of the democratic principles of responsibility, representation and participation in the Republic of Croatia and to provide scientific bases for the informed creation of cultural and media policies. The project will establish two research centers through which project activities will be carried out: CULTURELINK and CEMEDIG.
News
Conference Report: The European Union’s Digital Decade Policy – Regulation, Development, and Social Impact
Organised by the Centre for Sociology of Media and the Digital Society (CEMEDIG) at the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), a public forum titled “The European Union’s Digital Decade Policy: Regulation, Development, and Social Impact” was...
What role does data play in 21st-century development?
Though ubiquitous, the metaphor of data as the new oil of capitalism conceals the complex developmental logic underpinning contemporary digital economies. Digital transformation is increasingly framed as a developmental imperative, with states adopting industrial...
Lectures at the ENCATC Academy on Sustainability in Cultural Management and Cultural Policy
Dr. Dea Vidović, senior assistant and collaborator on the CULTMED project, delivered lectures on funders’ approaches to sustainability, as well as on wellbeing and sustainable transformation in the cultural and creative sector. The 13th edition of the ENCATC Academy...
Dr. Dea Vidović at International Gathering Dedicated to the Future of Philanthropy
Dr. Dea Vidović, senior assistant and collaborator on the CULTMED project, participated in the international Futures Philanthropy Gathering of Leaders titled "Building Bridges: Reclaiming Agency," held from April 2 to 5, 2025, at the Tilal Utique art residency in...
Dr. Dea Vidović Delivered Guest Lecture at the Sibelius Academy
Dr. Dea Vidović, senior assistant and associate on the CULTMED project, delivered lectures on sustainable leadership in culture. During the spring semester, as part of the master's program in Arts Management, Society, and Creative Entrepreneurship at the Sibelius...
The European Union’s Digital Decade Policy: Regulation, Development, and Societal Impact
On Tuesday, 29 April 2025, a public discussion titled The European Union’s Digital Decade Policy: Regulation, Development, and Social Impact will take place at the House of Europe (Augusta Cesarca 4, Zagreb). The event is organised by the Centre for the Sociology of...
Dr. Aleksandra Uzelac and Barbara Lovrinić Higgins Co-Authored Article in the Journal ‘Heritage’ (WoS, Scopus)
Dr. Aleksandra Uzelac and Barbara Lovrinić Higgins, researchers at the Department of Culture and Communication at IRMO, have published the article "From Data to Impact: Assessing the Value of Cultural Heritage in the Digital Age". The article was published in the...
A public debate on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA)
A public debate on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) was organised by the Centre for Media Sociology and Digital Society (CEMEDI) of the Institute for Development and International Relations to create a participatory and inclusive exchange of knowledge on the...
The European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) and the risks to media pluralism
The CEMEDIG Center invites you to a discussion on the European Media Freedom Act on February 20 at the Institute for Development and International Relations library, starting at 10 AM. Infrastructures fulfil their social and developmental role when managed as a shared...
Dr. Jaka Primorac Co-Authors Article in the Journal ‘Cultural Trends’ (WoS, Scopus)
Jaka Primorac, PhD from the Department of Culture and Communication at IRMO, in co-authorship with Željka Tonković, PhD, Krešimir Krolo, PhD (Department of Sociology, University of Zadar) and Karin Doolan, PhD (Institute for Social Research in Zagreb-IDIZ), has...
Call for applications to the international conference
Dr Paško Bilić, coordinator of Research Network 18 of the European Sociological Association, invites all interested participants to apply for the international conference Communication and Capital(ism) to be held at the University of Ljubljana from August 28 to 30,...
Lecture and discussion on social responsibility and ethics in science
On 28 January, senior research associate Dr Marija Brajdić-Vuković, head of the Centre for Research in Science, Work and Sustainability at the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb and principal investigator of the HRZZ of the RESETH project, held a guest lecture...
