DATA26: How Culture is Transforming Trenčín
We are a team of researchers who believe in the transformative power of culture. We monitor and document how culture is shaping our city and region. Your evaluation of the Trenčín 2026 project matters!
Our Vision and Approach
How do we work?
- We document the cultural, social, and economic transformations brought by Trenčín’s journey as the European Capital of Culture 2026.
- By combining participatory and scientific methods, we seek to understand how culture shapes the urban and social landscape.
- We are building a knowledge base that inspires contemporary cultural policy and leaves a meaningful legacy for the future.
What Do We Aim to Achieve?
- Evaluate the short-term, medium-term, and long-term impacts of the Trenčín 2026 project.
- Support evidence-based cultural policy.
- Connect citizens, academics, policymakers, and cultural actors.
- Understand the role of culture in sustainable urban development and societal well-being.
- Build a knowledge base for future research in cultural policy and events.
Who is DATA26?
Our work is based on thorough research and collaboration with communities, experts, and policymakers.
Mgr. Katarína Rozvadská, Ph.D. - Head of Research Team, Qualitative Researcher
Mgr. Katarína Rozvadská, Ph.D.
Head of Research Team, Qualitative Researcher
Mgr. Dana Kuběnková, Ph.D. - Deputy Lead, Quantitative Researcher
Mgr. Dana Kuběnková, Ph.D., Deputy Lead, Quantitative Researcher
Dana holds a Ph.D. from the University of Economics in Bratislava, specializing in survey data collection and data science. You may meet her at focus groups or during field data collection. Her research interests include social cohesion, societal resilience in a rapidly changing world, and the role of culture in strengthening both.
Mgr. Zuzana Pešťanská, Ph.D. - Qualitative Researcher for Community Studies
Mgr. Zuzana Pešťanská, Ph.D., Qualitative Researcher for Community Studies
Zuzana earned her Ph.D. from Comenius University in Bratislava and has extensive experience in health research, social group and community studies, as well as monitoring and evaluating philanthropic projects focused on social change. She applies ethnographic and narrative methodological approaches to gain deeper insights into how culture impacts people’s lives in the city. As a dedicated story collector, you will often find her in Trenčín’s neighborhoods and streets during various Trenčín 2026 events or leading group discussions as part of the monitoring team’s activities.
Rafaela Neiva Ganga, PhD. – International Lead, Governance, Design & Leadership.
Rafaela Neiva Ganga, PhD. – International Lead, Governance, Design & Leadership
Rafaela holds a Phd in Sociology from the University of Porto with a global ethnography on contemporary museum education at ECoC. Rafaela is a Public Sociologist, and her work lies at the intersection of the arts, health, and innovation. She uses sociological theories and interdisciplinary methods to foster evidence-based social change.
Rafaela is the author of the Trencin 2026 Monitoring & Evaluation strategy. She collaborates with the DATA26 team to share her expertise and support project development in Trencin and throughout Europe. Rafaela is particularly interested in the role of cultural participation in improving health and wellbeing.
Write to us
Help us map the impacts of cultural projects and shape the story of Trenčín as the European Capital of Culture. Share your opinions, experiences, and ideas at data26@trencin2026.eu.
NEWS
