Selected Student Fellowship 2025 Final Papers

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As part of the Fellowship program, the second half of each year is dedicated to original research. During this phase, participants are tasked with producing papers that examine various dimensions of Serbian–American relations and propose avenues for their further development. The choice of topics is left to the Fellows themselves, while members of the research department provide guidance and mentorship throughout the process.

This volume brings together twelve of the most distinguished contributions, organized into four thematic sections. The abstracts presented here illustrate the breadth of approaches and perspectives taken by the authors, reflecting both the diversity of research interests and the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral ties.

In recognition of exceptional quality and originality, several papers have been singled out for awards:

• 1st place – Stefan Popadić

• 2nd place – Luka Radivojević

• 3rd place – Marta Jeremić

  
  

Special Awards:

• Alayna Coleates

• Sara Pavlovic

Diplomacy & Foreign Policy

1. Social Media at the Crossroads: Countering Disinformation and Reinventing U.S. Diplomacy in Serbia
Alayna Coleates (Special Award Winner)

This paper examines how Serbia’s rapidly digitized information environment—marked by low trust in traditional media outlets and heavy youth reliance on social media—has amplified the impact of Russian and Chinese narratives while hindering the reach of traditional U.S. public diplomacy. It explains current perceptions through historical factors such as enduring grievances over the 1999 NATO bombing, as well as the U.S. recognition of Kosovo. It then traces how state-backed media outlets and symbolic “friendship” messaging convert those sentiments into social content. Against this backdrop, it assesses the limits of existing defense: short-cycle media-literacy projects, reactive fact-checking, and donor programs whose continuity is uncertain, alongside U.S. embassy communication that rarely escapes institutional channels to reach the average Serb. The paper proposes a dual strategy. For the U.S., it recommends an increased focus on short-form digital storytelling that utilizes credible messengers—especially exchange-program alumni (e.g., YES Abroad, Fulbright, Gilman)—and human-scale cultural engagement that makes diplomats relatable to Serbian youth. For Serbia, it calls for durable and widespread media-literacy integration, protections for independent journalism, and civil-society-led distribution models that meet audiences where they are. Together, these measures aim to rebuild trust, counter hostile narratives, and align diplomatic communication with how information is actually produced, circulated, and believed in Serbia today.

2. Faith and Foreign Policy: Exploring the Role of Religious Heritage in Strengthening US–Serbia Relations
Luka Radivojević (2nd Place Award)

“Few nations possess in their language a word like zadužbina, which conveys creation, dedication, life, and lasting contribution, not merely a provision for the soul.” This sentence highlights the enduring power of religious endowments and sacred heritage, which is not limited to physical monuments but also embraces the saints, spiritual leaders, and living witnesses of the Church. Centuries of shared Christian heritage reveal the capacity of faith to bridge divides and shape the course of nations. The sacred monasteries and churches of Serbia stand as enduring witnesses to a cultural and spiritual identity that, while rooted in Serbia, speaks internationally, even across the Atlantic. Throughout its modern history, the leadership of the Serbian Orthodox Church has, at critical moments, assumed roles extending far beyond the strictly pastoral, engaging in dialogues that touched the highest points of global politics. Figures such as Patriarch Pavle, whose pastoral missions reached from the halls of the White House to encounters with high-ranking American statesmen, and Bishop Nikolaj Velimirović, whose wartime diplomacy and theological advocacy earned him constructive sessions with leaders across Europe and North America, demonstrate a tradition in which spiritual authority intersects with international influence. 

The thousand-year relationship between the Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches can show how ecclesiastical fractures often precede geopolitical conflict. From the first divisions under Mongolian rule and later Lithuanian–Polish rule, through the Filaretian schism, to the modern estrangement between Moscow and Constantinople, it has evolved into the major contemporary clash of great powers. 

3. The Serbian diaspora in the United States as a legal and economic actor in Serbia’s democratization process
Marta Jeremić (3rd Place Award)

In times when democracy feels uncertain or fragile, the ties between a country and its diaspora take on a significance that goes far beyond nostalgia or cultural pride. These connections can become vital sources of guidance, resilience, and renewal, offering both perspective and practical support. For Serbia, the Serbian diaspora in the United States represents such a resource, one whose potential remains largely untapped. This paper will elaborate on how this community, shaped by the norms and institutions of American democracy, contributes to Serbia’s internal transformation through knowledge transfer, institutional partnerships, and targeted support for reform. 

