Bojana Zorić
Paris
Summary
A dedicated and results-driven professional with a decade of experience navigating the complex political dynamics of the Western Balkans in an international setting. Currently leading the Western Balkans and enlargement policy portfolio at the EU Institute for Security Studies. I hold a doctoral degree in Political Science with a specialisation in security studies, complemented by an academic background in Russian philology and EU-Russia relations, focusing on Russia’s foreign policy in post-Soviet and Western Balkan countries. Passionate about geopolitics and analysing Europe within a broader global context.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Research Analyst for Western Balkans
EU INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES (EUISS)
09.2023 - Current
- Lead the EUISS analytical work on the Western Balkans, with a focus on political dynamics, security challenges, and regional cooperation.
- Produce forward-looking, high-quality reports and policy analysis combining qualitative insights and quantitative data to inform EU external action and enlargement policy.
- Design and organise high-level events, briefings, and closed-door meetings to engage EU policymakers and officials on strategic developments in EU–Western Balkans relations.
- Liaise regularly with EU institutions, national governments, think tanks, academic institutions, and regional organisations to strengthen dialogue and policy coherence.
- Monitor and assess evolving trends in EU–Western Balkans relations, enlargement process, and regional stability, providing timely analytical input.
- Contribute to the wider work of the EUISS through written publications, strategic notes, and verbal briefings, supporting the Institute’s mission on EU foreign and security policy.
Senior Policy Analyst
REGIONAL COOPERATION COUNCIL (RCC)
01.2021 - 08.2023
- Advised the Secretary General on political and economic developments in Southeast Europe, with a focus on navigating complex and politically sensitive regional dynamics.
- Led the Balkan Barometer, a flagship public and business perception survey, overseeing data collection, stakeholder coordination, and development of annual analytical reports.
- Spearheaded the security-focused edition of the Balkan Barometer addressing the impact of the war in Ukraine; designed survey instruments, coordinated regional data collection, and managed the drafting of the final report.
- Contributed to SecuriMeter, a regional public opinion survey on key security issues including disinformation, illegal migration, and public trust in institutions.
- Coordinated EU-related reporting on the implementation of RCC-led agendas, including interim and annual progress reports submitted to DG ENEST.
- Managed the drafting and internal coordination of the RCC’s Triannual Strategy and Work Programme, as well as other strategic planning documents.
- Organised and facilitated high-level regional cooperation forums, including Prime Ministers’ Sherpas Meetings, Donor Coordination Meetings, and Steering Committees between RCC and DG NEAR.
- Coordinated the preparation of narrative and budget documents for the Programme Department under the DG NEAR Grant Action 2023–2025, ensuring alignment with EU funding and reporting standards.
Expert on Monitoring and Reporting
REGIONAL COOPERATION COUNCIL (RCC)
01.2019 - 12.2020
- Led the EUISS’s analytical portfolio on Southeast Europe, providing in-depth analysis of political developments, regional security dynamics, and cooperation initiatives.
- Authored reports and strategic briefs combining qualitative research and quantitative data to inform EU external action, enlargement policy, and regional stabilisation efforts.
- Conceptualised and delivered high-level events, policy briefings, and expert roundtables to engage EU institutions and national stakeholders on the future of EU–Western Balkans relations, regional integration, and geopolitical risks.
- Built and maintained strategic relationships with EU institutions, national governments, international organisations, think tanks, academia, and regional cooperation bodies (CEFTA, WB6 CIF, Transport Community), ensuring a broad and connected analytical outlook.
Policy and Administrative Assistant
REGIONAL COOPERATION COUNCIL (RCC)
03.2018 - 12.2018
- Monitored and analysed policy developments on EU enlargement, with particular attention to the Western Balkans and comparative trends in the Eastern Partnership region.
- Contributed analytical input to RCC reports, focusing on alignment with EU acquis, regional cooperation benchmarks, and the evolving conditionality framework.
- Drafted clear and concise minutes and summaries of high-level meetings, consultations, and conferences related to EU enlargement, governance, and sectoral reforms.
- Provided administrative and policy support to consultations with the European Commission (DG ENEST, DG CONNECT, DG JUST), ensuring coherence with EU strategic objectives and regional priorities.
- Supported comparative analysis of previous and ongoing enlargement rounds, helping identify challenges, best practices, and lessons learned from earlier accession processes
Political Advisor Trainee (Blue Book)
RENEW EUROPE, EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS (CoR)
09.2017 - 02.2018
- Supported the inter-institutional coordination between the Committee of the Regions, European Commission, and European Parliament.
- Monitored and attended commission and working group meetings, providing real-time insight into evolving institutional positions and identifying areas of convergence and divergence across EU institutions.
- Reviewed, analysed, and synthesised key legislative and policy documents from the CoR, EC, and EP to support informed decision-making and ensure alignment across institutional outputs.
- Contributed to strengthening policy dialogue by tracking the flow of opinions, legislative initiatives, and institutional reactions across sectors including cohesion, digital, governance, and regional development.
Project and Research Intern
SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL LIBERAL CENTRE (SILC)
02.2017 - 06.2017
- Supported democracy promotion efforts and civil society engagement in Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia, working closely with election observation missions, pro-democracy political actors, and grassroots activists.
- Conducted background research, political risk assessments, and party analysis to inform international partners on electoral dynamics, authoritarian practices, and democratic resilience in the Eastern Partnership region.
- Drafted analytical reports, prepared meeting protocols, and developed thematic agendas for high-level discussions on political reform, civic space, and governance.
