FestUM 2026: Quality. Significance. Responsibility.

How do we evaluate scientific research and artistic work?

You are cordially invited to FestUM – the Festival of Science and Arts of the University of Maribor, which we have been creating for you for the fourth consecutive year.

The festival will take place on 10 and 11 June 2026 as a hybrid event (live at the UM Rectorate and online), once again bringing together researchers, higher education teachers, students, professional staff, decision-makers, and the wider public.

FestUM 2026 is dedicated to one of the key questions of the contemporary academic landscape – how to evaluate scientific research and artistic work in a way that takes into account quality, significance, and openness. The festival programme opens up space for discussion on changes in research assessment in the context of open science and addresses the challenges and opportunities brought by reforms at both the European and national levels.

The first festival day will be dedicated to the domestic academic community, student creativity, and strengthening the connection between the university and its environment. Within the framework of the Student Challenges of the University of Maribor (ŠI:UM)  students working in interdisciplinary teams will present innovative solutions to research and socially relevant challenges from the local environment. The best project teams, as selected by an expert jury, will receive symbolic awards.

This will be followed by a round table with representatives of the University of Maribor programme groups, focusing on their purpose and objectives, as well as on advanced research assessment. The central programme of the first day will be complemented by a film prepared by students of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

The second festival day will host the 4th national event of the SPOZNAJ project, co-funded by the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The project supports the adaptation of the Slovenian research environment to the principles of open science. The audience will first be addressed by dr. Tomaž Boh (PhD), Director-General of the Science and Innovation Directorate at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. This will be followed by lectures from international guests, presenting approaches to reforming research assessment and sharing experiences with implementing research evaluation in their institutions.

A round table titled “Qualitative Assessment and Open Science,” featuring representatives of national and international institutions in research, higher education, and scientific research policies. The discussion will address qualitative assessment, open science, institutional changes, and future directions of research evaluation in Slovenia and the broader European context.

• Lindsay Dowling, Open Research Support Unit (ORSU), Technological University Dublin,
• Herman Strøm, NOR-CAM and Norwegian national CoARA coordination,
• Nuria Benitez Monforte, Research Centres of Catalonia network,
• dr. Franci Demšar (PhD), Director of the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education,
• dr. Klemen Miklavič (PhD), Assistant Director of the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency,
• prof. dr. Dean Korošak (PhD) (Vice-Rector for Science and Research at UM and Representative of the Rectors’ Conference of the Republic of Slovenia),
• dr. Andrej Pančur (PhD), President of the Coordination of Independent Non-Profit Research and Infrastructure Institutes.

The round table will be moderated by Maja Peharc, SPOZNAJ project officer, Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation.

A panel discussion of representatives of national agencies and the higher education and research sector, titled “Plans for the Future of Qualitative Assessment in Slovenia.” You are invited to join a shared reflection on the key questions of the future development of evaluation.

• dr. Franci Demšar (PhD), Director of the Slovenian Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education,
• Prof. dr. Gregor Majdič (PhD), Rector of the University of Ljubljana,
• Tjaša Dobnik, Director of the Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency,
• Assist. Prof. dr. Anže Županič (PhD), Director of the National Institute of Biology.

The panel discussion will be moderated by Prof. dr. Dean Korošak (PhD), Vice-Rector for Science and Research at UM.

A diverse accompanying programme will take place on both festival days. Visitors will be able to view an exhibition UMetnost: Connected in Creativity of the Faculty of Education, University of Maribor in the Rectorate atrium as well as the SPOZNAJ project exhibition, which presents open science in Slovenia in an accessible way to the general public. The SPOZNAJ project exhibition will be on display from 3 to 15 June at the UM Rectorate. Each day will begin with morning yoga, followed by afternoon socialising accompanied by artistic content.

You are kindly invited to reserve 10 and 11 June 2026 for FestUM 2026. You can attend the event in person at the University of Maribor Rectorate (Slomškov trg 15, Maribor) or remotely via the YouTube channel. Registration is mandatory for all participants.

Upon registration, those attending in person will receive a special festival package, prepared exclusively for FestUM 2026 visitors.

We look forward to seeing you!