European Research Executive Agency
European Research Executive Agency
02/19/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 02/19/2026 07:52
When letters become battlegrounds: How one MSCA fellow shaped national language policy
© Tomislav Stojanov, 2026
MSCA Fellow of the Month
Why does spelling change? Some say it's to make writing more modern, others to keep it closer to history and tradition. But what do these reasons actually mean?"
TomislavWhen spelling becomes politics
In his project SPELLFLICT (Understanding spelling conflicts: A case study of new standard languages in the former Yugoslavia in the European context), Stojanov examined how orthographic debates reveal deeper questions about national identity, political responsibility, and social cohesion.
His research shows that spelling disputes reveal what people value and how they see themselves.
He identified 3 factors that heighten conflict
- societies where national identity is frequently debated treat spelling as more sensitive
- personal attachment to spelling makes disagreements emotional
- insufficient political responsibility for language policy allows tensions to grow.
From research to legislation
In 2024, the Croatian Parliament adopted the Croatian Language Act, which protects and ensures the use of Croatian and promote the learning of the Croatian language abroad.
Stojanov was 1 of 5 scholars commissioned to draft the legislation. This drew directly on his MSCA research - a rare example of fundamental research immediately informing national policy.
He has become a public intellectual on language policy by contributing to an encyclopedic chapter for Elsevier, participating in expert panels in Croatia and the UK, engaging with media, and creating a YouTube channel that makes complex linguistic concepts accessible to the public.
The time I spent on my MSCA-PD was by far the most productive and inspiring period of my career. After carefully exploring various postdoc funding options, I realised that the MSCA offers the best career opportunities for early-stage researchers.
TomislavLeadership within the MCAA
At the beginning of his MSCA fellowship Stojanov joined the Marie Curie Alumni Association (MCAA). He was motivated to address challenges such as academic budget cuts, violations of academic freedom, and insecure career paths.
Through the MCAA Policy Working Group, he contributed to policy positions and press statements addressed to EU institutions and co-drafted a funded COST Action proposal.
As Chair of the MCAA Croatia Chapter, he co-organised expert panels and co-authored an open letter on research and higher education in Croatia, signed by 30 prominent scholars.
I see the MCAA as an incubator for future European leaders, an environment that encourages researchers to step beyond their academic comfort zones, take initiative, and actively defend the values on which European civilisation is built. At a time when these values are increasingly challenged, the MCAA offers not only a platform but also a community where scholars can turn shared concerns into meaningful action and make a real impact.
TomislavAdvice for fellow researchers
I faced many challenges along the way before securing the grant. That's why I want to share this with all prospective candidates: don't let discouragement or fear stand in your way. The biggest obstacle is often your own self-doubt. If your project gets funded, you'll receive generous support that allows you to pursue the training and research you've dreamed of, just like I did.
TomislavStojanov's work demonstrates how scholarly inquiry can inform both policy and public conversation.
The Croatian Language Act serves as a concrete proof that research on seemingly niche topics can have a profound societal impact.
More information
European Research Executive Agency published this content on February 19, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on February 19, 2026 at 13:52 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]