Since 2022, the University of East Anglia is proud to have twinned with the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (PNU). Together we will share hope, ideas, support, resources and expertise.
This collaboration is co-led for UEA by Matthias Neumann (Professor of Modern History) and Karen Blackney (Associate Director Global) and is part of the Universities UK International (UUKi) initiative, showcasing how twinning partnerships between UK and Ukrainian universities are making a positive difference during this humanitarian crisis. Through UUKI, UKRI, XTX and other Government funding, financial support is anticipated, in particular to support joint research, student and academic fellowship, and capacity building between institutions.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate on our research outputs in such a meaningful way and I’m really delighted to be co-leading this initiative. From involving our students in filming the fieldwork, to discussing how soil is impacted in each of our Nations, to supporting start up business, we’re working collectively to solve issues. Having Ukrainian visitors here this summer, and hopefully students next year, will be a great way to deepen our partnership with PNU as we continue to support each other’s research interests.” Karen Blackney, Associate Director UEA Global.
On Friday 2nd September 2022, our University Presidents – at the time being Prof David Richardson (UEA) and Prof Ihor Tsependa (PNU) - convened online to further develop this new partnership. Since then, UEA and PNU have been active in establishing research collaborations, and opportunities for student and staff mobility.
We began our partnership during autumn 2022, with discussions taking place over several weeks, leading towards a collaborative research symposium taking place on Wednesday 14th December 2022. These focussed on the three key areas of (1) Science and health: climate change, environmental science, aging; (2) Humanities: cultural studies, creative writing, history; and (3) Social Sciences: economics, public policy and political science. Close to 200 academic staff from each university attended the online symposium, joining these thematic discussions and drawing in each university’s research themes - from meeting the needs of an ageing population to understanding the unique and fragile environments we live in. During these discussions, we discovered mutual research interest and an appetite for future research collaboration.
In March 2023, UEA learnt of the successful outcome of our bid to Universities UK International, a competitive scheme supporting UK universities to in the delivery of the institutions’ strategic objectives as they relate to research and innovation. The funding allows institutions to scale up and sustain their commitment to supporting their Ukrainian partners. This £131,022 grant enables a group of 17 PNU professors to travel to the UK for an intensive programme of research discussions and fieldwork. The group will join us in Norwich from 10th to 24th June 2023, engaging in a range of explorative, networking and
culture activities around their research pathways. These have been fine-tuned from December’s symposium to suit those visiting, and will cover Enterprise and Innovation (convened by Finbarr Carter (RIN)), Journalism (convened by Eylem Atakav and Clare Preacy (HUM)), and Contaminated Land (convened by Brian Reid and Yaroslav Khimyak (SCI).
In May 2023, we submit a second bid to XTX for further funding to support a student delegation visit UEA during 2024 for an enriching and engaging programme of research collaborations.
Further updates, including the outcome of the second bid and outputs from June’s academic research programme, will be announced in due course.
In the meantime, for more information about the overarching project please contact the Academic Lead Matthias Neumann. For information relating to June 2023’s Ukrainian visiting delegation please contact the Project Director Alexandra Cole.