Academic Cooperation
Strengthening Academic Ties in Times of Crisis
The Academic Collaboration Programme
The LinkUA project aims to enhance and expand research opportunities for Ukrainian academics through several key pilot initiatives: Research Catapult, Research Incubator and Academic Booster. Our initiative is focused on countering academic isolation by creating structured, long-term pathways for Ukrainian academics to remain active, visible, and supported in global research networks. We help to retain the research capacity necessary for national reconstruction.
Why should we care about Ukrainian science? Ukraine has a long-standing tradition of scientific and educational excellence. It is the birthplace of globally recognised research institutions in mathematics, physics, engineering, and medicine and pioneering contributions, like the development of continental Europe’s first electronic computer and advances in quantum theory and cybernetics. Academics in Ukraine face disrupted education, diminished research capacity, and limited international engagement. Investing in Ukraine’s scientific sector is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic opportunity to unlock this untapped potential, supporting the regeneration of a knowledge-based economy with uniquely capable partners.
What’s needed? The academic excellence of Ukraine is under threat as the generation of scholars and knowledge in Ukraine could be lost — not from lack of talent, but from lack of sustained financial support for Ukrainian research organisations. Immediate action is essential to retain Ukraine’s academic capital and prevent permanent disconnection from international science and education ecosystems. The war and underfunding provoke a drift of the young generation from academic employment to a more vibrant industrial sector. While the academic community can still remain productive, it is impossible to maintain a strong intellectual foundation and a culture of innovation without ongoing support.
What’s the urgency? LinkUA initiative is focused on countering academic isolation by creating structured, long-term pathways for Ukrainian academics to remain active, visible, and supported in global research networks. We help to retain the research capacity necessary for national reconstruction. LinkUA is at a critical inflection point. In just two years, we have delivered tangible, high-impact results, securing over £1M in external funding (UKRI and donations) and developing a scalable, collaborative academic model. With timely support in the coming months, we can transform current momentum into long-term impact, securing strategic opportunities and ensuring that the next academic year is even more ambitious and inclusive.
What impact will it have on UK students, academics, and institutions? UK academics benefit from international collaboration, new research directions, joint publications, and access to real-world case studies, particularly in digital, legal, health, and environmental disciplines. UK students engage with global peers and conflict-context research, enriching their education. UK institutions demonstrate leadership in supporting democratic values and international research solidarity, reinforcing their global impact.
Research twinning between the University of Liverpool and Sumy State University
The University of Liverpool (UoL) and Sumy State University (SumDU) have been twinned since June 18, 2022, under a five-year project “Co-supervision Research Fellowship Program”. The initiative is also coordinated by Cormack Consultancy Group with the support of Universities UK International, the President of Ukraine’s Fund for Education, Science, and Sports, and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, fostering academic collaboration through:
- Joint research initiatives
- Faculty and student exchanges
- Visiting scholar activities
- Co-supervision of PhD Students and Post-Doctoral Researchers
Despite the war’s challenges, this partnership remains a pillar of educational resilience and knowledge-sharing. SumDU is Ukraine’s #1 university in Physical Sciences, Social Sciences, Business & Economics, and Engineering, with a top ranking in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for its impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Impact & Achievements
- 18 SumDU researchers took part on UoL campus and 30 researchers took part online in the program "Collaboration for Digitalisation and Digital Transformation of Ukraine" in 2023
- 29 Ukrainian researchers visited UoL in 2024, establishing collaborations across multiple schools and departments.
- New research themes, joint publications, and funding applications are actively developed.
- A dedicated PhD co-supervision programme provides critical support for Ukrainian doctoral candidates and Habilitation students.
Get Involved
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UK-based academics – Expand your research network by collaborating with top Ukrainian scholars.
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Ukrainian researchers – Access world-class expertise and co-develop impactful projects.
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International organizations – Support a successful model of academic resilience and cooperation.
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