A world-renowned expert on the Balkans has been appointed as a UK representative on a think tank created to foster stability, democratic process and reconciliation within the Western Balkans.
Professor Kenneth Morrison, Director of the Institute of Global Challenges and Cultures at De Montfort University (DMU) Leicester, will join up with former Prime Ministers, Defence Ministers, senior politicians, academics and policy advisors from Europe and the US as part of WestBalkanNet (WBN).
Based in Montenegro, the group was created as a consultancy and regional forum of experts with a common agenda of promoting EU practices, values, and achievements.
Professor Morrison’s role will focus on promoting dialogue between countries, strengthening the UK’s links with the region, and contributing to the network’s efforts to counter rising nationalism and disinformation in local media spaces.
Professor Morrison said: “I’m delighted to be joining the WBN and the impressive group of international scholars, regional experts, and policymakers that are part of the team.
“At a time of geopolitical flux and instability, which has significantly impacted on the countries of the Western Balkans, informed voices framing and leading constructive, values-led debates are more important than ever. It also demonstrates that the work being conducted within the Institute of Global Challenges and Cultures is indeed both global and significant.”
Professor Morrison is one of the leading figures on modern Western Balkan history, writing seven books and having worked as a specialist adviser to the House of Lords International Relations Committee as well as an external research analyst for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
His 2025 book Montenegro and Serbia: a Velvet Divorce?, which he co-wrote with the former Montenegrin and Yugoslav diplomat, Professor Vesko Garčević, is the first comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the two Balkan countries from the 1980s to the present day.
He will be joined by Professor Jasna Dragović Soso as the UK’s representatives within the group.
The pair’s appointment marks the UK’s first formal involvement within the WBN since it started last year, joining a select number of nations outside the Balkans, including the United States, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Professor Morrison added: “The UK is uniquely placed to act as a critical friend – we are outside the EU integration process but we retain significant influence in the region. At a time of heightened tension, it is vital that we work to consolidate democracy, encourage reconciliation, and provide clear, evidence-based analysis.”
Professor Bojan Batričević, the Executive Director of the WBN said: “It’s my great honour and pleasure that Professor Kenneth Morrison serves as one of the representatives of our organisation.
“He has a rich personal and academic background that clearly demonstrates his exceptional expertise and many years of experience in fields that are of crucial importance to our work. We believe that his contribution will further strengthen the mission of WestBalkanNet and advance our shared goal of building a democratic and reconciled society in our region.”
DMU’s Institute of Global Challenges and Cultures was officially launched in 2025 and places the university at the forefront of tackling global challenges and delivering real-world impact.
Professor Morrison is continuing to bring together stakeholders in advance of the 2025 Western Balkans Summit, which is being hosted by the UK in October. He is also due to speak at a conference of the Atlantic Council in Montenegro during the same month.
Posted on Wednesday 10 September 2025