Marko Senčar Mrdaković (1994) is a researcher at the Anton Melik Geographical Institute ZRC SAZU. He obtained his BA degrees in Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology and in German Studies from the Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana (2018), where he completed his MA degrees in both fields three years later (2021). Since 2021, he has been pursuing his PhD in the programme Comparative studies of Ideas and Cultures (Human Geography module) at the Postgraduate School ZRC SAZU.
In his research, he primarily employs an ethnographic approach, focusing on urban environments, particularly Mediterranean and industrial towns. His work centres on the study of public space, conflicts and social inequalities, social innovation, and (industrial) heritage.
Marko Senčar Mrdaković conducts research primarily in urban environments at the intersection of human geography, the ethnography of public space, and heritage studies. In his work, he employs interdisciplinary approaches, with a particular emphasis on ethnography. He focuses on the study of local contexts and situated processes and forms of knowledge, striving to incorporate diverse perspectives.
In his doctoral dissertation, using the case of the historic urban landscape of Koper, he examines how social innovations address conflicts and how power relations and institutional constraints are reflected in these processes. Among the more significant impacts are concrete proposals for the redevelopment of the small Giardinetto square, developed during an international anthropological workshop (2022) in cooperation with the Faculty of Humanities of the University of Primorska, ZRC SAZU, the Institute of Ethnology and Folklore Research in Zagreb, and leading anthropologist of space Prof. Dr. Setha Low (CUNY).
His notable achievements are also reflected in projects focused on various target groups in industrial towns (YOUIND, WIN), including a catalogue of good practices for youth inclusion and the WIN project, which was recognised as a “Flagship Project of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR)” and contributes to improving the position of women.
His future research aims include an in-depth study of socio-economic development and everyday life in industrial and Mediterranean towns.
Education:
- B.Sc. in Ethnology and cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2018.
- B.Sc. in German studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2018.
- Master studies of Ethnology and cultural anthropology, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2021.
- Master studies of German studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2021.
- Ph.D. student of Comparative study of ideas and cultures (Human geography) at the Postgraduate School ZRC SAZU, Slovenia.
- Senčar Mrdaković, M. (2025). Teatro Povero di Monticchiello: Community-based Social Innovation and Intangible Heritage in Rural Tuscany. Traditiones, 54(1), 107–134.
- Harfst J., Kern C., Kozina J., Sandrierster J., Senčar Mrdaković M., Tiran J. 2022: Einbindung junger Menschen in Industriestädten : good practice Katalog. Edirors Jani Kozina and Jörn Harfst. Ljubljana: Založba ZRC, ZRC SAZU.
- Senčar Mrdaković, M. 2022: Political Ecology of Ski Tourism in the Pitztal Valley: Merger of the Pitztal with the Ötztal Glacier. Glasnik Slovenskega etnološkega društva, 62(1), 33-44.
- Bole, D.; Senčar Mrdaković, M.; Tiran J. 2023: From a mining town to a town of industrial multinationals : explaining transformation through human agency and mining assets. The Extractive industries and society, 14, 101243.
- BLUE - Restoring urban blue spaces through nature-based solutions and social interventions to improve human well being and environment (fundamental research project • January 1, 2025 - December 31, 2027)
- Improving the position of Women in the labour markets of peripheral INdustrial regions (applied research project • January 1, 2024 - June 30, 2026)
- M.C.RUK: Network of research arts and culture centres (marketing project • January 30, 2020 - June 15, 2023)
- Trans-making – Art / culture / economy to democratize society. Research in placemaking for alternative narratives (international research project • January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2020)
- Geography of Slovenia - national research programme (research programme • January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2020)
- Places that don’t matter? Socio-economic transformation of industrial towns in Switzerland and Slovenia (fundamental research project • November 1, 2020 - October 31, 2024)
- Youth in Industrial Regions – Strengthening institutional capacities to cope with the outmigration of young people from industrial towns (INTERREG • April 1, 2020 - March 31, 2022)
- (Hidden) Industrial Champions: Origins, Features and Futures of Industrial Small Towns (international research project • February 1, 2025 - January 31, 2028)
- Heritage on the margins: new perspectives on heritage and identity within and beyond national (research programme • January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2027)
- Dr Bojan Erhartić ZRC SAZU Scholarship for Scientific Research, 2023
- Researcher on the WIN project, selected as a “Flagship Project of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR)” (international recognition), 2025.
- Member of Ljubljana Geographical Society's Executive Committee and Excursion's commisioner (2021-…).
- Member of the organising committee of the 16th Biennial Symposium Geographic Information Systems in Slovenia: Present and Future, Ljubljana, 2022.
- Member of the organising committee of the 10th Symposium of ZRC SAZU researchers at the beginning of their scientific career, Ljubljana, 2022.
- Member of the Organising Committee of the Symposium Slovenian Regional Days (2024–…).