DATE: March – November 2014

Now in its sixth year, the Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia’s Professional Development Program is pleased to announce that it has expanded to invite eight short-term visiting scholars from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, and Ukraine to the University of Michigan in 2014. Weiser Professional Development Fellows are selected through a competitive review process, and the 2014 cohort will work on projects with U-M faculty in the fields of business, architecture, political science, psychology, law, comparative literature, and engineering. Since the program began in 2009, 33 fellows have visited Ann Arbor to collaborate with U-M faculty on research. The Weiser Professional Development Program is one of many initiatives at WCEE, which is dedicated to enhancing interdisciplinary knowledge about, and public engagement with, the institutions, cultures, and histories of Europe and Eurasia. For more information about all of our programs, as well as application information for the 2015 competition, please visit ii.umich.edu/wcee.

Eight fellows from six countries will visit U-M this year:

Aurelia Braguta, associate professor of business administration at the State University of Moldova and Academy of Economic Studies in Moldova, will work on a project exploring the impact of social entrepreneurship on community development. Her host advisor is George Siedel, Williamson Family Professor of Business Administration and Thurnau Professor of Business Law.

Marta Brkovic, teaching and research associate in architecture at Union University Nikola Tesla in Serbia, will complete research on a project entitled, “Research and Design Methods in Architecture Schools,” in cooperation with her host advisor, Linda Groat, professor of architecture and women’s studies.

Miso Dokmanovic, assistant professor of law at Cyril & Methodius University in Macedonia, will work on a project entitled, “U.S. Foreign Policy Decision Making Process and the Balkans,” in collaboration with his U-M host advisor, Willam Clark, professor of political science and director of the Program in International and Comparative Studies.

Maia Mestvirishvili, associate professor of psychology at Tbilisi State University in Georgia, will explore the topic, “Antecedents and Consequences of Rejection Sensitivity in Youth.” Her U-M host advisor is Ethan Kross, associate professor in psychology and director of the U-M Emotion and Self-Control Laboratory.

Marija Milenkovska, assistant professor of international law at St. Kliment Ohridski University in Macedonia, will work on a project entitled, “War Crimes Prosecution in the Republic of Macedonia.” Her host advisor is Steven Ratner, Bruno Simma Collegiate Professor of Law.

Selma Raljevic, assistant professor in literature at Dzemal Bijedic University in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will collaborate with her host advisor, Tatjana Aleksic, associate professor of comparative literature and Slavic languages and literatures, on an exploration of American teaching procedures, educational methods, and methodology.

Eugeniy Trushliakov, professor and vice-rector at Admiral Makarov National University of Shipbuilding in Ukraine, will work on a plan for “The Experimental Research of VIVACE Converter Model.” His U-M host advisor is Michael Bernitsas, professor of mechanical engineering and Mortimer E. Cooley Collegiate Professor of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering.

Archil Zhorzholiani, lecturer in social and political science at Tbilisi State University and program advisor in international development and management at the German International Development Cooperation in Georgia, will collaborate with his U-M advisor, John Jackson, M. Kent Jennings Collegiate Professor in Political Science, on the project, “Optimal Administrative-Territorial Structure for Encouraging Public Participation in Georgia.”

Visiting Fellows