The process of developing the Cultural Development Program of the City of Osijek 2025-2030 has begun
On Thursday, January 23, 2025, Dr Dea Vidović from the Institute for Development and International Relations presented the process of creating the Cultural Development Program for the City of Osijek for the five-year period 2025-2030 at the Osijek Cultural Center. The...
Call for Applications for an International Summer School
Political Economies of the Media. Theories and Methods, an advanced postgraduate course. Šibenik, Croatia, 9 - 12 September 2025 Keynote Speakers: Micky Lee, Suffolk University, USA Mandy Troeger, University of Tuebingen, Germany Course Directors: Thomas Allmer,...
The meeting of the HRZZ DEVELOPER project
On September 20, 2025, a meeting of the HRZZ project "Digital Data, Infrastructures and Development" (DEVELOPER) was held in the library of the Institute. The participants discussed upcoming work activities in the second and third project years, particularly focusing...
Deadline Extended for Abstract Submission for the Book “Cultural Diversity, Cultural Networks, and Cultural Policies: The Legacy of Biserka Cvjetičanin’s Cultural Optimism”
The Culturelink Center announces that the deadline for submitting abstracts for the collection of papers titled “Cultural Diversity, Cultural Networks, and Cultural Policies: The Legacy of Biserka Cvjetičanin’s Cultural Optimism” has been extended to February 10,...
IRMO aktualno “Small European Film Markets and Domestic Film Export”
In the new issue of IRMO Aktualno, the authors Dr. Jaka Primorac and Lucija Gegić, collaborators on the CULTMED project, present research results from the Horizon Europe project CresCine – Increasing the International Competitiveness of the Film Industry in Small...
Overview of CULTMED 2024
In 2024, the Department of Culture and Communication at IRMO began work on the four-year project CULTMED – Interdisciplinary Research of Cultural and Media Policies and Practices: Developmental and Democratic Potentials. Two centres were established as part of the...
Research on European Digital Policies
Dr Paško Bilić, head of the Center for Sociology of Media and Digital Society (CEMEDIG) and external collaborators Dr Petra Rodik and Nikolina Rajković conducted research on European digital policy, i.e. conducted a detailed analysis of policy documents of the...
Cultural Participation: Inga Tomić-Koludrović and Mirko Petrić Deliver Lecture on “Cultural Participation and Social Inequalities in Europe” at IRMO Library
The second lecture in the Culturelink Guest Lecture Series, which is held as part of the CULTMED project, occurred on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at the Library of the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO). Croatian sociologists Inga...
IRMO aktualno „One step forward, two steps back: participatory governance and the new directions of democratization of the cultural system in Croatia – experience 15 year of operation of Pogon – Zagreb Center for Independent Culture and Youth”
In the latest issue of IRMO Aktualno, Dr. Ana Žuvela, associate on the CULTMED project, examines the processes of democratizing the cultural system in Croatia through participatory governance practices, using the example of Pogon – Center for Independent Culture and...
Book of Abstracts from the 15th Annual International Conference Small Cinemas Published
The 15th Annual International Small Cinemas Conference has concluded. Organized by the Department of Culture and Communication at the Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO) in collaboration with the Zagreb Film Festival (ZFF) and the Academy of...
CresCine and Small Cinemas in the new episode of Filmomania on HR3
A new episode of Filmomanija on Croatian Radio is dedicated to the 15th Annual International Small Cinemas Conference, held from November 5-7 at the F22 Stage of the Academy of Dramatic Art (ADU) in Zagreb. This international conference brought together film experts,...
Culturelink Guest Lecture Series: Lecture by Inga Tomić-Koludrović and Mirko Petrić – ‘Cultural Participation and Social Inequalities in Europe’
As part of the CULTMED project, CULTURELINK – The Centre for Research in Cultural Policy, Development and Cooperation is inviting you to the second lecture within the Culturelink Guest Lecture Series, which will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 4 p.m. in the...
