Workshops and Special Sessions
PhD Day Workshop
From Interviews to Insights: A Hands-On Workshop in Qualitative Research and AI-Assisted Analysis
Facilitator: Katarina Košmrlj Muha, Head of Research at the Institute for media and market research Mediana, Slovenia
Wednesday, 3 June 2026, 12.-14. (Part I), 15.-17. (Part II) | INNOLAB
This interactive doctoral workshop is designed to provide participants with applied competencies in qualitative research. The workshop aims to equip participants with practical, transferable skills for conducting qualitative research, fostering methodological confidence through active learning rather than theoretical instruction.The workshop is oriented to the practical aspects of conducting qualitative research, enabling participants to develop and refine their skills through guided exercises and collaborative tasks. Participants will engage in the design of a qualitative study, focusing on formulating research questions, selecting appropriate sampling strategies, and constructing interview guides. They will take part in simulated interview situations, with particular attention to moderating techniques, probing strategies, and managing interaction dynamics. The role of the researcher in shaping the data collection process will be reflecten upon. Subsequently, the workshop will address the organisation and preparation of qualitative data. Participants will be introduced to core principles of qualitative data analysis and interpretation, with hands-on exercises involving coding, categorisation, and theme development. We will also examine the emerging role of AI tools and their application in qualitative research, alongside a critical discussion of their limitations and ethical considerations. Through active cooperation, attendees will acquire and strengthen their skills in the design and conduct of interviews, as well as in qualitative data analysis.
Katarina Košmrlj Muha is Head of Research at the Institute for media and market research Mediana, Slovenia, where she leads research projects from initial problem definition through design, analysis, and client advisory. Trained in Statistics, she specialises in survey methodology but consistently applies a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative techniques to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of research questions. Prior to joining the industry, she worked as a researcher and lecturer at University of Primorska, Faculty of Management and Sigmund Freud University Ljubljana. She has co-designed and conducted several hundred interviews and focus groups across both academic and applied research. While statistics is her profession, she considers qualitative research her long-standing professional passion.
Special Session: Knowledge valorisation
Session Chair: Dr Simona Kustec
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 9-10.15 | INNOLAB
The Knowledge Valorisation Sessiion, dedicated to discussing self-evaluation of TTOs structures and processes in fostering collaboration between universities, researchers, businesses, and policymakers.
The main topics of the session include recommendations and indicators for self-monitoring and further self-evaluation (the so-called valorisation metrics) of research organisations in their activities to support the development and strengthening of knowledge transfer into practice.
The session is covered under the framework of ISERO - Indicators for self-evaluation of research organisations in the field of knowledge transfer (project website: https://www.fm-kp.si/en/fm_research/isero_indicators_for_self_evaluation_of_research_organisations_in_the_field_of_knowledge_transfer).
ISERO
Special Session: Social innovation - Communication of Science through Art
Session Chair: Dr Jana Hojnik
Thursday, 4 June 2026, 10.15-11.30 | INNOLAB
The social innovation session is dedicated to discussing various types, practices and characteristics of social innovation for maximizing the impact of scientific knowledge transfer, fostering collaboration between researchers, businesses, policymakers, broader public and relevant networks. This year we will host three great actors of science communication through art. Through their presentation of projects we will be able to see how science can be translated into art to provide greater impact. We will host three non-profit and non-governmental cultural organisations, as follows: Association for Culture and Education PiNA (PiNA - Association for Culture and Education), Kersnikova Institute (Kersnikova) and the Multimedia Center MMC KIBLA (KIBLA: MMC Kibla).
The main topics of the session include vivid presentation of projects that aimed and managed to successfully communicate science through art.
The UNIK@TT Project is a strategic initiative led by Slovenia’s three leading public universities - University of Ljubljana (consortium leader), University of Maribor, and University of Primorska - to enhance the transfer of scientific knowledge and innovation from academia to the economy and society. This initiative is complemented by the KTO3 consortium, coordinated by the Jožef Stefan Institute, which unites public research organizations to strengthen knowledge transfer mechanisms.
The session is covered under the framework of UNIK@TT (project website: https://crpz.upr.si/projekti/).
