At the solemn ceremony, which traditionally takes place during UP Week, on Monday, March 16, 2026, the Vice-Rector for Scientific Research and Development, prof. dr. Štefko Miklavič, promoted fourteen new UP Doctors of Science. As of today, the University of Primorska has 395 Doctors of Science.

Dr. Barbara Švagan, dr. Branka Bizjak Zabukovec, dr. Marko Grgurovič, dr. Andreja Kociper, dr. Rok Gomezelj, dr. Primož Režko, dr. Nika Ferbežar, dr. Lea Primožič, dr. Ajda Cenčič, dr. Aljaž Kosmač, dr. Lei Han, dr. Mateja Erce Paoli and dr. Marko Petrović were graduated at the ceremony.

In (excused) absence: Dr. Jordan Aika Deja

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Barbara Švagan defended her doctoral dissertation at the UP FM entitled »The job quality of on location platform work: The case of Slovenian platform delivery workers« under the mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Suzana Laporšek.

Doctoral dissertation summary

The doctoral dissertation addresses the issue of job quality among workers working through food delivery platforms. The study conducted within the dissertation focuses on individuals’ motivations for entering platform work, the demographic characteristics of workers and their influence on the assessment of job quality, as well as the role of algorithmic management in shaping these evaluations. The findings indicate that platform workers face several structural challenges, but that their experiences differ significantly depending on their demographic characteristics, life circumstances, and level of financial dependence on this type of work.

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Branka Bizjak Zabukovec, who defended her doctoral dissertation at the UP FM entitled  »Relationships between followers and influencers on Instagram in influencer marketing« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Armand Faganel.

Doctoral dissertation summary

Research examines the relationship between influencers and followers on social media, developing a new theory of the Insta relationship and a measurement instrument for its assessment. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, interviews with influencers, focus groups with followers, and Instagram posts were analysed. The results show that the relationship is shaped by five dimensions: mutual benefits, authenticity, follower perceptions, interaction, and the role of the platform. Based on this theory, a measurement scale was developed and empirically tested, enabling reliable and valid measurement of the Insta relationship and contributing to the advancement of influencer marketing research.

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Marko Grgurovič defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP FAMNIT entitled »Optimization and graphs: efficiency of some algorithms in theory and practice« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Andrej Brodnik and co-mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Rok Požar.

Doctoral dissertation summary

The dissertation presents new efficient algorithms for finding shortest paths between all pairs of vertices in a graph. It introduces a method that builds on single-source algorithms and another based on a dynamic programming approach, achieving better average-case performance for large graphs in practice than prior work. The dissertation also studies the parallel ant system algorithm when used to solve the traveling salesman problem. It includes theoretical analysis and empirical experiments that confirm the improvements in both theory and in practice.

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Andrej Kociper defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP PEF entitled »Self-assessment of social competencies of adolescents with intellectual disabilities in a dormitory environment« under the mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Janez Drobnič.

Doctoral dissertation summary

The doctoral dissertation examines the self-perception of social competences among adolescents with intellectual disabilities in a dormitory educational environment. Using a qualitative study grounded in analytic induction, it comparatively analyzes the perspectives of adolescents and professional staff and interpretatively highlights differences in their understanding of social experiences as well as contextual factors related to social learning. Based on these findings, it develops a theoretically grounded and inclusive educational model aimed at strengthening social competences.

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Jordan Aiko Deja defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP FAMNIT entitled »Designing Augmented Reality Training Systems for Piano and Jazz Improvisation« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Matjaž Kljun and co-mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Klen Čopič Pucihar.

Doctoral dissertation summary

This doctoral dissertation explores how augmented reality (AR) can holistically support the teaching and learning of piano improvisation, an underrepresented yet essential skill in piano pedagogy. Through interviews with educators, a survey of augmented piano technologies, and iterative co-design with improvisation experts, a novel AR-based training system was developed. The research culminated in a controlled experimental study evaluating its pedagogical impact, offering evidence-based insights into integrating AR to enhance creativity, confidence, and improvisational competence in piano education.

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Rok Gomezelj defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP FM entitled »A model of environmentally responsible behaviour in counselling on unused medicines« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Mirko Markič and co-mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Melita Peršolja.

Doctoral dissertation summary

Drug residues in the environment pose significant risks. The purpose of the doctoral dissertation was to conduct a review of scientific and professional literature, to develop a behavioural model for counselling on unused medicines, and to empirically test its relevance. Primary data were collected from a sample of pharmacists using a self-designed questionnaire. The study confirms the interdependence of the examined factors, with behavioural intention showing the strongest influence, mostly determined by attitudes toward the behaviour and personal responsibility. The research findings provide theoretical, scientific, and practical contributions for the development of policies and strategies regarding the management of unused medicines.

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Primož Režek defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP FVZ entitled »The future of digital technologies in education and workflows for healthcare in dealing with mass casualty incidents« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Boštjan Žvanut.

Doctoral dissertation summary

The doctoral dissertation evaluated the impact of digital technologies on more efficient crisis management of mass casualty incidents compared to traditional paper-based documentation and decision-making methods, aiming to reduce casualties. Through a systematic literature review and a three-round Delphi study, international experts reached a consensus on the key aspects of digital solutions, which were then strategically classified using SWOT analysis. As the first study of its kind conducted within EU Member States, it identified a gap between technological maturity and organizational barriers and developed strategic recommendations for the systematic integration of digital technologies into practice and education.