It focuses on concrete forms of engagement, such as support for judicial reform, anti-corruption projects, and initiatives that promote transparency and the rule of law. Particular attention is given to development programs funded by institutions like USAID, as well as grassroots efforts and philanthropic investments led by diaspora individuals or organizations.

Through a qualitative analysis of policy reports, media narratives, and relevant academic studies, the paper clearly demonstrates that Serbia’s diaspora is not merely an external observer, but a strategic partner whose influence could be structured and amplified. By recognizing the diaspora not only as a cultural asset but as a democratic actor, Serbia can build stronger foundations for political accountability, transparency, and inclusion. 

Science, Technology & Innovation

1. The Serbian-American Technological Alliance: Positioning Serbia in the Geopolitical Competition for Artificial Intelligence
Anica Kovačević

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a defining force in global politics, economics, and security, placing smaller states under pressure to adapt and innovate. For Serbia, the challenge is how to strengthen its technological capacity and avoid marginalization in a system dominated by major powers. This paper argues that a Serbian–U.S. technological alliance, centered on AI, offers a pathway to overcome domestic limitations while advancing shared democratic values and transatlantic security. The study combines an academic analysis of the geopolitical implications of AI with concrete policy recommendations. It explores Serbia’s rapidly growing ICT sector, the role of U.S. investment and mentorship in shaping its innovation ecosystem, and the opportunities and risks of deepening bilateral cooperation. It identifies three strategic priorities: building a shared AI talent pipeline and joint innovation hubs, aligning regulatory and security frameworks with both EU and U.S. standards, and driving public–private partnerships in high-impact sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and energy. By embedding AI cooperation within a broader diplomatic and institutional framework, Serbia can position itself as a regional leader and trusted bridge between U.S. and EU governance models. At the same time, the Alliance strengthens U.S. influence in Southeast Europe and provides a test case for how mid-sized economies can responsibly integrate into the global AI order. Ultimately, the paper demonstrates that ethical AI collaboration not only enhances competitiveness and resilience but also contributes to a more secure and democratic international system.

2. Digital Alliance: Forging a Strategic U.S.–Serbia Partnership in AI, Software Development, and Innovation Diplomacy
Marta Marić

Artificial intelligence, software development, and data governance now shape global competitiveness and geopolitical alignment. This study argues that a strategic U.S.–Serbia partnership in technology and innovation diplomacy is essential to advance mutual economic security and regional stability. Serbia’s rapid digital transformation and growing IT sector boost domestic modernization and resilience, and the partnership provides the U.S. a foothold to foster democratic governance in Southeastern Europe. Despite the influences, European and Chinese digital models argue that mid-sized states can advance economically and diplomatically through technology. This study centers on how Serbia’s innovation ecosystem can strengthen U.S.–Serbia cooperation to advance shared transatlantic interests. The U.S. engagement has expanded Serbia’s IT sector and strengthened its human capital. Both nations have reinforced Serbia’s status as an innovation hub for the Western Balkans by supporting talent retention, knowledge exchange, and entrepreneurial growth. To maintain this momentum, strategic cooperation remains essential, particularly in AI governance, education reform, and startup development. Serbia and the U.S. can ensure secure ties to Euro-Atlantic innovation networks and harness digital collaboration for economic modernization and diplomatic influence in today’s globally competitive landscape.

3. Scientific Achievement as Strategic Leverage: From Mihajlo Pupin to Serbian Biotech in Transatlantic Relations
Sara Pavlovic (Special Award Winner)

