From Class to Identity. The Politics of Education Reforms in Former Yugoslavia

The Higher Education Research Group (HERG)

and CEU Press

cordially invite you to the book lecture

From Class to Identity 
The Politics of Education Reforms in Former Yugoslavia

by Jana Bacevic 

Moderator: Marvin Lazerson

Reception to follow

"The best book I have read on the interactive relationships between contexts— economic, political, social—and educational policy…"  Marvin Lazerson, Professor Emeritus, University of Pennsylvania and Professor, CEU

Jana Bacevic provides an innovative analysis of education policy-making in the processes of social transformation and post-conflict development in the Western Balkans. Based on case studies of educational reform in the former Yugoslavia - from the decade before its violent breakup to contemporary efforts in post-conflict reconstruction - From Class to Identity tells the story of the political processes and motivations underlying each reform.

The book moves away from technical-rational or prescriptive approaches that dominate the literature on education policy-making during social transformation, and offers an example on how to include the social, political and cultural context in the understanding of policy reforms. It connects education policy at a particular time in a particular place with broader questions such as: What is the role of education in society? What kind of education is needed for a ‘good’ society? Who are the ‘targets’ of education policies (individuals/citizens, ethnic/religious/linguistic groups, societies)? Bacevic shows how different answers to these questions influence the contents and outcomes of policies.

Jana Bacevic is a Marie Curie post-doctoral researcher at the Department of Education, Aarhus University in Copenhagen, Denmark, where she works on the EU FP7 project "Universities in Knowledge Economies" (UNIKE). Previously she was visiting professor at the Central European University in Budapest as well as Visegrad Fellow at the Open Society Archives. She has worked as researcher and advisor for a number of international and local governments and organizations on projects dealing with education, post-conflict development and minorities. Her current research deals with academic engagement and the relationships between universities and societies.