Ahead of the Lviv Academic Bridge 2026: Ukraine–U.S. Science & Education Forum, taking place on June 11–12 at APP, we are publishing a conversation with Oleksandr Berezko — the forum's coordinator, Associate Professor at the Department of Social Communications and Information Activities, Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences, APP. Oleksandr also coordinates a number of international projects and initiatives in open science and research system quality assurance, and is a former President of Eurodoc — the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers — a role through which he gained experience working at the pan-European level.
Ukrainian Week is a significant effort to consolidate the Ukrainian diaspora for the advocacy of Ukraine's interests and the strengthening of its agency in the United States, as Washington increasingly seeks structured cooperation with partner countries through organized diaspora communities. Ukrainian Week hosts numerous thematic events, including forums. Last year saw the first Science and Education Forum, organized by Olga Romanenko — a Kyiv-based scholar and civic leader — which sparked strong public interest. Oleksandr Berezko participated online as an invited guest. This year, he was able to attend in person. Rector of APP Nataliya Shakhovska also participated remotely and is expected to attend in person in 2027.
"The main distinction of the current stage of Ukraine–U.S. scientific partnership lies in a gradual shift from the position of aid recipient to that of an equal co-creator. This is about building genuine agency. Ukraine has something to offer the world — in particular, the unique experience gained during crisis and war. Educational and scientific systems under extreme conditions accumulate knowledge that cannot be replicated elsewhere. That is why it is important to build mutually beneficial relationships not only with the United States, but with other countries as well," Oleksandr Berezko explained.
The scholar is convinced that in today's realities, intellectual capital is regarded as a component of national security — because war is not only about weapons, but also about the resilience of systems. Quality science underpins the effectiveness of the state, enabling evidence-based decision-making. Countries that face constant threats, such as South Korea and Israel, invest over 5–7% of GDP in science and education. This demonstrates an understanding of the role of science in ensuring national effectiveness.
"The United States is increasingly willing to see Ukraine as an equal partner when the Ukrainian side comes with concrete proposals for joint action, rather than solely with requests for financial support. At the beginning of the full-scale war, there was essentially no choice, but as experience and knowledge have accumulated, cooperation has increasingly shifted toward mutual benefit. The Ukrainian scientific system — including APP and individual scholars — is capable of offering American partners a great deal of value," Oleksandr Berezko emphasized.
Oleksandr Berezko also stressed that to ensure the sustainability of partnerships, regardless of political cycles, mechanisms are needed that outlast specific governments. This means creating joint institutions, laboratories, grant programs, research consortia, and shared publishing platforms. Even partial co-financing from the Ukrainian side is an important investment in the future. Equally, personal connections and networks of interpersonal relationships play a key role in sustaining cooperation despite any political changes.
"Regarding the state's immediate priorities for ensuring quality education during wartime, the first concern is security — the basic condition for any system to function. But alongside security, it is essential to focus on the quality of education and on clearly defining the strategic direction of development. Any system becomes fully functional only when it has a defined purpose and a sense of its forward trajectory," he underscored.
Speaking about the prospects of return or integration of Ukrainian scholars working abroad, Oleksandr Berezko noted the extraordinary complexity of the issue.
"There is no single universal answer at this point. It is important to study the experience of countries that effectively cooperate with their diaspora and expatriates — Ireland and China, for example. Considered decisions and policies are needed — ones that unite Ukrainians rather than divide them. Ukrainian scholars work around the world, maintaining professional ties to their homeland, and this should be seen as a resource for development, not as a loss. Such scholars are no longer formally employed by their home institutions — and this is not just a question for one university. It would be good to see instruments of dual affiliation — sustained cooperation between Ukrainian universities and those scholars who, for various reasons, cannot currently work in Ukraine. We need to find common ground and formats for collaboration," the scholar emphasized.
In Oleksandr Berezko's view, an important initiative worth developing is the Ukrainian Science Diaspora — an initiative supported by the Ministry of Education and Science, which aims to activate cooperation with scholars abroad. Quick solutions to complex problems rarely exist, but what matters most is political will and the readiness of specific individuals to work in this direction.
"In Ukraine's post-war economic transformation, the role of universities must be a leading one. Beyond their traditional function of training the next generation of professionals, universities — especially technical ones — should become centers for development and hubs for generating new ideas, both technological and humanitarian, and for their implementation," he added.
An important step has been Ukraine's move toward evaluating science not only by bibliometric indicators, but also by the real-world impact of research. This encourages the academic community to think in terms of impact from the very planning stages of research — to embed the potential for practical results from the outset. Universities as laboratories, forums, spaces for discussion, for seeking meaning, for technological solutions and their piloting — this is a serious resource for Ukraine, one that must be fully utilized.
