This appointment represents significant international recognition of Professor Divjak’s academic and professional work, as well as her long-standing contribution to the development of learning analytics and the digital transformation of education. SoLAR brings together leading researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers from around the world in the field of learning analytics, with the aim of advancing research and the application of data-informed approaches in education. As President, Professor Divjak will play a key role in the strategic leadership of SoLAR, strengthening international collaboration and increasing the impact of learning analytics on educational policy and practice.
“What we work on is actually very simple to explain, but complex to research: how people learn and how data can help us improve education — from schools and universities to lifelong learning and practice in industry. That is why this field connects different disciplines and technologies, but with one common goal: better and more accessible education. Research in learning analytics is interdisciplinary because it involves mathematics and statistics, informatics and computer science, learning sciences and educational sciences, as well as educational technology and artificial intelligence in education. SoLAR is also the organization behind the world’s leading conference in this field — Learning Analytics & Knowledge (LAK) — as well as a number of publications, including the highly ranked (Q1) international journal Journal of Learning Analytics. I look forward to this role and the opportunity to contribute internationally to the development of ideas and scientific research that can help make education more effective and accessible. I would also like to thank everyone who has, in one way or another, been part of my journey in science and education, and beyond” said Professor Divjak.
Professor Divjak heads the Learning Analytics Laboratory at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Organization and Informatics, which represents the central hub of learning analytics research in Croatia. The laboratory brings together an interdisciplinary team of researchers and practitioners working in learning analytics, academic analytics, learning design, and related fields. The team continuously publishes internationally competitive research results and implements projects at both national and international levels, while its researchers are also well recognized within the international learning analytics community. Today, the laboratory has 10 members, has participated in more than 30 projects, and has produced over 300 scientific publications.
Professor Divjak is the most highly cited researcher at FOI. She has published more than 200 scientific and professional papers in mathematics, learning analytics, strategic planning, learning design, and e-learning development, and has participated as an invited speaker at numerous scientific conferences worldwide.
In addition to her presidential role in Society for Learning Analytics Research, Professor Divjak currently leads three major projects in the field of learning analytics and artificial intelligence in education. At the international level, she coordinates the projects TRUELA – Trustworthy Learning Analytics and Artificial Intelligence for Sound Learning Design and SAILeR – Streamlining AI in Learning Reimagination, both focused on developing trustworthy, ethical, and pedagogically grounded solutions for the use of learning analytics and AI in education.
The SAILeR project builds on previous Erasmus+ projects, RAPIDE – Relevant Assessment and Pedagogies for Inclusive Digital Education and iLed – Innovating Learning Design in Higher Education, through which the innovative learning design tool Balanced Design Planning was developed at FOI under Professor Divjak’s leadership. Today, the tool is used in more than 40 countries worldwide.
At the institutional level, Professor Divjak also leads the RASAD – Development of a Learning Analytics System Connected with Learning Design and Artificial Intelligence project.
Photo: Prof. Blaženka Divjak at the Learning Analytics and Knowledge Conference 2026 conference in Bergen in 2026 (source: personal archive)
The election of Professor Blaženka Divjak as President of Society for Learning Analytics Research strongly confirms her international recognition and leading role in the development of learning analytics. At the same time, the University of Zagreb Faculty of Organization and Informatics is further affirmed as an internationally recognized centre of research and innovation in learning analytics, artificial intelligence, and contemporary approaches to education, as Professor Divjak becomes the first President of SoLAR from this part of Europe.
We extend our sincere congratulations to Professor Divjak!
