Vujo Ilić

Vujo Ilić serves as a Research Fellow and Assistant Director at the Institute of Philosophy and Social Theory, University of Belgrade, holding a PhD in Political Science from Central European University in Budapest with specialization in comparative politics and Southeast European focus.

His research critically examines democracy, elections, political participation, conflicts, and violence in Southeast Europe, emphasizing democratic innovations in flawed regimes and social movement dynamics during crises like the pandemic. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with empirical analysis of citizen engagement.

Recent publications reveal concentrated expertise in participatory democratic innovations within illiberal contexts, comparative leadership studies (e.g., Orbán-Vučić parallels), and pandemic-era social movement adaptations in Serbia.

His scientific recognition includes:

• Central European University Best Dissertation Award (2020)
• Association for the Study of Nationalities Best Doctoral Paper Award (2016)

He directs Horizon Europe-funded projects Network of Networks for Democracy (Nets4Dem) and Enlightened Trust (EnTrust), while providing expert consultancy on public policy design and empirical research methodologies for international organizations.

As a core member of ActiveLab (Laboratory for Active Citizenship and Democratic Innovations), he advances practical democratic innovation research through interdisciplinary collaboration within the Institute's laboratory structure.