Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies Frankfurt (Oder) – Berlin (KIU) • European University Viadrina

KIU at Café Kyiv 2026!

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About

The KIU competence network is a four-year DAAD-funded project to strengthen Ukraine-related research, teaching, networking and transfer activities. The competence network, initiated and led by the European University Viadrina, includes the ZOiS, the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, the Freie Universität Berlin, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the Wissenschaftskolleg Berlin.

KIU – Competence Network for Interdisciplinary Ukraine Studies Frankfurt (Oder)-Berlin, led by the European University Viadrina, and the ‘Denkraum Ukraine’ Regensburg are the two Ukraine Centers in Germany funded by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). Together, they are working on building Ukraine-related academic research and teaching, disseminating Ukraine expertise in politics, academia, media, and civil society, as well as promoting a Europe-wide dialogue with Ukraine.

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News

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Introducing Our Guest Professor for the Summer Semester 2026: Oksana Mikheieva

In the upcoming summer semester, we are pleased to welcome Professor of Sociology Oksana Mikheieva as a guest professor in our programme. Professor Mikheieva teaches at our partner institution, the Kyiv School of Economics. During the Summer Semester 2026, she will offer two courses addressing the topics of Soviet totalitarianism and occupation zones in Ukraine. Her research focuses on various aspects of migration processes related to war and forced displacement, with particular attention to the social consequences of conflict and displacement. More details...

10. March 2026

New publication: ‘Aktivismus im Krieg: Entwicklung und Handlungsrepertoires der ukrainischen Zivilgesellschaft seit 2022’ - Susann Worschech

This essay examines how Ukrainian civil society has developed since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war of aggression. Taking as starting point the history of Ukrainian civil society in the context of the three revolutionary cycles as well as drawing on the analytical concept of resilience, the text addresses the question how Ukrainian civil society can uphold the classic functions of securing democratic norms, building a sense of community, and producing abstract solidarity while contributing towards transformative resilience. Six directions in which Ukrainian civil society has developed are identified, all of which relate specifically to the war in terms of their emergence and impact. The analysis highlights how Ukrainian civil society has actively been ‘doing resilience’ during the war and thus making its mark on society beyond the war itself.

03. March 2026

Photo exhibition on destroyed cultural heritage in Ukraine

Churches, museums, theatres, monuments, libraries - hundreds of cultural heritage sites have been damaged by Russia's war against Ukraine over the past four years. The photo exhibition "War destroys monuments: consequences of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine", which is currently on display in Viadrina's Main Building, gives an impression of the attacks on Ukraine's cultural heritage. Renata Hanynets organised the exhibition at Viadrina. The doctoral student in the Chair of Historic Preservation is offering a guided tour of the exhibition in English on Wednesday 18 March at 4.00 pm. Registration is not necessary.

Welcome to the New KIU Fellows – Spring Semester 2026

In April, we welcome 18 new Fellows selected out of over 70 applications. Under the new KIU semester theme 'Nationalities, Minorities and Identity: (Re)Configuring Ukraine?', they will spend the coming months pursuing their individual research projects.The new Fellows will conduct their research both on-site in Frankfurt (Oder) and as Sur-place Fellows based in Ukraine.

26. February 2026

Elections in Ukraine?

Zelenskyi has expressed an openness to holding elections in Ukraine, provided that appropriate security guarantees are in place. In the new KIU format ‘To the Point’, political scientist Oleksiy Haran and public opinion researcher Inna Volosevych assess the latest developments.

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24. February 2026

‘The political processes are also mined’ - KIU doctoral student Anastasia Rodi researches Ukrainian democracy during the war

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago, the whole country has been at war. How do current restrictions, for example on parliament and the media, determine post-war democracy? Anastasia Rodi, KIU PhD student, speaks about her research.

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Fellowships and Study

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Fellowships

The KIU Research Fellowship in Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies supports innovative and significant research on topics related to Ukraine.

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Study

The KIU Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies Frankfurt (Oder) – Berlin offers various programmes. Among them is its first Summer School on "War in Ukraine: Destruction of heritage – mastering legacy".