Ontological Security through the power of memory in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the case study of the War Childhood MuseumIvaniš, Iris (Avtor) Zupančič, Rok (Mentor) Kočan, Faris (Komentor) ontological securityheterodox ontic spacesmemory spacessupra-ethnicityWar Childhood MuseumBosnia and HerzegovinaSecurity is one of the core aspects of life that enables us to function and build our personal narratives. It comes in different forms, such as physical, economic or political, as well as ontological. Ontological security – stable sense of identity and the Self - is established through routinized behaviors and the sense of home, which provide a layer of protection from the outside world. This doctoral dissertation addresses the question of ontological security formation in memory spaces within the context of post-conflict societies. It focuses on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), where ethnic divisions are deeply embedded in social, political, economic and cultural life, shaping collective memory and identity. Conversely, supraethnicity is oftentimes contested in ethnically divided societies, yet it still finds its footing in specific spheres of life, such as memory spaces. This dissertation investigates whether and how supra-ethnic memory spaces (e.g., War Childhood Museum - WCM) can serve as material anchors of ontological security for individuals from different constituent groups (Bosniak, Bosnian Croat and Bosnian Serb) and Others in BiH. The research utilizes a mixed-methods approach, combining primary and secondary source analysis, Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) and semi-structured in-depth interviews. The source analysis establishes the conceptual and historical framework. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with the WCM visitors from the three constituent groups and Others provide insight into individual experiences and perceptions of the WCM as a potential source of ontological security. CDA of 314 media publications examines media discourse regarding the WCM across ethnic media landscapes. Findings reveal that the WCM fosters an environment where visitors can renegotiate their identities, where it becomes a heterodox ontic space - a material anchor for ontological security primarily for one identity group, while other identity groups value its function without internalizing it as a source of ontological security or as home.20262026-10-03 07:30:10Doktorsko delo/naloga189317sl