Tijana Rupčić wird für ihre Dissertationsschrift „Powering Connections. Electric Infrastructure in Socialist Yugoslavia 1945-1991“, abgeschlossen an der Central European University, ausgezeichnet.
This dissertation examines the political and ideological roles of electric infrastructure in socialist Yugoslavia between 1945 and 1991. It argues that electric networks were not merely technical systems of modernization, but strategic instruments used to strengthen state authority, shape regional influence, and position Yugoslavia between the Eastern and Western blocs during the Cold War. Drawing on extensive archival research and multiple case studies—including postwar electrification, transnational energy projects, and large-scale hydroelectric developments—the study demonstrates how infrastructure supported Yugoslavia’s geopolitical ambitions and participation in international cooperation, particularly within the Non-Aligned Movement. At the same time, it reveals how infrastructure development intensified internal economic inequalities and political tensions within the federation. By highlighting the role of technocratic actors and introducing the concept of “Yugoslav technomanagers,” the dissertation contributes to broader debates on the relationship between technology and politics, showing how infrastructure can both consolidate and destabilize political power.
Dr. Tijana Rupčić is a Ragnar Holm Fellow at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Her research lies at the intersection of the history of science and technology, infrastructure studies, and media analysis, with a particular focus on the development of electric networks in Yugoslavia and the Balkans. She combines archival research with interdisciplinary approaches to examine how large-scale technical systems shape social, environmental, and cultural transformations.
In parallel, her work engages with digital culture and video games, exploring themes of techno-religion, cyberspirituality, and dystopian imaginaries, especially in relation to environmental crises and mass extinction. Her publications analyse narrative, ethics, and speculative futures in contemporary media, contributing to broader discussions in science and technology studies, environmental humanities, and game studies.
