Maja Bjeloš

Maja joined the BCSP team in July 2009, where she has developed her research skills and became the author of many policy papers that have contributed to the improvement of public policy in the fields of defence and security in the Republic of Serbia.

In addition, Maja has work experience as a consultant in the field of security and gender equality for international and domestic civil society organisations.

Her work focuses primarily on the foreign and security policy of Serbia, Kosovo and on gender equality.

Maja is a political scientist specialising in international relations. Postgraduate academic studies at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Belgrade, have helped her in her career development in the field of security sector reform through work in the civil sector.

List of Publications

Books and Reports

Bjeloš, Maja, Bojan Elek, and Filip Mirilović. 2024. Digital Surveillance to Serbia: A Threat to Human Rights. Balkan Insight, https://balkaninsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Digital-surveillance-in-Serbia.pdf

Cvijic, Srdjan, and Maja Bjeloš. 2023. “Balkan Csárdás: Hungarian Foreign Policy Dance.” Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, https://bezbednost.org/en/publication/online-actions-offline-harms-case-studies-on-gender-and-cybersecurity-in-the-western-balkans-case-study-serbia/

Ranković, Ivana, and Maja Bjelos. 2023. “Online Actions, Offline Harms: Case Studies on Gender and Cybersecurity in the Western Balkans – Case Study Serbia.” Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, https://bezbednost.org/en/publication/online-actions-offline-harms-case-studies-on-gender-and-cybersecurity-in-the-western-balkans-case-study-serbia/

Bjelos, Maja, and Bojan Elek. 2023. “Is Kosovo a Fuse for the Balkan Powder Keg?” In Europe and Russia on the Balkan Front. ISPI, https://www.ispionline.it/en/publication/europe-and-russia-on-the-balkan-front-geopolitics-and-diplomacy-in-the-eus-backyard-118951

Vuksanović, Vuk, Luka Šterić, and Maja Bjelos. 2022. “Public Perception of Serbian Foreign Policy in the Midst of War in Ukraine.” Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, https://bezbednost.org/en/publication/public-perception-of-serbian-foreign-policy-in-the-midst-of-the-war-in-ukraine/

Vuksanović, Vuk, and Maja Bjelos. 2022. “Geopolitics is Local – Ramifications of Chinese Projects for Human Security in Serbia.” Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, https://bezbednost.org/en/publication/geopolitics-is-local-ramifications-of-chinese-projects-for-human-security-in-serbia/

Pavlović, Marija, and Maja Bjeloš. 2022. “Cybersecurity and Human Rights in the Western Balkans: Mapping Governance and Actors – Case Study Serbia.” DCAF, https://bezbednost.org/en/publication/cybersecurity-and-human-rights-in-the-western-balkans-mapping-governance-and-actors-case-study-serbia/

Krstić, Milan, Maja Bjelos, and Bojan Elek. 2021. “A Brief History of Citizens’ Views on the Dialogue between Belgrade and Priština. What Has (Not) Changed?” Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, https://bezbednost.org/en/publication/a-brief-history-of-citizens-views-on-the-dialogue-between-belgrade-and-pristina-what-has-not-changed/

Drajić, Marko, Maja Bjeloš, and Isidora Stakić. 2020. “The Masks Have Slipped: Serbia in a Geopolitical Pandemic.” Belgrade Centre for Security Policy.

Bjelos, Maja, et al. 2019. “Western Balkans at the Crossroads: Assessing Influences of Non-Western External Actors.” Prague Security Study Institute, https://www.balkancrossroads.com/publication

Bjelos, Maja, and Bojan Elek. 2014. “Police Integration in North Kosovo: Progress and Remaining Challenges in Implementation of the Brussels Agreement.” Kosovar Center for Security Studies, https://qkss.org/images/uploads/files/Police_Integration_in_North_Kosovo_851241.pdf

Odanovic, Gorana, and Maja Bjelos. 2013. “Women, Peace and Security in the Western Balkans – Chapter on Serbia.” Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, https://unescowomen.uom.gr/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/WOMEN-PEACE-AND-SECURITY_Independent-review-of-translation-of-UNSCR-1325.pdf

Bjelos, Maja. 2012. “Quotas in the Serbian Security Sector – Do They Constrain or Promote Women?” Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, https://bezbednost.org/en/publication/quotas-in-the-serbian-security-sector-do-they-constrain-or-promote-women/

Odanovic, Gorana, and Maja Bjelos. 2010. “Gender and Security Sector Reform in Serbia.” DCAF and Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, https://www.dcaf.ch/sites/default/files/publications/documents/2010-11-05_Gender%2520and%2520Security%2520Sector%2520Reform%2520in%2520Serbia_FINAL.pdf

Opinion Articles

Bjelos, Maja. (2023, December 15). “Serbian Elections, Political Survival in Times of Global Crises.” Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, https://bezbednost.org/en/publication/serbian-elections-political-survival-in-times-of-global-crises/

Bjelos, Maja. (2023, December 8). “Pro-Democracy Forces in Serbia Targeted with Spyware.” Balkan Insight, https://balkaninsight.com/2023/12/08/pro-democracy-forces-in-serbia-targeted-with-spyware/

Bjelos, Maja. (2023, June 22). “Social Controls: China-Style Surveillance is Coming to Serbia.” Balkan Insight, https://balkaninsight.com/2023/06/22/social-controls-china-style-surveillance-is-coming-to-serbia/

Bjelos, Maja. (2022, September 15). “Only Democracy Can Bring Stability to the Balkans.” War on the Rocks, https://warontherocks.com/2022/09/only-democracy-can-bring-stability-to-the-balkans/

Bjelos, Maja. (2019, February 15). “Two months of protests in Serbia – what’s next?” Brave New Europe, https://braveneweurope.com/maja-bjelos-two-months-of-protests-in-serbia-whats-next

Bjelos, Maja. (2017, April 18). “Who are the Protesters in Serbia, and What Do They Really Want?” LSE Europp Blog, https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2017/04/18/who-are-the-protesters-in-serbia-and-what-do-they-really-want/