Pristupačnost
The Department of Sociology was established in 1992 and is one of the core disciplines of the Faculty of Croatian Studies. The concept of sociology studies focuses on the application of sociological theories and social science methodology for understanding social processes and phenomena in the specific context of Croatian society and comparatively in a European and global perspective. The study of sociology aims to train highly qualified sociological research personnel with professional research and analytical skills necessary for productive work in the public and private sectors. The sociology program at the bachelor's and master's levels is organized according to current international scientific standards.
At the Faculty of Croatian Studies, University of Zagreb, a guest lecture by Prof. Christian Morgner, Professor of Digital Culture and Social Innovation at the University of Portsmouth, will take place on Tuesday, 5 May.
The lecture, entitled “Generative AI as a Question Laboratory: From Answers to Questions”, will be held for sociology students starting at 2:20 PM in the Zagreb Hall.
In his presentation, Dr Morgner challenges the conventional understanding of artificial intelligence as a technology primarily designed to generate answers, opening up a new perspective on generative AI as a “question laboratory” – a space in which the assumptions, contingencies, and political dimensions of the questions we ask can be explored. The lecture will offer a critical perspective on the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence in contemporary society, science, and communication, directly connecting to the thematic framework of the DIGI-HR project.
Dr Morgner’s research operates at the intersection of complexity studies, network analysis, and creative practices, with a particular focus on diversity, inclusivity, and innovation in global cultural processes. His work is especially concerned with major conceptual questions and methodological innovations in the study of culture and social change.
Particularly notable is his engagement in projects aimed at improving the quality of life of people living with dementia. These include the Tasty Spoon project, funded through the Alzheimer's Society Accelerator Programme, as well as his participation in the BRIDGES for Dementia Network Plus initiative, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). Within this project, he leads a work package dedicated to connecting arts, sports, and culture with advanced technologies, with the aim of developing innovative solutions that enable people living with dementia to live more independently and with a better quality of life.
Dr Morgner’s visit is organised as part of the institutional research project DIGI-HR, conducted at the Faculty of Croatian Studies. The project explores how conditions of digital inclusion and exclusion are shaped in contemporary Croatian society, with a particular focus on understanding the digital divide, social inequalities in access to digital communication, and opportunities for reducing these inequalities through lifelong learning.
We invite all interested students, teachers, and researchers to attend this lecture and take part in the discussion on the social, cultural, and political implications of generative artificial intelligence in the context of digital inclusion and contemporary social change.