Speaking about lessons from the American experience, Oleksandr Berezko stressed that the development trajectories of the two countries differ significantly. Yet the concept of the "American dream" — the idea of self-realization, freedom, and personal responsibility — is worth reflecting on. It is precisely this sense of agency that Ukraine sometimes lacks. The Soviet mentality, still transmitted to some degree between generations, weakened the sense of personal responsibility. By contrast, maximal agency is a defining feature of American culture, from business to academia. While it sometimes manifests in extreme forms, today the American economy remains one of the most powerful in the world. The lesson is to learn from others without losing one's own identity — and to look at the world with open eyes.
"Open science is not an end in itself or a Holy Grail — it is a tool for ensuring the quality and credibility of the scientific process. It is about strengthening trust in scientists and their results. In an era of post-truth, mass disinformation campaigns amplified by artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and information overload, it is especially important to rely on verified knowledge. Generating content has become extraordinarily easy, but trust is built through the openness of methods, data, and approaches. When a scientific system declares: 'Don't just trust us — verify us,' and provides access to data, materials, and methodology, then the voice of a country becomes one that can be trusted. The ability to trust is becoming a new currency in international relations. At the same time, openness does not mean full disclosure of all technologies or sensitive information. The pragmatic principle can be formulated as: as open as possible, as closed as necessary. Through the dissemination of quality, verified knowledge and the development of open collaboration where permissible, Ukraine can significantly strengthen its position in science diplomacy," Oleksandr Berezko explained.
The scholar also stressed that if a country at war fails to ensure transparency of scientific processes, there is a risk of losing trust in research results and in the system itself. Yet the protection of sensitive data is mandatory. The approach must be pragmatic: maintain openness where it does not compromise security, while ensuring that internal procedures, tools, and standards meet the requirements of quality scientific practice. This is not about showing all your cards — it is about ensuring trust in the result.
On the question of how ready Ukraine's regulatory framework is for implementing immediate open access standards, Oleksandr Berezko noted a strong parallel with the so-called Nelson Memo, adopted in August 2022 in the United States.
"Already in October of the same year, Ukraine adopted its national open science plan. It could have been adopted even earlier if not for the full-scale war. This shows that Ukraine is moving in the same direction as the United States and other progressive countries. Open access is the foundation of open science. Ideally, it should become the norm for scholarly communication wherever possible. That said, barriers exist. Ukraine historically has not developed the kind of powerful commercial publishing barriers that exist in the United States or Western Europe, so our context is somewhat different. But the very fact that regulatory changes in the U.S. and Ukraine have moved in sync is an important signal."
Regarding institutional changes needed to realize the principle that "results funded by taxpayers belong to society," there are virtually no technical obstacles.
"Publishing research results in a Ukrainian journal is not a problem. The issue lies rather in academic culture, where the demand for prestige often outweighs the demand for quality. A journal's prestige — particularly its impact factor — still significantly affects a scholar's career progression. Meanwhile, more and more scientific communities are questioning this approach. CoARA, for instance, openly advocates for reforming the research assessment system, arguing that a scientific article cannot be evaluated solely by where it is published. The scientific system is extraordinarily inertial, having been shaped over centuries. But a gradual move away from exclusively bibliometric criteria is already underway. Ukraine could set an example by developing quality joint publishing platforms with the United States, EU countries, Japan, and other partners, exploring alternative models for research assessment."
"The OPTIMA project has already concluded. It lasted four years instead of three due to the full-scale invasion. Despite the pandemic and the war, significant results were achieved. An open peer review platform was created, through which approximately twenty scientific conferences from various Ukrainian universities were processed, demonstrating the practical feasibility of open peer review in Ukraine. The first printed and online open science textbook was also developed and is actively used in universities. Four Ukrainian institutions, including APP, introduced formal open science courses for master's and doctoral students."
The Open4UA project, by contrast, is more institutional and reform-oriented in nature.
"Within its framework, a significant contribution was made to developing a new research assessment system, which has already been implemented by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Specifically, under the leadership of Deputy Minister Denys Kurbatov, a methodology for evaluating universities and research institutes was created. Open4UA essentially became a 'sponge for experience,' absorbing best practices from the Netherlands, Slovenia, and other countries, while also preparing a series of regulatory documents and template policies for universities," Oleksandr Berezko explained.
Indicators of the societal impact of science can be varied: impact on the economy, the environment, technology, healthcare, well-being, or public policy. For example, when research findings form the basis of a regulation or become part of national policy — that is concrete, measurable impact. In technical or medical fields, it might mean the creation of a new technology, algorithm, or treatment method. The key is that research should not remain "in a drawer" or only on the pages of a journal, but should deliver real benefits.
