Ukrainian Science Diaspora: connecting scholars for the future

The first conference in June 2022 generated a report with seven key recommendations to support academics, researchers, students, and higher education and science systems affected by conflict. This March as the war unfortunately continues, gaining intensity, we look to highlight the need for ongoing support to the Ukrainian higher education and scientific communities via this conference and associated activities. The conference aimed to mobilize the scientific community to critically examine the surge of protection and support efforts during the past year and assess ways forward for enhanced support and post-conflict reconstruction. 

The first day included a series of plenary and panel sessions around the impact of the war on Ukraine’s higher education and science sector, a review of the 2022 responses to support the sector and reflection on increasing its resilience to crises. Dr. Serhiy Shkarlet, Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science opened the discussions with a keynote speech.

The second and third days of the conference included two focused sessions hosted by partner organizations examining professional development on research management & European integration (organized by Science Europe and the National Research Foundation, Ukraine), and the potential opportunities of scientific diasporas for continued international collaboration (organized by the Council of Young Scientists of Ukraine). Both sessions would be of particular interest for individuals looking to develop their international scientific career and expanding scientific cooperation.