Robert Repnik

He works as an associate professor in the field of physics at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics of the University of Maribor (FNM) and a member of the program group Computational Intensive Complex Systems. He is engaged in research in the field of liquid crystals and didactics of physics. In the field of liquid crystals, he studies surface phenomena and defects in a plane-parallel liquid crystal cell, applied representations of statics and dynamics of defects, and structural and phase transitions. In the field of didactics of physics, he deals with the study of the effectiveness of ways of introducing modern content into the teaching of physics, the development of the teaching of astronomicalcontent and didactic approaches in the use of educational – communication technology in physics lessons. He was the coordinator of the project Development of Natural Science Competences. He also dedicates himself to the applications of physics in the economy and cooperates with companies where physical knowledge is recognized as important.

At the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Maribor, he has so far held the positions of Deputy Head of the Department of Physics and later Head, as well as managerial positions in two companies. Since 2019, she has been the acting vice-dean for cooperation with the economy at FNM. In 2020, he was appointed Director of the Public Agency for Research of the Republic of Slovenia.

He is also active in the field of popularization of science. He participated in the organization of the International Year of Physics (2005), the International Year of Astronomy (2009), in the implementation of the projects Researchers’ Night (2006-2016) and Znanstival (2009). He is a member of the astronomical societies adPolaris and adKmica and a member of the Subject Development Group for Physics at ZRSŠ. He also works in the Association for Technical Culture of Slovenia, especially in the field of youth research. He is the recipient of the bronze and Silver badges of the University of Maribor and the bronze and gold awards of ZOTKS.