Final cut! The 15th Annual Small Cinemas International Conference has closed
The 15th Annual International Small Cinemas Conference entitled Changing Policies, Transforming Audiences and Work Practices In-flux, which took place this year from November 5 to 7, 2024, at the F22 Hall in Zagreb, has closed. The conference was organized by the...
CULTMED collaborator held a lecture as a part of an educational program on the labour rights of cultural workers and artists
The CULTMED project collaborator Jaka Primorac, PhD, from the Department of Culture and Communication, IRMO, held a lecture on the 12th of November 2024 at the Zagreb Society of Architects (DAZ) titled 'Work and Employment in Culture: Overview of the Field. The...
Light, camera, action – 15th annual international Small Cinemas Conference starts tommorrow
We’re just a few days away from the 15th annual international Small Cinemas Conference – Changing Policies, Transforming Audiences and Work Practices In-flux, which will take place from November 5 to 7 at the F22 Venue (Frankopanska 22), focusing on the latest...
Results of the HRZZ DEVELOPER project published
Toni Prug, team member of the “Digital Data, Infrastructures and Development” (DEVELOPER) project, and Paško Bilić, principal investigator, published an Online First article titled “Unlocking Public Infrastructures: State Aid and the Common European Dana Space”. The...
CULTMED collaborator at the Sociology of Development conference in Washington D.C.
The CULTMED project colalborator Dr. Paško Bilić participated in the 10th annual conference of the Sociology of Development section of the American Sociological Association, which was held in Washington, D.C., from October 18 to 20. The conference was hosted by the...
In the journal “@rhivi”, the books “Holistic Impact Assessment of Cultural Heitage Interventions – The SoPHIA Model” and “Digital Transformation and Cultural Policies in Europe” were featured
In the Issue 15/2024 of the journal “@rhivi”, the books “Holistic Impact Assessment of Cultural Heritage Interventions – The SoPHIA Model” and “Digital Transformation and Cultural Policies in Europe” by authors and editors from the Institute for Development and...
Kulturpunkt published an interview with Dr. Steven Hadley
Upon the launch of the CULTURELINK Centre for Research in Cultural Policy, Development and Cooperation at IRMO, on September 24th, 2024, Professor Steven Hadley, an award-winning cultural policy scholar from Trinity College Dublin in Ireland held a lecture titled...
Program of the 15th Annual International Small Cinemas Conference has been announced
The program for the 15th Annual International Small Cinemas Conference, titled Changing Policies, Transforming Audiences, and Work Practices In-flux, has been officially announced. The conference will be held in Zagreb at the New Academic Scene F22 from November 5 to...
CULTMED coordinator participated at 4th DARIAH-HR International Conference ‘Digital Humanities & Heritage: Legacy and Innovation’
Dr Aleksandra Uzelac participated in the 4th DARIAH-HR International Conference 'Digital Humanities & Heritage: Legacy and Innovation' held in Split from 9th until 11th October 2024. The conference has been co-organized by the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore...
IRMO researchers published the Manual for Participatory Planning and Management of Cultural Heritage
The Manual for Participatory Planning and Management of Cultural Heritage, authored by IRMO researchers, Ana Žuvela, Ph.D., CULTMED project collaborate, Daniela Angelina Jelinčić, Ph.D., Sanja Tišma, BORE project collaborates Ph.D., and Ph.D. student Matea Senkić, has...
Memorial Conference “Cultural Diversity, Networks, and Cultural Policies: The Legacy of Cultural Optimism of Biserka Cvjetičanin” Held as a Tribute to the Esteemed International Scholar and IRMO Emerita, Biserka Cvjetičanin
Organized by the CULTURELINK Centre of the Institute for Development and International Relations and the Centre for Democracy and Law Miko Tripalo, as a part of the CULTMED project, an international memorial conference titled “Cultural Diversity, Networks, and...
