Profound interest for research

‘Almost since the very beginning of my legal education, I was involved in research. While I was studying at the University of Zagreb, I was a student assistant at the departments of Legal Theory and Family Law. I also participated in the European Moot Court Competition, one of the most important international competitions in EU law. And while I was studying at the University of Amsterdam, I participated in the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, which is the largest moot court competition in the world.’

‘Additionally, I worked as a research assistant for the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, on a project concerning e-commerce. Besides deepening my knowledge of national, European and international law, these experiences enabled me to develop a profound interest for research. I love research because it allows me to explore the past and the present of law and, most importantly, try to envisage its better future. For these reasons, becoming a PhD researcher seemed the most logical and natural choice.’

Background

‘I followed and completed two Master’s programmes – Master Juris at the University of Zagreb and the LL.M. in International and European Law at the University of Amsterdam. I enjoyed studying at two different universities because I had the opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of both national and international law as well as work in different languages.’

Proposal and approval

‘I’ve applied for a PhD position on dr. Joasia Luzak’s project dealing with the intricacies of transparency of online contracts, titled “The ABC of Online Disclosure Duties: Towards a More Uniform Assessment of the Transparency of Consumer Information in Europe”. My proposal initially focused on the role of consumer images and consumer vulnerability in the assessment of transparency of consumer information. However, while writing my research plan (OBP), I decided to focus more on the conceptual analysis of the notion of information transparency in European consumer law. The approval procedure essentially allowed me to present and explore two research ideas. Although I presented one idea when applying for the position, after I started working and was given an additional three months to work on my research proposal, I moulded my initial idea to better suit the project and the timeframe I was given.’

An average day

‘My daily routine is comprised of reading and writing and enriched by meetings of the Private Law Department, meetings with my supervisors, dr. Joasia Luzak and prof. dr. Marco Loos, meetings of my research centre, the Centre for the Study of European Contract Law, and meetings of our faculty-wide research programme Law and Justice Across Borders. Besides working on my thesis and participating in the work of our department and research centres, I spend as much time possible on national and international conferences and trainings in my field of work.’

Mix of everything

‘I love that the PhD research is a mix of everything I am most passionate about – reading, exploring, critical thinking, creativity, public speaking and teaching. Working as a PhD researcher has already enabled me to travel to Maastricht, Porto Alegre in Brazil and Copenhagen, to present my work at international conferences. I also travel around the Netherlands on a regular basis, as a member of the Ius Commune Research School, which gives me the opportunity to learn more about research and methodology and network with researchers from different universities. Furthermore, I had the pleasure of going back to the University of Zagreb for two months, this time as an external researcher. And last, but definitely not least, it made it possible for me to be involved in setting up a new Master course, European Private Law in Practice, through which I will teach students about how European private law is created in practice.’