Institute for Literary Research in Turmoil: Director Appointed Amidst Employee Opposition

Tensions are high at the Institute for Literary and Artistic Research following the official appointment of its acting director, a decision met with strong opposition from employees. The institute's union argues that the appointment disregarded established practices, which typically involve consulting the Scientific Council. Jelena Milinković, a senior research associate, stated that the new director's tenure has been marked by a lack of dialogue and alleged threats of dismissal.

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The previous practice was that the Management Board, not only here but in other institutes functioning similarly, would listen to the opinion of the Scientific Council. This time, a kind of precedent was set.

Milinković detailed instances where the director allegedly questioned the union's right to strike and threatened employees participating in a warning strike. Bojan Jović, a former director and member of the Management Board, echoed concerns about the director's "aggressive tone" and evasiveness in answering questions, describing her communication as "unpleasant" and bordering on abuse.

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The Management Board and its president allow for the director's rather aggressive tone to be tolerated, not answering specific questions, which recently reached the point of being very unpleasant and almost aggressive, bordering on abuse.

Conversely, Dragiša Bojović, president of the Management Board, defended the director's appointment, asserting she is "fit for science, law, and returning the institute to regular financial flows." He dismissed the accusations as an "organized, orchestrated campaign" aimed at discrediting him and his support for the establishment of the Faculty of Serbian Studies. Milinković, however, expressed deep concern, linking Bojović's past involvement with the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš to potential future issues at the institute.

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I think the institute has finally gotten a director fit for science, law, and returning the institute to regular financial flows.

Despite the researchers' appeals to the relevant Ministry of Science, no response has been received. The researchers vow to continue their fight for professional standards and employee rights, while the Management Board president accuses them of engaging in "politicking."

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This is all part of an organized, orchestrated campaign that has been going on for almost a year, aimed at discrediting not only me as the president of the Management Board but also me as someone who supported the establishment of the Faculty of Serbian Studies.