Birkbeck Joins Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies at UK–Ukraine Twinning Conference
The conference was part of ‘Ukrainian Week in the United Kingdom’ taking place across the country.
University leaders, policymakers and cultural partners gathered at Birkbeck on 13 November to celebrate and strengthen UK–Ukraine higher education collaboration at the Twinning Conference and Reception.
Held at Birkbeck’s Clore Management Centre, the conference showcased the achievements of UK–Ukraine university twinning partnerships and highlighted opportunities for future cooperation. The morning programme, moderated by Charles Cormack, Chairman of Cormack Consultancy Group, and Professor Sally Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor of Birkbeck, featured keynote remarks from UK and Ukrainian representatives, as well as TED-style talks from twinning partners sharing their successes and lessons learned.
Speakers from organisations including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the British Council, Universities UK, and Mosaik explored how global cooperation can continue to support Ukraine’s resilience. Delegates also took part in an interactive discussion on the meaning and impact of twinning, followed by a presentation on the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies.
Afternoon roundtables led by scholars from Birkbeck, Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, University of Warwick, Durham University and the Ukrainian Institute London examined Ukrainian history, civil society and the role of culture in national security.
The day concluded with an official reception at Senate House marking the penultimate day of ‘Ukrainian Week in the United Kingdom’. As well as the signing of Memorandums of Cooperation the reception included a musical performance, a networking reception, and was attended by the Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Andrii Sybiha.
At the reception, Professor Sally Wheeler signed the Memorandum of Cooperation, formally admitting Birkbeck as a member of the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies. This recognises the prescient work of Birkbeck academics in Law, Theatre Studies, Film and Media, and History. Membership of the Global Coalition also connects Birkbeck to a network of international universities, research organisations, libraries and archives, enhancing research and teaching on Ukrainian topics and facilitating new opportunities for international collaboration.
Birkbeck is proud to have supported Ukrainian Week and to play a central role in advancing international academic and cultural partnerships.