News

Meeting of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy community with Natalia Khanenko-Friesen, Director of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Alberta

Details

Published on Monday, 14 April 2025 16:25

MA Museum hosted a meeting of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy community with Natalia Khanenko-Friesen, Director of the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Alberta, PhD, anthropologist, — ‘“Between Science and (Geo)Politics: Canadian Ukrainian Studies and the Challenges of Wartime”.

The event brought together professors, students, researchers, NaUKMA alumni, and all those interested in the development of Ukrainian studies outside of Ukraine and the current challenges facing Ukrainian studies in the context of the Russian-Ukrainian full-scale war. The lecture was a kind of dialogue on how Canadian Ukrainian studies over the past almost fifty years have not only shaped the perception of Ukraine in North America, but also influenced the direction of global humanities.

The speaker drew attention to the question of how the current Russian war against Ukraine is transforming academic practices and forcing a new way of thinking about methodologies, topics, and approaches to the study of the Ukrainian experience.

The talk ended with a question and answer session, where participants had the opportunity to talk to the lecturer personally and ask questions about the practical and ethical dimensions of academic work in times of large-scale social challenges.

The event was moderated by Olha Poliukhovych, Vice President for Research and Academic Affairs at NaUKMA.

“Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops, I have been coming to Ukraine more often. After all, CIUS, as well as many colleagues in Ukraine, has faced new challenges and needs that have prompted us to look for new forms of cooperation. In particular, I am proud that our universities signed a memorandum of cooperation between NaUKMA and the University of Alberta on the second anniversary of the beginning of the full-scale war, with the participation and presence of the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska.

Now it is extremely important for me to actively communicate and cooperate with Ukrainian partners, academics, researchers, and university administrations. But it is important to remember that, first and foremost, all this work is aimed at supporting our talented youth, students who will rebuild a victorious Ukraine with their bright minds and strategic actions.

I am grateful to the leadership of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy for the opportunity to communicate with such ambitious, thoughtful students, who are precisely the Academy's best asset. Your attention to Ukrainian studies, dedication to learning and science are very inspiring, dear students. Your profound and meaningful questions during the meeting confirmed that both NaUKMA and CIUS were right in their strategic choice of cooperation. See you in the next productive meetings,” Natalia Khanenko-Friesen shared her impressions of the meeting with the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy community.