Conference on Ukraine’s Reconstruction in Research and Higher Education

Over the past eleven years, Ukraine has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of ongoing Russian aggression. Since the full-scale invasion in 2022, the country has had to redirect much of its focus and resources toward defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. These challenges have profoundly affected the development of Ukraine’s research and innovation (R&I) ecosystem. As neighbouring EU countries, we share a collective responsibility to support the revitalisation of Ukraine’s structures.

Organised within the project RIFF, this conference seeks to foster meaningful collaboration not only between European and Ukrainian academic communities but also among Ukrainian stakeholders themselves. It is designed for a variety of actors, including researchers, policymakers, and funders. Besides offering fruitful panel discussions, the event will serve as a networking platform intended to lay the groundwork for concrete action aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s R&I landscape.

The program will feature a series of panel discussions with distinguished speakers and presentations focusing on:

• The reconstruction of Ukraine’s research and higher education systems, including research infrastructures
• Showcasing international support initiatives, highlighting contributions from the EU, individual member states, and third countries such as the UK and Switzerland