In collaboration with the Center for Advanced Studies Southeast Europe (CAS SEE) at the University of Rijeka, her research project, “Return Migration and Democracy in Croatia: The Potential of Social Remittances” will explore how return migrants, individuals voluntarily returning to the country of origin after living, studying, and working abroad participate in numerous ways in economic life, educational system, and cultural events of Croatia. The project will provide preliminary findings on ideas and strategies of return migrants who participate in social reforms in Croatia as well as preferences and challenges of returnees who participated in knowledge gaining and sharing and worked closely with other countries. Findings will be relevant to other Eastern and Southeastern European countries that experience unusually large and persistent emigration, dominated by educated and young people. This award will also be a unique opportunity to initiate and establish future partnership and connections between the preeminent academic institutions in Croatia and the United States.

Dragana Mrvoš is a University of Tampa Lecturer and SIGS Alumni. She has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award in political science and government to Croatia for the 2024-2025 academic year from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.