Ivona Leskur, MA
Research Trainee
Education
PhD Studies in Sociology
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philosophy
2023 – Ongoing
Master’s Studies in Sociology
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philosophy
2020 – 2023
Master’s Thesis: “Information and Communication Technologies and Urban Sustainable
Development: Implementation of the Smart City Concept in Serbia”
Bachelor’s Studies in Sociology
University of Belgrade, Faculty of Philosophy
2015 – 2020
Areas of Interest
Digital Sociology, Urban Sociology, Sustainable Development, Green Politics, International
Relations
Publications
- Leskur, I. (2024). Digital security in the Indo-Pacific: Assessing the impact of China’s Digital Silk Road. In K. V. Kumar, N. Slama, & M. Das (Eds.), Global Geopolitical Impacts and Dynamics of the Indo-Pacific (pp. 61–82). IGI Global. DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-1690-0.ch003
- Leskur, I. (2024). Security challenges of smart cities: Cybersecurity and data privacy in strategic-legal frameworks from a sociological perspective. In: Marić, J., & Marković, J. (Eds.), Proceedings of the Third Scientific Conference “Urban Security and Urban Development.” University of Belgrade, Faculty of Security Studies and Faculty of Architecture. ISBN 978-86-80144-65-8 https://fb.bg.ac.rs/download/Biblioteka/PosebnaIzdanja/2024-UBUR.pdf
Awards
Embassy of Japan in Serbia and JTI Serbia Award
2021
Recipient of the 10th Sakura Scholarship for the research proposal “Japanese Smart
Cities as a Model for Sustainable Development in Serbia – A Comparative Case Study of
Valjevo and Yokohama”
Ministry of European Integration, Government of the Republic of Serbia Award
2021
Third place in the competition for the best student research papers on the relationship
between Serbia and the EU, with the topic “A Small Step for Man, a Giant Leap for
Mankind: Serbia’s Advantages in Overcoming Pandemic Consequences and Achieving a
Sustainable Future”
Professional Development
Regional School for Political Development Project
April – November 2024
BFPE Foundation for a Responsible Society (Serbia), Academy for Political
Development (Croatia), and Center for Research and Public Policy Creation (North
Macedonia)
Scholarship recipient
Winter School of International Relations
February – March 2024
Institute of International Politics and Economics, Belgrade, Serbia
Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Institute of
International Studies
October – December 2023
Scholarship recipient, “InteRussia Fellowship Programme” in Moscow
Conference Presentations
Third Scientific Conference “Urban Security and Urban Development”
July 1, 2024, Faculty of Architecture, Belgrade
Organizers: Faculty of Architecture and Faculty of Security Studies, University of
Belgrade
Presented research topic: “Security Challenges of Smart Cities – Cybersecurity and Data
Privacy in Strategic-Legal Frameworks from a Sociological Perspective”
Participation in Conferences and Seminars
Engage Advocate Lead: Youth in Civic Action
Silver Lake, Serbia
September 20–22, 2024
Third seminar as part of the Regional School for Political Development project
From Ideas to Action: Insights into Policy Making and Implementation
Skopje, North Macedonia
June 14–16, 2024
Second seminar as part of the Regional School for Political Development project
Balkan Dialogue – 2024
Belgrade, Serbia
June 5–7, 2024
Organizer: Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund
International Forum “Russia and the Balkans: Digital Economy and Development
Technologies”
Belgrade, Serbia
May 20–21, 2024
Organizers: Higher School of Economics, Moscow, and Mathematical Institute of the
Serbian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Political Institutions, Constructive Dialogue, and Green Politics
Tuhelj Spa, Croatia
April 19–21, 2024
First seminar as part of the Regional School for Political Development project
Conference “A Multipolar World: Changes Awaiting Us”
Faculty of Political Science, Belgrade, Serbia
December 10, 2023
V International Conference “The Global Majority in the New Realities: Regional
Dimension”
Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia
November 30 – December 1, 2023
IX International Forum “Primakov Readings” Youth Session
IMEMO Center, Moscow, Russia
November 24–29, 2023
Main topic: “The Decline of Globalization or its New Stage?”
Languages
English (C2 level)
German (B2 level, DAAD Certificate)
Biography
Ivona Leskur is a PhD candidate at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Belgrade. She
completed her Bachelor’s studies in Sociology at the same faculty in 2020, with a GPA of 9.42
and an additional 19 ECTS credits. In the same year, she enrolled in the Master’s program in
Sociology at the University of Belgrade, focusing on sustainable development. She defended her
Master’s thesis on the topic “Information and Communication Technologies and Urban
Sustainable Development: Implementation of the Smart City Concept in Serbia” in 2023 with a
grade of 10. During her undergraduate studies, she was a recipient of scholarships from the
Ministry of Education and the Municipality of Valjevo, as well as the German Academic
Exchange Service (DAAD) for studying the German language in Germany. During her Master’s
studies, she was awarded by the Ministry of European Integration and the Embassy of Japan in
Serbia for the best student research papers. The embassy award also included a study visit to Japan in November 2022. After completing her Master’s studies, she received a scholarship from
the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) for the fall semester of 2023.
During this time, she participated in international conferences and conducted research at the
Institute of International Studies at the mentioned university. She works as a research trainee at
the Institute for European Studies in Belgrade, primarily focusing on topics related to digital and
urban sociology, linking them with international relations and current geopolitical events.