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

Check out the Lecture Series for Summer Semester 2026!

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New Course Catalogue for the Sommer Semester 2026 has arrived!

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Discover our latest publications!

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Fresh interviews available!

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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

26. March 2026

The new Ukraine Lecture Series for Summer Semester 2026 is here!

Minorities, nationalities, and identities constitute a vital element of Ukraine’s social and cultural fabric. The country comprises more than 100 ethnic groups, numerous national minorities, and three officially recognised indigenous peoples. Communities such as Crimean Tatars, Roma and Sinti, Hungarians, Romanians, and Jews contribute significantly to Ukraine’s multilingual and multicultural landscape. More details...

Upcoming Courses: Summer Semester 2026

New Ukraine-related courses at the Europa-Universität Viadrina, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, and the Freie-Universität Berlin. We are excited to announce a new series of lectures and specialized courses focusing on Ukraine at the EUV, HU, and FU. These courses cover a wide range of topics, including Ukrainian language, literature, political history, and media analysis, offering students a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of Ukraine's rich cultural and political landscape. Ukrainian Language Courses for various proficiency levels are also available, providing learners with the chance to build or strengthen their language skills alongside thematic academic studies. Courses are eligible for the certificate programme ‘Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies’.

New KIU publications!

We are pleased to share several recent publications by Susann Worschech and KIU fellow alumnus Yuriy Matsiyevsky.

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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.

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.

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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".