Academic Staff Week in Psychology

From September 17 to 19, 2025, the Academic Staff Week in Psychology was held at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Split. This international event brought together researchers and teaching staff from various European universities. The main goal of the three-day event was to strengthen inter-institutional relationships among academic professionals in the field of psychology, exchange best practices in teaching and student support, and enhance psychological support systems for students throughout their studies.

Following the registration of participants, the event was officially opened by Assistant Professor Ivana Jadrić, PhD, who introduced the program and its objectives, emphasizing the importance of networking and collaboration among psychology educators at European universities. This was followed by a presentation of the host institution, during which Assistant Professor Ivan Buljan, PhD, introduced the University of Split, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Department of Psychology.
Professor Ina Reić Ercegovac, PhD, Dean of the Faculty, gave a talk on the wellbeing of students and staff in higher education, highlighting the significance of mental health in academic settings.

After a short break, various forms of student support available at the University of Split were presented. Antonia Peroš, Head of the Career Management Office, spoke about the office’s activities, while Bruno Barać, PhD, introduced the work of the Student Counselling Centre at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.

The program continued with a lecture delivered by Professor Ana Marušić, PhD, from the University of Split School of Medicine, titled: "Why it is important to publish your research, or how to engage in enlightened routine?"

The first day concluded with informal socializing and a guided city tour led by Marin Sarić, providing participants with an additional opportunity for informal networking.

The second day began with research-oriented presentations. Associate Professor Renata Glavak Tkalić, PhD, from the Ivo Pilar Institute of Social Sciences, gave a lecture titled: "The State of Addiction in the General Population of the Republic of Croatia: A Research Overview." This was followed by a presentation by Professor Irena Burić, PhD, from the Department of Psychology, University of Zadar, who shared findings from two research projects under the title: "Exploring Teachers' Emotional Journeys: Insights from Two Research Projects in Croatia."

Later, Ana Ćosić (Head of the International Relations Office) and Tonka Petričević (Head of the Science and Innovation Department) discussed international opportunities for collaboration with the University of Split, as well as tools available to researchers for academic networking. The day concluded with a panel discussion on the topic: "Psychological Challenges and Support for Students During Their Studies: How Higher Education Institutions Can Enhance Student Mental Health and Success." Moderated by Antonia Peroš, the panel featured active participation from all attendees, who shared experiences and insights on the challenges students face and the ways in which institutions can improve mental health support systems.

The final day of the program was dedicated to individual meetings with researchers from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, arranged according to the specific research interests and goals of the participants. After the working sessions, participants gathered for the final part of the program, which served as another opportunity for informal exchange and networking. The event concluded with a closing session focused on reflection and planning future collaboration. Participants discussed the potential for developing concrete joint research and educational projects, setting the foundation for continued international cooperation in the field of psychology.