Lecture by Dr Steven Hadley – “Cultural Policy Realism – What is to be Done?” as part of the Culturelink Guest Lecture Series held at IRMO
Upon the launch of the Centre for Research in Cultural Policy, Development and Cooperation – CULTURELINK at the Department of Culture and Communications, Institute for Development and International Relations, on September 24th, 2024, as a part of the CULTMED project,...
Call for Papers for an Edited Book “Cultural Diversity, Cultural Networks, and Cultural Policies: The Legacy of Biserka Cvjetičanin’s Cultural Optimism”
As part of the CULTMET project, the Culturelink Center announces a call for papers for an edited volume titled: "Cultural Diversity, Cultural Networks, and Cultural Policies: The Legacy of Biserka Cvjetičanin's Cultural Optimism," which will be published as part of...
CULTMED collaborator participated in the international conference and the Assembly of the Compendium Association in Podgorica, Montenegro
From September 25 to 28, 2024, collaborator on the CULTMED project Dr. Jaka Primorac participated in the International Conference on Cultural Policies entitled "Cultural Policies. Developments. Perspectives" and at the Seventh Assembly of Members and Expert Meeting of...
CULTMED collaborator joined the Summer School on Zlarin
Senior Associate Iva Tolić Mandić from the Department of Resource Economics, Environmental Protection, and Regional Development, along with Research Assistant Lucija Gegić from the Department of Culture and Communications, participated in the summer school of the...
IRMO aktualno „Key elements of the European Union’s digital policies: what is it transforming anyway?“
In the latest issue of IRMO Aktualno, Dr. Paško Bilić, the associate on the CULTMED project, provides an overview of critical evaluations of public policies related to the European digital transformation. Discursive expectations, legitimized through projections and...
Memorial Conference – Cultural diversity, cultural networks and cultural policies: The legacy of Biserka Cvjetičanin’s cultural optimism
Friday, 4 October 2024, 10h, Kuća Europe, Ul. Augusta Cesarca 4-6, Zagreb As a part of the CULTMED project, the CULTURELINK Centre / IRMO, in cooperation with the Centre for Democracy and Law Miko Tripalo, is inviting you to the memorial conference “Cultural...
Culturelink Guest Lecture Series: Lecture by Steven Hadley – “Cultural Policy Realism – What is to be Done?”
As the part of the CULTMED project, CULTURELINK – Centre for Research in Cultural Policy, Development and Cooperation is inviting you to the first lecture within the Culturelink Guest Lecture Series, which will be held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 4 p.m. in the...
The meeting of the HRZZ DEVELOPER project
On September 11, a meeting of the HRZZ project "Digital Data, Infrastructure and Development" (DEVELOPER) was held in the Institute’s library. The meeting focused on key theoretical and developmental concepts. Preliminary results of conducted interviews and document...
CULTMED collaborators participated in the Sixteenth Congress of the European Sociological Society (ESA) in Porto
Dr Jaka Primorac and Dr Paško Bilić, from the Department of Culture and Communications at IRMO, participated in the Sixteenth Congress of the European Sociological Association (ESA), which took place this year from August 24-30 in Porto, Portugal. This year's Congress...
CULTMED collaborators participated in the International Cultural Policy Research Conference (ICCPR) in Warsaw
Collaborators on the CULTMED project, Dr Jaka Primorac and Dr Ana Žuvela, participated in the Thirteenth International Cultural Policy Research Conference (ICCPR) held this year from 19-23rd August at the University of Warsaw. Colleagues Primorac and Žuvela...
First results of the HRZZ DEVELOPER project published
Paško Bilić, principal investigator of the HRZZ project "Data, infrastructures and development" (DEVELOPER) and Mislav Žitko, project member, published the Online First article entitled "Personal data as pseudo-property: between commodification and assetisation". The...
IRMO Research Assistant Participates in Summer School “The Politics of Popular Culture” at the University of Tartu, Estonia
From July 28th to August 11th, 2024, as part of the CULTMED project, Lucija Gegić, research assistant in the Department of Culture and Communications, participated in the summer school at the University of Tartu in Estonia, attending the course titled 'The Politics of...
