In the two years since the sinister russian invasion, researchers have been setting up initiatives to preserve science in Ukraine. Organizations such as Science at Risk have been documenting the damage that has been done to Ukrainian science and looking at how responses to future crises can be more effective, and volunteer-run #ScienceForUkraine is enriching Ukrainian science with its worldwide network of branches offering mentorship pairings and opportunities for research collaborations.
The UK-Ukraine Twinning initiative is a collaborative effort to support Ukrainian science in the wake of russia’s invasion. Spearheaded by the Cormack Consultancy Group in Edinburgh, the initiative pairs over 100 UK and Ukrainian institutions, fostering long-term collaboration. Key activities include co-mentoring schemes that connect researchers for support in publishing, applying for funding, and networking. The initiative also focuses on rebuilding Ukraine’s scientific infrastructure, as seen in the University of Sheffield’s partnership with Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, which began with a contribution to help rebuild campus air raid shelters and evolved into deeper research cooperation.
#ScienceForUkraine complements these efforts by coordinating global support and connecting displaced scientists with opportunities abroad, but the Twinning initiative emphasizes preserving connections for those still in Ukraine. Researchers receive mentoring, access to international networks, and the knowledge needed to rebuild their scientific careers after the war. Igor Potapov, who leads the UK branch, plans to scale the mentorship program, helping Ukrainian scientists remain active participants in the global research community while rebuilding their nation’s science.
The initiative serves as a model for international science solidarity, drawing attention to the challenges of sustaining academic careers amid war. By harnessing partnerships between UK and Ukrainian institutions, and engaging displaced researchers through initiatives like Ukrainian Science Diaspora, the initiative is shaping the long-term recovery of Ukraine’s scientific infrastructure, while emphasizing that rebuilding science requires both physical and intellectual support.