CRP Project – Transatlantic Cooperation and the Diaspora as a Soft Power
BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE RESEARCH PROJECT
Code: V7-2118
Head of the project:
35422 – dr. Marinka Žitnik
Researchers on the project:
36485 – dr. Dejan Valentinčič (Institut ASEF for education and research)
54486 – Barbara Zagorc (Institut ASEF for education and research)
35652 – dr. Gorazd Justinek (New University, Faculty of Government and European Studies)
Funding period: from October 10, 2021 to September 9, 2023.
Main research organization: 3745 – Institut ASEF for education and research
Research organization – co-implementers: 8554 – New University, Faculty of Government and European Studies
Tender: Public tender for the selection of research projects of the Target Research Program “CRP 2021” in 2021
Co-funders:
Public Research Agency of the Republic of Slovenia, Bleiweisova cesta 30, 1000 Ljubljana
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prešernova cesta 25, 1000 Ljubljana
DESCRIPTION AND PROCESS OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT
Content description of the project:
The purpose of the project is to explore the role and importance of the Slovenian diaspora in the United States and Canada as a source of Slovenian soft power. The research aims to shed light on the development, scope, and potential of Slovenian intellectuals, cultural figures, and businessmen living in North America, especially individuals who emigrated after 1991. In this way, the research will contribute to a new perspective of transatlantic cooperation and analyze the interest, opportunities, and impact of Slovenian diaspora to promote Slovenia, representation of its interests, and its greater internationalization and global recognition. The Slovenian case contains many specifics due to various reasons (among them are many migration regimes), and the number opens up original research questions.
Keywords: State, Nation, Diaspora, Social Capital, Cultural Capital, Soft Power, University, International Relations, Economic Diplomacy, Scientific Diplomacy, Digitization
Project phases and description of their realization
The first phase of the research will take place from the 1st to the 4th month of the project implementation. We will search, collect and compare currently available statistical data of Slovenia on Slovenian intellectuals, cultural figures and businessmen in the USA and Canada with a special focus on modern migrants (emigrants after 1991). This part will be our basis for entering the second and third phases, with which we will fill the current gap in data and insight into the current situation. The RO ASEF Institute will take over the analysis of data on intellectuals and cultural figures, the RO Nova University, and the Faculty of National and European Studies will take over the analysis of data on businessmen.
Empirical quantitative research, phase two of the project, will be conducted from the 5th to the 10th month; finding contacts and preparing a database of organizations and institutions that will share the survey among individuals, planning and improving the survey, pilot test of the survey, distribution of the survey and obtaining answers, creating and refining the database of answers from the survey, analysis and interpretation of data. The RO ASEF Institute will take over the analysis of the answers given by intellectuals and cultural figures, the RO Nova University, and the Faculty of National and European Studies will take over the analysis of the answers given by businessmen.
Qualitative research, phase three of the project, will take place from the 11th to the 16th month; finding the most suitable representatives to participate in each of the three focus groups (ie Slovenian intellectuals, businessmen, cultural figures in the USA and Canada), preparing a database of the most suitable candidates, planning key sets of focus group interviews, conducting focus group interviews, transcribing interviews , analysis and interpretation of obtained answers. The RO ASEF Institute will take over the focus group of intellectuals and cultural figures, the RO Nova University, and the Faculty of National and European Studies will take over the focus group of businessmen.
Between the 5th and 16th month, the fourth phase of the project will take place, in which examples of good practice from other countries will be analyzed and compared with the practices of the Republic of Slovenia. Possibilities for the possible introduction of similar practices of cooperation between Slovenian intellectuals, businessmen and cultural figures living in the USA and Canada and the Republic of Slovenia will be sought and indicated. The RO ASEF Institute will take over the analysis of examples of good practice of other countries of cooperation with intellectuals and cultural figures abroad, while RO Nova University, Faculty of State and European Studies will take over the analysis of examples of good practice of other countries of cooperation with businessmen abroad.
From the 17th to the 20th month, the first part of the fifth phase will take place, during which we will perform a synthesis of the findings of the previous phases and consolidate them into concluding conclusions. Both ROs will actively participate in this work with their contributions based on previously acquired.
Between the 21st and 24th month, we will dedicate time to preparing the proceedings, presenting project conclusions at the closing conference and other events, preparing and publishing scientific articles and other publications and infographics to inform the general public (which is the second part of the fifth phase).
RESULTS OF THE RESEARCH PROJECT
Bibliographic references:
Will be added.
