Elis Vllasi, Ph.D., is an expert in analyzing complex challenges emanating in the grey zone as a result of influence operations, information warfare, social media weaponization, and emerging and disruptive technologies. He is the founder and director of the Hybrid Warfare Student Competition. Elis is currently a Senior Research Associate and Lecturer at the Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs, Baker School, University of Tennessee. A civil and environmental engineer with a Ph.D. in political science from Purdue University, Vllasi bridges social sciences and STEM to tackle problems using tailored approaches combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. An experienced entrepreneur in academic programming and project manager, with a record of interfacing with government officials (USA, Canada, Kosovo), private industry, and academia, he has led projects and managed research teams in industry and academia.
His current research interests involve examining Chinese and Russian grey zone (hybrid) warfare strategies and tactics. As a Fulbright Fellow, he conducted a pilot study examining Russia’s influence in Kosovo.
Vllasi is an experienced and award-winning university instructor who has taught numerous courses on International Relations and Security. He speaks fluent Albanian and Serbian and is experienced and adept at working in intercultural environments.