BCSP researchers at Norwegian Institute for International Affairs

During the upcoming period, BCSP researchers will have the opportunity to work on their research projects with help from the mentors at Norwegian Institute for International Affairs and to share experiences and research practices with them. 

During her stay at NUPI, BCSP researcher Isidora Stakic will research the processes of securitisation of LGBT minority in the discourse of Serbian right-wing actors. The analysis will also seek to explain the relationship between homophobic attitudes and Serbian nationalism, the ideology of the Serbian right wing. Isidora’s work at NUPI will be supervised by Julie Wilhelmsen, Ph.D., Senior Research Fellow whose expertise includes securitisation theory.

“The research visit to NUPI gives me a valuable opportunity to be mentored by distinguished security scholar who has an extensive expertise in researching securitization of Chechnya and Chechen people in Russian discourses. During my stay in Oslo, I will apply her theoretical framework to my research. Besides the mentor support, we have an opportunity to attend theory seminars that NUPI organises on regular bases”, said BCSP researcher.

While at NUPI, BCSP researcher Bojan Elek will conduct the research with focus on the post-Brussels agreement northern Kosovo. He will attempt to explain the integration process that is taking place as a consequence of the reduced bargaining leverage of the Serbian community in the North, caused by the reduced political support coming from Serbia and increased integrationist pressures from Pristina and international community. Whileconducting this research, Bojan will be mentored by Kari Osland, Ph. D, Senior Research Fellow at NUPI who had previously done research on the Balkans, with special focus on Kosovo.

“My stay at NUPI will benefit me greatly because I have the opportunity to see and learn how research is done in one of the leading Norwegian policy-oriented research institutions. Apart from that, my mentor has a vast experience in researching the Western Balkans, especially policing in Kosovo, which is related to my research topic and will definitely help me produce a research paper of highest quality”, pointed out Elek.

Both of the BCSP researchers are staying at NUPI until mid-June, when they are expected to finish their research projects, return to BCSP and later publish their work and disseminate the findings.This exchange of researchers is taking place under the NUPI Cooperation project, which is the BCSP’s partner institution that carries out research in security policy, international relations, economics and development policy and it is one of the leading think-tanks influencing creation of the Norwegian foreign policy.