This paper explores how scientific innovation, particularly in biotechnology and artificial intelligence, may serve as a strategic foreign policy asset for Serbia in strengthening transatlantic relations with the United States. Rooted in the symbolic legacy of Mihajlo Pupin, a Serbian-American physicist, diplomat, and bridge between cultures, the analysis traces a continuum from early twentieth-century science diplomacy to Serbia’s emerging innovation ecosystem today. Amid intensifying global competition over critical technologies, innovation has become not only an economic driver but also a matter of geopolitical significance. The paper examines Serbia’s current capacities in biotechnology and AI, including initiatives such as the BioSense Institute and diaspora-led collaborations, while addressing persistent challenges such as underinvestment in R&D, brain drain, fragmented policy frameworks, and geopolitical ambiguities. Comparative lessons are drawn from the United States, where science diplomacy is institutionalized as a tool of global leadership, and the European Union (EU), where it is framed as a mechanism of resilience and strategic autonomy. Building on these insights, the paper argues for a proactive Serbian science diplomacy strategy based on institutional reform, transatlantic partnerships, talent diplomacy, and narrative framing. It proposes the establishment of a National Office for Science Diplomacy, increased R&D investment, a biotechnology strategy aligned with EU norms, structured cooperation with U.S. and EU institutions, and the leveraging of Pupin’s legacy in public diplomacy. Ultimately, the paper positions scientific achievement not only as a driver of national development but also as a tool for advancing Serbia’s international standing and strategic autonomy within the transatlantic framework.

4. Strengthening Serbian Science:  U.S. Partnerships and Israel’s Success Story in Science and Innovation
Stefan Popadić (1st Award Winner)

This paper explores how Serbia can strengthen its scientific development and global integration through strategic partnerships, focusing on the United States as a key collaborator in research and innovation. The central research question asks how Serbia can address challenges such as limited infrastructure, talent drain, and bureaucratic barriers by leveraging international cooperation.

The methodology combines a literature review with interviews conducted among Serbian experts with international experience, complemented by insights from personal academic engagement at the BioSense Institute. All sources are documented using the Chicago style with footnotes.

Key arguments highlight Serbia’s recent advancements through initiatives such as the Science Fund, BIO4 Campus, and BioSense Institute, as well as its potential in biotechnology, medical research, smart agriculture, and ICT. Collaboration with the United States emerges as particularly strategic, providing access to advanced technologies, facilitating academia-industry linkages, and enabling joint PhD programs and collaborative projects.

Israel serves as a comparative model, demonstrating how a small country with limited natural resources achieved global leadership in science by engaging its diaspora, investing strategically, and building close ties with U.S. institutions. The findings suggest that Serbia can follow a similar trajectory by adopting these strategies, retaining highly skilled researchers, and strengthening its integration into global innovation networks.

Economy, Business & Development

1. The necessity of investment in domestic production of vaccines against primary import in times of crisis
Ana Antić

Long gone are the times when it was well-advised to rely on a country’s so-called “allies”, if there ever were such a time. As new crises and conflicts constantly arise, and as there is a rising “anti-vaxer” movement, which is leading to surfacing epidemics, it is making both on a national and international level an unstable world. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the world in 2020, as geopolitical conflicts escalated and global supply chains were disrupted, leading to substantial effects across various industries, including the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, which were particularly affected when borders closed during the crisis. While it can not be discounted, imported products do play a crucial role in supplementing national health needs. Still, there is a need as well to look at the resulting over-dependence and limited ability to respond autonomously to emergencies, which greatly undermines the country’s resilience, further proving an absolute need for countries to improve their domestic production of necessary vaccines and drugs to be able to provide for their people also in the case of an ever-rising chance of entering a new time of crisis. In a widely diversified world and population with genetic variants, country emergency actions could not have a "one size fits all" approach, but rather readiness to address global change locally. By looking at both historical and current aspects, this paper aims to prove that a country needs to invest in vaccines and biotechnological production for its public health and national and international security.

2. Farming Futures: How U.S.–Serbia Collaboration Can Transform Agricultural Practices
Dunja Milanović

     My paper will primarily address the issue of the endangered agricultural sector in Serbia. Through a policy proposal based on the exchange of experts in this field, both in Serbia and the United States, I will provide solutions for the modernization of Serbian agriculture, the strengthening of this sector, as well as the enhancement of Serbian-American relations through direct engagement and cultural exchange between the citizens of the two countries. Culture is a crucial aspect of this exchange, as I believe there is no better way to strengthen mutual relations than through direct, personal contact. Although it may not seem obvious at first, the agricultural sectors of Serbia and the U.S. share significant similarities, such as the types of crops grown, the average farm size, the age of the average farmer, and the climate, which are precisely the strongest advantages of such an exchange. For the purposes of this paper, I will use the Chicago citation style.

