Igor Biletskyi , Oleksandr Roshal , Hanna Proskura , Iryna Kramarenko , Inna Stepanets , Serhii Hula , Tetiana Mirzodaieva , Diana Hryniuk
This study is based on the experience of preserving science in Ukraine during the armed conflict with Russia that started in 2014 and escalated into a full-scale invasion in 2022. Preserving science during wartime is a comprehensive task, since the structure of challenges is often varied. In particular, it includes:
1. Support of personal physical safety and psycho-emotional stability of scientists.
2. Reintegration and engagement of scientists who have relocated abroad.
3. Preservation of capable scientific teams and vectors, creation of new ones as a response to the challenges of the current times.
4. Development of international scientific cooperation, scientific diplomacy, integration into the European and global scientific space.
5. Preserving research infrastructure (in particular, historical and cultural infrastructure, museum heritage, archives, collections, etc.).
During this research, a series of in-depth semi-structured interviews and an online survey of Ukrainian scientists were conducted. Key recommendations include introducing flexible tools for supporting scientists and science teams, who are mostly in Ukraine and located in various parts of the territory, providing opportunities to continue research and adapt to the situation, creating tools and conditions for development of international partnerships and cooperation with businesses, civil society, local authorities, organizing measures to preserve archives, collections, cultural heritage. Data collection during wartime is also important. Volumes of destroyed and damaged research infrastructure, data on the movement of scientists inside and outside the country, the destruction of scientific groups and partnerships and the formation of new ones — these data will make it possible to make better, informed decisions and monitor their effectiveness, substantiate requests for assistance to international donors and lay the foundation for post-war reconstruction.
As the subject of preserving science is further studied, more attention should be paid to studying international experience of the science sector responding to armed conflicts, as well as natural and man-made disasters. Analyzing activities of networks of international actors focused on helping scientists in danger can provide more data about long-term consequences and best strategies for providing aid.
These recommendations can be useful for specialists who develop and implement the national policy in the science sector, for national and international agencies financing scientific research, for scholars who study the impact of armed conflicts on the science sector, and for everyone interested.