Russian and Ukrainian Societies in the time of War: State, Civil Society, Exile

Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, shocked Europe and the whole world. Two years of brutal military conflict have led to significant changes in the political and social landscapes of both countries. Ukrainian society continues to demonstrate resilience, mobilisation, and unwavering commitment to progressive democratic values. However, contradictions and ruptures are beginning to emerge in Ukraine, once united in resistance to the invasion. Meanwhile, the Russian regime has solidified its grip as a dictatorship of fear, intensifying repression and suppressing any internal dissent.

The lecture series “Prspectiven der Moderne 2024” invites to discuss transformations in Russian and Ukrainian state and society, focusing on both internal and external aspects.  Experts will explore societal dynamics, government reactions, and new visions for the future in both countries in their presentations. Additionally, the war led to significant changes in Germany and across the European continent, our lecture series will expand understanding of the war's consequences for German and European socio-political landscapes and regional stability.

Winter School "The History and Future of Research in Exile" & Public Events | 22.01.2024 - 25.01.2024

From January 22 to 25, 2024, a winter school on “The History and Future of

Research in Exile” will take place at the University of Bonn and the University of Cologne. The fellows of the CBA as well as invited speakers will present and discuss their projects and visions from their specific key areas.

The interested public is invited to attend the public key lectures:

January 22, 2024

Bonner Universitätsforum, Heussallee 18-24, 53113 Bonn

11:30 am Prof. Werner Gephart & Dr. Daria Vystavkina: Science in Exile: Some Ambivalences of a Stranger in Society

4:15 pm Dr. Juergen Warmbrunn (Herder Institute for Historical Research on East Central Europe - Institute of the Leibniz Association)

From the Baltic Sea to the Marburg Castle Hill - Baltic Exile Collections in the Herder Institute as both academic resources and places of memory

January 25, 2024

International House, Kringsweg 6, 50937 Köln 

2:15 pm: Dr. Kateryna Kobchenko (University of Münster)

Ukrainian Displaced Persons after the World War II: Historical Experience of a Mass(e)Migration

4:15 pm: Key lecture and panel debate with Dr. Irina Scherbakova (Founding member of Russian Human Rights Organisation Memorial, Nobel Peace Prize co-Laureate 2022) on

The Future of Research in Exile

Please register until January, 17 via cb-academy@uni-bonn.de, cb-academy@uni-koeln.de

Ukraine Days NRW at the University of Duisburg-Essen, 29. – 28. September 2023 of the German-Ukrainian Academic Society (DUAG) & the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

On September 28 and 29, the University of Duisburg-Essen and the German-Ukrainian Academic Society (DUAG) with the support of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) hosted the “Days of Ukraine in North-Rhine Westphalia 2023” in Essen. The Advisor to the Vice Rector for International Affairs of the University of Bonn, Amanda Henson, attended the two-day conference as a representative of the Cologne/Bonn Academy in Exile (CBA). The CBA was represented among the poster presentations and the connection of two of our Ukrainian CBA fellows, Professor Dr. Iryna Petrova and Professor Dr. Daria Vystavkina, to DUAG activities was also recognised. With talks from representatives of the DUAG, DAAD, universities in NRW, as well as universities and civil society organizations in Ukraine on numerous collaborative academic projects in research, learning and teaching; not only on the scientific level, but also in higher education administration, our advisor walked away with a better understanding of the bi-national project and funding landscape. The attendance of the conference – which also included a speech from the Consul General of Ukraine in Düsseldorf, Iryna Shum, and a musical performance from the folk music trio from Donetsk, Dyvyna, as well as ample opportunities for networking with researchers and representatives of various organizations – certainly enriched the foundational knowledge the Academy needs to progress in its work.