Jelena Vidojević

Jelena Vidojević is the Co-Founder of the New South Institute (NSI) and the head of its South-South Dialogue Program.

Before moving to South Africa in 2017, she worked as an Assistant Professor of Social Policy at the University of Belgrade’s Faculty of Political Sciences, where she focused on comparative and global social policy. At NSI, she has continued this work, with a particular emphasis on welfare reforms in South Africa. Her research places strong emphasis on the Universal Basic Income Grant, examining its potential impact and feasibility within the South African context.

In addition, she plays a key role in expanding and developing a programme on South–South dialogues. Her work actively connects South African and broader African policy experiences with those of South America, Asia, and particularly Eastern Europe.

Jelena holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Belgrade and has been a visiting researcher at several prestigious institutions, including the University of Oslo, the University of Cape Town, the University of the Witwatersrand, and the Institute of Advanced Studies in Vienna. She has also received two Open Society Scholars Awards.