- Provided translation and linguistic support (English–Russian) for election-related missions and dialogue initiatives, facilitating communication between international observers and local stakeholders.
- Contributed to strengthening institutional resilience in partner countries by informing policy dialogues on rule of law, electoral integrity, and countering external interference, particularly in the context of Russian influence.
Education
PhD - Political Science, specialisation in Security and Strategic Studies
MASARYK UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF SOCIAL STUDIES
09.2024
Master of Arts (MA) - European Union – Russia studies, cum laude
UNIVERSITY OF TARTU, JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
06.2017
Erasmus + Exchange - Russian politics, EU Foreign Policy, Russia and Eurasia: Transnational and Global Perspectives
KU LEUVEN, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
01.2017
Master of Arts (MA) - Russian philology, Pedagogy
UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB, FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
07.2014
Bilateral Exchange - Russian language comprehension, translation and interpretation
SAINT PETERSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY
05.2014
Skills
- Punctual and dependable in managing time-sensitive projects
- Reliable team member and coordinator
- Strong integrity and professional ethics
- Data collection and analysis
- Project management and reporti
- Analytical mindset and policy-oriented thinking
- Qualitative research and analysis
- Confident public speaker and skilled facilitator
Publications
- 10 Ideas for the new team, Steven Everts, Bojana Zorić, 2024, https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/chaillot-papers/10-ideas-new-team
- Quo Vadis Kosovo? High time to realign with the West, Bojana Zorić, Ilir Deda, 2024, https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/briefs/quo-vadis-kosovo-high-time-realign-west
- Friends of Foes within Pan-Slavic Brotherhood: A Narrative Analysis of Aleksandar Vučić’s Stance on Russia’s Aggression Against Ukraine, Jiří Němec, Bojana Zorić, 2024, Nationalities Papers
- Türkiye in the Western Balkans: Laying its cards on the table, Bojana Zorić, 2024, Türkiye’s cards in the World, https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/chaillot-papers/turkiyes-cards-world
- Human rights on trial: Universalism under attack, Bojana Zorić, 2024, Contestation: The new dynamic driving global politics, https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/chaillot-papers/contestation-new-dynamic-driving-global-politics
- Bosnia and Herzegovina’s quest for EU membership: Breaking the grip of political and institutional deadlock, Bojana Zorić, 2023, https://www.iss.europa.eu/publications/briefs/bosnia-and-herzegovinas-quest-eu-membership
- Non-western influence operations in North Macedonia: a reason for concern or push towards the west?, Bojana Zorić, Věra Stojarová, 2023, European Security, 15, 1, 1-21, 10.1080/09662839.2023.2178845
- Gospels of (Re)Conciliation in North Macedonia: Skating on Thin Ice of Albanian-Macedonian Inter-Ethnic Dialogue, Bojana Zorić, Jiří Němec, 2022, Peace Review, A Journal of Social Service, 1-14, 10.1080/10402659.2022.2155035
- Building Sustainable Peace and Security in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bojana Zorić, Věra Stojarová, 2022, Peace and Security in the Western Balkans, A Local Perspective, Nemanja Džuverović, Věra Stojarová, Routledge, 30-49, 10.4324/9781003276661-4
- Balkan Barometer 2022: Public and Business Opinion Surveys, Bojana Zorić, 2022, Regional Cooperation Council, https://www.rcc.int/balkanbarometer/publications
- Common Regional Market Report on Implementation for 2021, Bojana Zorić, 2022, Regional Cooperation Council, https://www.rcc.int/pubs/145/common-regional-market-report-on-implementation-for-2021
- Assessing Russian Impact on the Western Balkan Countries’ EU Accession: Cases of Croatia and Serbia, Bojana Zorić, 2017, Journal of Liberty and International Affairs, 3, 2, 9-18, https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=577973
- Propaganda as a Tool of Obstructing Montenegro’s Engagement with the West, Bojana Zorić, 2017, Latvian Interests in the EU, 23, 2, 22-35, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366840172_Propaganda_as_a_Tool_of_Obstructing_Montenegro%27s_Engagement_with_the_West
Languages
Croatian
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
English
Advanced (C1)
Russian
Advanced (C1)
Spanish
Upper intermediate (B2)
French
Upper intermediate (B2)
Timeline
Research Analyst for Western Balkans
EU INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES (EUISS)
09.2023 - Current
Senior Policy Analyst
REGIONAL COOPERATION COUNCIL (RCC)
01.2021 - 08.2023
Expert on Monitoring and Reporting
REGIONAL COOPERATION COUNCIL (RCC)
01.2019 - 12.2020
Policy and Administrative Assistant
REGIONAL COOPERATION COUNCIL (RCC)
03.2018 - 12.2018
Political Advisor Trainee (Blue Book)
RENEW EUROPE, EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS (CoR)
09.2017 - 02.2018
Project and Research Intern
SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL LIBERAL CENTRE (SILC)
02.2017 - 06.2017
Erasmus + Exchange - Russian politics, EU Foreign Policy, Russia and Eurasia: Transnational and Global Perspectives
KU LEUVEN, FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES
Master of Arts (MA) - Russian philology, Pedagogy
UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB, FACULTY OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Bilateral Exchange - Russian language comprehension, translation and interpretation
SAINT PETERSBURG STATE UNIVERSITY
PhD - Political Science, specialisation in Security and Strategic Studies
MASARYK UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF SOCIAL STUDIES
Master of Arts (MA) - European Union – Russia studies, cum laude
UNIVERSITY OF TARTU, JOHAN SKYTTE INSTITUTE OF POLITICAL STUDIES
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