Applications are now open for our annual “Lejla Hairlahović-Hušić” Scholarship. On this occasion, we are publishing an interview with our first scholarship recipient, Anida Manko.
Dr. Anida Manko is a senior teaching assistant at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Sarajevo. Her doctoral research focused on the application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in museums. What is UDL, how is it applied in museums, and what did the scholarship mean to Anida? Read below.
WCM: What exactly is “Universal Design”?
Universal design involves designing products, spaces, services, and information in a way that makes them usable by all people. The goal of universal design is to create an environment that is accessible to the greatest number of people without the need for additional adaptations or special solutions. For example, a museum that applies universal design ensures an equal experience for all visitors by creating exhibition spaces where information is available in various formats: written text, audio, Braille, or video materials with subtitles and sign language.
WCM: How did you come up with the idea to focus on this topic in your academic work?
While teaching courses focused on issues of inclusion, I wanted to explore how the principles of inclusion could be applied beyond the educational context into other areas of society. The museum proved to be an inspiring space for this analysis, as it addresses important social issues by connecting knowledge, experience, culture, and heritage. The idea was to create an accessible learning environment within the museum for all students by integrating museum resources into educational content. The goal was to conduct certain lessons in a museum setting while following the primary education curriculum. The research results highlighted a clear need to establish partnerships between museums and schools.
WCM: Why is this topic important?
The research highlighted both the educational and social value of museums, as well as possible ways to ensure that museum resources are accessible to everyone. The aim is to develop museum pedagogy by connecting two important institutions—museums and schools—through practical activities that will help the education system better respond to the needs of all students. The essence of this approach is for museum visits to become an integral part of the school curriculum.
Establishing partnerships between schools and museums creates opportunities for new, richer, and more diverse forms of learning and teaching.
WCM: How did receiving the “Lejla Hairlahović-Hušić” scholarship impact the continuation of your research and your work in general? What was the significance of the scholarship?
The scholarship was significant from a financial perspective, as it made it possible to cover the costs of preparing materials and carrying out activities related to the research. However, its motivational importance was even greater—I experienced it as recognition and support. I see the greatest value of the scholarship precisely in the sense of professional encouragement, especially in the acknowledgment of the importance of the research topic itself and the potential of museum pedagogy.
The interview has been edited and shortened for clarity.
To learn more about the scholarship, visit: https://warchildhood.org/ba/otvoren-konkurs-za-stipendiju-lejla-hairlahovic-husic/.