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Nika Ferbežar defended her doctoral dissertation at the UP PEF entitled »The Families of Choice at the Intersection of Education and Everyday Life of Young LGBT+ People« under the mentorship of doc. dr. Rok  Smrdelj and co-mentorship of prof. dr. Tina Štemberger.

Doctoral dissertation summary

The doctoral dissertation is the first empirical study in Slovenia and internationally examining support for LGBT+ young people through families of choice and the first conceptualisation of families of choice in social pedagogy. In Slovenia, it provides the first comprehensive theoretical and empirical analysis of families of choice. It includes a systematic literature review and two qualitative studies with LGBT+ individuals and professionals. Findings highlight the strong protective role of families of choice, their integration potential in social pedagogical support, and barriers linked to a cis-heteronormative social context.

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Lea Primožič defended her doctoral dissertation at the UP FAMNIT entitled »Sustainability-focused communication about the built environment: improving practices and impacts« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Andreja Kutnar and co-mentorship of doc. dr. Rok Prislan.

Doctoral dissertation summary

This doctoral dissertation examined strategic ways of communicating new concepts of sustainable construction to targeted stakeholders in order to foster its wider use. The effectiveness of this approach was tested on the new sustainable construction concept Restorative environmental and ergonomic design (REED). The dissertation combines five studies that together contribute to a deeper understanding of appropriate communication approaches for improving sustainability across sectors and support targeted communication for professional stakeholders in the wood industry. 

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Ajda Cenčič defended her doctoral dissertation at the UP FVZ  entitled »Effects of online diabetes self-management education for people with type 2 diabetes« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Boštjan Žvanut.

Doctoral dissertation summary

With the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes, accessible and personalized education is becoming essential for its successful management. The aim of the study was to examine the feasibility and effectiveness of online-based education for adults with type 2 diabetes. The results showed an improvement in knowledge levels, a reduction in body mass index, and a positive participant response. However, challenges remain that call for further improvements, such as lack of personal interaction and technical barriers. Online education was successfully implemented in clinical practice and has the potential for wider application.

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Aljaž Kosmač defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP FAMNIT entitled »On smooth spline spaces and isogeometric methods for solving high-order partial differential equations over multi-patch domains« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Vito Vitrih.

Doctoral dissertation summary

The dissertation belongs to the field of isogeometric analysis, which intertwines the areas of numerical mathematics and computer-aided geometric design, and thus represents a modern approach to numerically solving partial differential equations. The dissertation presents several new methods for the construction of approximation spaces of splines over multi-patch domains and their use within the framework of collocation and Galerkin methods, thereby importantly upgrading existing approaches. The results of the dissertation are published in four articles in prestigious journals in the first quartile of SCI journals.

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Lei Han defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP FAMNIT entitled »Viscoelastic properties of thermo-hydro-mechanically (THM) densfied wood« under the mentorship of prof. dr. Andreja Kutnar and co-mentorship of prof. dr. Dick Sandberg.

Doctoral dissertation summary 

Dissertation examines viscoelasticity and fire-relevant loading of THM densified wood. Beech and Scots pine are benchmarked against untreated, resin-impregnated and thermally modified wood. Tests: bending 25–175 °C, 14-day bending creep at RH, and short-term creep at 170 °C. THM densification increases MOE/MOR and reduces creep, but response is moisture-dependent, suggesting Eurocode 5 safety factor needs material-specific values. It also develops a moisture-activated self-tightening densified-wood dowel (set-recovery) for high-tolerance joints in DLT.

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Mateja Erce Paoli defended her doctoral dissertation at the UP FAMNIT entitled »Addressing psychosocial needs with building design to encourage healthy and active ageing« under the mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Michael David Burnard.

Doctoral dissertation summar

The work examines how older adults’ psychosocial wellbeing is linked to the built environment. A literature review identified reliable tools for measuring wellbeing and environmental perceptions, but found that objective assessments often overlook indoor spaces and are rarely combined with residents’ perceptions. A study of retirement homes on the Slovenian coast showed that residents’ wellbeing shapes how they view their surroundings and that specific environmental domains influence wellbeing. Overall, the findings suggest that targeted improvements to the environment can support wellbeing and inform better retirement home design.

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Marko Petrović defended his doctoral dissertation at the UP FVZ  entitled  »Development of an interprofessional collaboration model between doctors, pharmacists, and nurses to improve pharmaceutical care in Slovenia« under the mentorship of izr. prof. dr. Mirko Prosen.

Doctoral dissertation summar

Doctoral dissertation examines interprofessional collaboration among physicians, pharmacists, and nurses in pharmaceutical care in Slovenia. Using a mixed-methods approach, key determinants of collaboration were identified, and the measurement instrument “Attitudes and Beliefs about Interprofessional Collaboration in Pharmaceutical Care Scale (MSFS)” and the SOFAR-SI model were developed and validated. The findings highlight the importance of clear communication, awareness of professional competencies, organizational support, and patient involvement for improving medication safety and quality of use.

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