3. Learning from the Best: How to bring American Investment Culture and Entrepreneurial Spirit to Serbia
Sava Malinović

This paper examines the structural challenges of the Serbian economy and explores the potential of selectively adopting the American model of entrepreneurship and investment as a pathway toward sustainable growth. It begins with a historical overview of Serbia’s economic trajectory, from its socialist legacy and the crises of the 1990s to the flawed privatization processes of the early 2000s. The analysis highlights enduring weaknesses, including reliance on subsidized foreign investment, low-skill employment, and extractive industries such as mining. In contrast, examples from high-value sectors—such as ICT and advanced manufacturing—demonstrate both the potential and the fragility of Serbia’s current development model. The paper then turns to the United States, presenting its entrepreneurial culture, dynamic investment flows, and supportive institutional framework as global benchmarks. Case studies from Silicon Valley and U.S. universities illustrate how risk-taking, venture capital, and university–industry linkages foster innovation and generate high-value economic outcomes. Drawing on these insights, the study offers tailored recommendations for Serbian policymakers, large enterprises, and small entrepreneurs: from targeted tax policy and education reform, to capital-market development and deeper integration with the U.S. economy. The findings suggest that unless Serbia strengthens its entrepreneurial capacity, improves capital allocation, and expands its human capital base, it risks remaining locked in low-value-added activities, effectively functioning as a “mining colony.” By contrast, adapting elements of the American model could help Serbia pursue innovation-driven growth, enhance competitiveness, and anchor itself more securely within global economic networks. This work employs Chicago style notation for citations and references.

Culture & Ideas

1. Overlooked Perspectives: Examining Native American Philosophies to Shape a Sustainable Future for the Balkans
Petar Isailović

Native American philosophies and ecological practices have shaped the modern United States in ways that are often overlooked. As Serbia looks to increase trans-Atlantic dialogue with the United States, it can draw on these philosophies as culturally adaptable frameworks for addressing environmental challenges in Serbia and the broader Balkan region. Facing deforestation, industrial pollution, and climate-related pressures, Balkan ecosystems require approaches that go beyond conventional technological and regulatory solutions. Drawing on historical and contemporary Indigenous knowledge, this paper highlights principles such as controlled burns, holistic habitat restoration, the Seventh Generation Principle, and negotiation guided by gratitude. Using qualitative analysis of historical records, ecological studies, and cultural texts, the research traces the enduring relevance of these practices despite centuries of suppression and environmental exploitation. The findings suggest that Indigenous methods offer not only practical ecological benefits but also long-term social and economic advantages, emphasizing reciprocity, interdependence, and the well-being of future generations. Additionally, the paper explores linguistic and cultural insights embedded in Native American worldviews, illustrating how relational and verb-focused languages encode respect for living systems and promote ethical engagement with the environment. By considering these perspectives, Serbia can reimagine development beyond immediate economic gains, integrating sustainable land management, biodiversity preservation, and culturally informed negotiation strategies to support ecological resilience and overall well-being. This work was written using MLA citations.

2. Cinematic diplomacy: Leveraging film as a soft power tool to strengthen US-Serbia ties
Sara Petijević

In a world that is both interconnected and fragmented, currents of soft power are changing the flow of diplomacy. Prior to the existence of the modern state system, order and influence were not only imposed by force and conquest, but through shared norms, cultural narratives, and institutional cohesion - early forms of what we might nowadays understand as soft power. Just as empires historically themselves(China and Rome) depended on both hard and soft power, today’s global actors turn to cultural instruments - cinema chief among them, to foster international image and promote national values across borders. Can the universal language of film provide an accessible means for an emerging country such as Serbia to toughen its bonds and bolster its presence on the transatlantic stage? This paper delves into the transformative potential of cinema, exploring how film can enhance relations between Serbia and the United States of America beyond traditional economic and political dimensions. Further draws on the lasting impact of cultural exchange to argue that focused investment in film festivals, co-production incentives, and educational programs can greatly strengthen cultural relationships, promote democratic ideals, and nurture more vibrant transatlantic dialogue. The analysis explores how platforms such as Belgrade FEST bring back optimism to the Balkans and Western world, which was not so long ago replaced by anger and resentment. Moreover investigates several key questions: What strategies can be employed to encourage US-Serbia film projects that express shared stories and principles? In what way can movie festivals function as crucial cultural links connecting people? How can film-centered educational approaches become more effective in empowering democratic awareness among youth? And lastly, what policy measures are needed to facilitate the full power of film as a means of public diplomacy?