Dragan A. Popovic, PhD, was born in Laćisled near Kruševac. He obtained his PhD in Kinesiology at the University of Zagreb in 1984. He was a professor in the subjects of psychology with sports psychology, martial arts, and research methodology at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education at the University of Priština. He was also elected as a professor in psychometrics and research methodology at the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Priština and was appointed as a full professor in statistics at the Faculty of Medicine.
He served as the president of the methodological section for Physical Culture in Serbia, the president of the University Sports Association and the Judo Federation of Kosovo and Metohija, the vice president of the University Sports Association of Serbia, a member of the DAN College Examination Committee of Serbia, a member of the Anthropological Society of Serbia, FIEP, and ECSS, as well as many other associations in the country and abroad. He was vice-dean from 1996 to 1998, and from 1998 until September 30, 2015, he continuously held the position of dean at the Faculty of Physical Education of the University of Priština, with a temporary seat in Leposavić.
From an early age, he has been involved in martial arts such as judo, karate, aikido, jiu-jitsu, and kendo. To further his education, he undertook study visits to significant centers of both the Eastern and Western Judo Unions. He has held a high International Academic Degree in Judo, 9th DAN.
He gained expertise in kinesiology and psychology by completing two university degrees. He was the head of postgraduate studies and director of the Center for Multidisciplinary Research at the Faculty of Physical Education at the University of Priština for multiple terms.
He participated in the development of dozens of master’s and doctoral theses on issues related to research methodology in scientific work. His primary scientific interests include computational statistics and programming, mathematical psychology, kinesiology, and motor control. He has achieved all academic titles.
He was first appointed full professor in 1991. He taught at the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš for seventeen years, where he also began his academic career. He has lectured by invitation at many universities both domestically and internationally, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. He taught psychology at the Faculty of Arts, psychometrics and research methodology at the Faculty of Philosophy, statistics at the Faculty of Medicine, methodology of pedagogical research at the Faculty of Teacher Education at the University of Priština, research methodology at the Faculty of Physical Education at the University of Belgrade and Novi Sad, martial arts at the Faculty of Physical Education in Pale at the University of Serbian Sarajevo, methodology and combat sports at the Faculty of Philosophy at the University of Niš, and methodology at the Faculty of Physical Education at the University of Skopje. He is a visiting professor at Thrace University in Greece. Since 2007, he has been a member of the International Academy of Computer Science and Systems in Kyiv, and since 2015, a regular member. As of May 27, 2022, he is also a full member of the Serbian Academy of Innovative Sciences.
He has published around 400 scientific papers both in Serbia and abroad. He has published 20 books, 4 of international significance and 16 of national significance. Four of his works have been translated and published abroad, one in Greek and three in English. His most important works are listed in his scientific record.
Major Books and Publications
(A comprehensive list of his academic publications and books follows, covering methodologies, martial arts, psychology, kinesiology, and statistical analysis.)
Honors and Awards
As a public recognition of his significant scientific and professional contributions, Dragan Popović has received numerous awards, including:
- Golden Plaque “Six Centuries of Kruševac”
- Golden Plaque “Days of Physical Culture in Serbia”
- Golden Plaque of the Pedagogical Institute of Kruševac
- “Vidovdan Charter” of Kosovo and Metohija
- Golden Plaque for Scientific Research, Democritus University, Komotini, Greece
- Golden Plaque of the European Federation for Sambo, Novi Sad
- Silver Plaque of the International Academy of Computer Sciences and Systems for Contributions to the Development of Physical Culture, Kyiv
- “Captain Miša Anastasijević Charter” for Contributions to Sports, Invent Media, Novi Sad (2007)
- “Captain Miša Anastasijević Charter” for Demonstrated Humanity and Care for People, Invent Media, Novi Sad (2012)
- Charter of the “Republic Association of Homeland War Veterans of Serbia”
- “Order of Saint Sava, Second Degree,” awarded by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Serbian Orthodox Church
His name and life achievements are recorded in the Encyclopedia of Kruševac (2011 and 2016).