Feature: Meet the Ukrainian scholars supported by UCL’s Academic Fellowship Scheme

The flag of Ukraine - Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in March 2022, UCL established a scheme to help fund and host displaced Ukrainian scholars, opening its doors to academics who were no longer safe in their home institutions. Building on a long-standing partnership with the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA), UCL set up the Ukraine Academic Fellowship Scheme to support Ukrainian academics and host them at UCL. The aim is to provide help where it is needed while maintaining close ties with the region's scholars and institutions as well as expanding UCL's own research and cultural base, alongside further plans to support at-risk academics from other regions as well. The scheme was launched by a donation from the Victor Pinchuk Foundation, which was then match funded by UCL and has since attracted additional support including from the Lord Randolph Quirk Endowment Fund. UCL has a long history of academic partnership with Ukraine. UCL researchers have co-published more than 200 papers with almost 60 Ukrainian partners over the last five years and have academic links in a range of fields. The UCL School of Slavonic & East European Studies (SSEES) has particularly strong connections with Ukraine.