CULTMED collaborator participated in the annual IAMCR conference in Christchurch, New Zealand
IRMO researcher Dr Jaka Primorac participated in the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) 's annual conference this year in Christchurch, New Zealand. The conference, which was organized by the University of Canterbury from June 30 to...
CULTMED collaborator published a co-authored article in the Journal of Civil Society (WOS, Scopus)
CULTMED project collaborator Dr Jaka Primorac from the Department for Culture and Communication, IRMO, in collaboration with researchers Dr Karin Doolan, Associate Professor Valerija Barada, PhD from the Department of Sociology at the University of Zadar, and Dr...
Participation of an IRMO Representative in UNESCO’s Reflection Group on the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in the Digital Environment
Aleksandra Uzelac, PhD, Head of IRMO's Department of Culture and Communication and CULTMED project coordinator, joined 17 more international experts in the field of culture to participate in the work of UNESCO’s Reflection Group on the Diversity of Cultural...
Memorial Conference ‘Cultural Diversity, Networks, and Cultural Policies: The Legacy of Biserka Cvjetičanin’s Cultural Optimism’
October 4, 2024, House of Europe, Zagreb SAVE THE DATE As part of the CULTMED project, the CULTURELINK Center / IRMO, in cooperation with the Miko Tripalo Center, is preparing a memorial conference in honor of our long-time and respected colleague, Dr. Biserka...
Results of the CresCine project presented at the 77th Cannes Film Festival
This year, the representatives of the CresCine consortium showcased the results of its research project at the Cannes Film Festival during the Marché du Film, the industry part of the festival. The Horizon Europe CresCine project aims to increase the competitiveness...
CULTMED collaborator participated at the ‘Media Industries 2024’ conference at King’s College London
From April 16-29, 2024, IRMO researcher and CULTMED project collaborator Jaka Primorac, PhD participated at the Media Industries 2024 conference, held at King’s College London, United Kingdom. Dr Primorac participated in the conference as part of the panel titled...
Double special issue of ‘Critical Sociology’ (WoS, Scopus, Q1) published
The CULTMED project collaborator Paško Bilić (CEMEDIG, IRMO) and Thomas Allmer (Paderborn University, Germany) are editors of a special issue of the journal Critical Sociology (SAGE) entitled ‘Critical Sociology of Media and Communication: Theoretical Contributions to...
Guest lecture held by Professor Linnet Taylor from Tilburg University
On the occasion of the launch of the Centre for Sociology of Media and Digital Society (CEMEDIG) as part of the CULTMED project at the Department of Culture and Communications, Institute for Development and International Relations, Professor Linnet Taylor from Tilburg...
CULTMED coordinator at the 9th Croatian ICARUS Days
The international conference ‘9th ICARUS Croatia Days’ was held at the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek from March 13 to 15, 2024, on the topic of „Heritage Beyond Borders: Cultural and Educational Practices and New Perspectives“. The meeting was attended by the...
Center for Media Sociology and Digital Society launch – guest lecture by Professor Linnet Taylor
On the occasion of the launch of the Center for Sociology of Media and Digital Society (CEMEDIG), as a part of the CULTMED project, at the Department of Culture and Communication, Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), Professor Linnet Taylor...
IRMO Scientific Council accepted the establishment of Centers of excellence CULTURELINK and CEMEDIG
The Scientific Council of the Institute for Development and International Relations, at its meeting on February 27, 2024, accepted the foundation of two Centers of Excellence, CULTURELINK and CEMEDIG, which are being established as part of the CULTMED project -...
New project CULTMED – Interdisciplinary Research on Cultural and Media Policies and Practices: Developmental and Democratic Potentials has started
CULTMED – Interdisciplinary Research on Cultural and Media Policies and Practices: Developmental and Democratic Potentials is a new project of the Department of Culture and Communication at the Institute for Development and International Relations, which commenced on...