"All evaluation is, to some extent, subjective. Peer review is carried out by people, though artificial intelligence is already beginning to play a supporting role. Blind reliance on indicators is also dangerous, as they are easier to game than to ensure genuine quality. It is similar to democracy: the system is imperfect, but nothing better has yet been devised. Research evaluation is a continuous process of improvement — a kind of 'sword and shield' battle. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the Research on Research Institute (RoRI) studies how science should be evaluated. Ukraine should also consider establishing a permanent working group or institution for the systematic improvement of evaluation approaches. If Ukraine becomes a regional leader in implementing open science, this will mean greater efficiency of the scientific system, and consequently, of the state as a whole. In his widely cited 2024 report, Mario Draghi identified insufficient investment in R&D — less than 3% of GDP on average — as one of the reasons for the European Union's economic lag behind the United States and China. This is a strong argument in favor of the strategic importance of science for economic development."
Ukraine's experience of reforming under wartime conditions can certainly serve as an example for other countries. Despite the tragic circumstances, Ukraine has gained unique, multi-layered experience — both in the military and civilian spheres. Many international partners observe with surprise and admiration how the country manages to implement reforms under such difficult conditions. Alongside the heroism of the military, there is a powerful layer of civilian solutions — from reforms in science to the stabilization of the energy system. Ukraine can truly share this experience with the world.
"There are many factors that define Ukraine's resilience. But the most important is its people. Yet there is a serious challenge: the constant 'elite donation.' Ukrainians who move abroad often integrate quickly and succeed in their new environments. So the question is not only about return, but about how to maintain a lasting connection. How to ensure that Ukraine's elite, even after integrating into the American, British, Italian, or Japanese context, does not lose its bond with Ukraine, but remains part of a shared intellectual space."
The concept of friend-shoring can also be applied to research cooperation between Ukraine and the United States. In essence, it is about orienting toward partners who share similar values and building chains of cooperation with those who share common principles. Ukraine today demonstrates a commitment to the values of democracy, freedom, and freedom of speech. If not with Ukraine, then with whom should value-based partnerships be built? This is not about asking — it is a call: "Put us to the test." Give us the opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities. Ukrainians have proven that they can deliver quality results even during blackouts and shelling, while adhering to international standards and compliance principles.
As the scholar emphasized, Ukrainian universities are already demonstrating their capacity to coordinate large international consortia. APP, in particular, became the first Ukrainian university to serve as coordinator of a Horizon Europe project. This shows that Ukraine is ready not only to carry out tasks, but also to take on leadership. Friend-shoring in science means working with those who share your values, on mutually beneficial terms, and with a high level of trust.
"The shift from survival values to self-expression has practical implications for educational policy. The wartime generation has matured significantly — in terms of self-organization, agency, and responsibility. Ukrainians have demonstrated a capacity for horizontal interaction, for building communities, and for collegial decision-making. This culture of horizontal connections is a competitive advantage. It forms the foundation for an education system that fosters initiative, critical thinking, and responsibility. Superficial copying of Western models can be avoided through modeling rather than mechanical reproduction. China once actively copied external solutions, but eventually transformed them into its own system. For Ukraine, the important thing is not simply to borrow, but to adapt and rethink practices within its own context. The theory and practice of knowledge and technology transfer involve constantly studying best examples, but their implementation must be pragmatic and context-sensitive. The idea of creating a bilateral open knowledge corridor envisions not only financial assistance, but above all mutual openness and accountability. Ukraine is ready to work transparently, to undergo audits, to open its processes, and to demonstrate reproducibility and evidence-based results. This means: we can be verified, and that is the foundation of trust," Oleksandr Berezko explained.
The second component is the creation of communities — joint working groups, expert networks, publishing platforms, and peer review communities that operate according to the principles of open science. In France, for example, the Peer Community In initiative successfully brings scholars together around open peer review. Similar formats can be developed in cooperation with the United States. The scholarly communication system is currently in a phase of transformation, and this is the right moment for joint experimentation.
"The first symbolic projects of a new stage of cooperation must be concrete. Ukrainian initiatives often lack clearly formulated proposals. One practical step could be the creation of a joint Ukraine–U.S. publishing platform or scientific journal that operates according to modern open science principles. Regular thematic conferences in specific fields — for example, in artificial intelligence or energy — could also deepen cooperation at the level of professional communities. Trust is built through systematic communication, and trust is the foundation of higher-level partnership," the scholar noted.
Oleksandr Berezko emphasized that the idea of holding a Ukraine–U.S. forum in Lviv, proposed by Nataliya Shakhovska, is a logical continuation of this cooperation. Despite the war, Lviv remains a relatively safe environment for international events. For many foreigners, a trip to Ukraine may seem risky, often due to a lack of information. However, engaging high-level representatives — from government, business, and the academic community — as well as symbolic support from national leaders, could make such a forum a powerful signal of trust and the beginning of a new stage of strategic partnership.
"The purpose of this forum is entirely pragmatic. It is a continuation of previous discussions, but more specifically — about friend-shoring, about concluding concrete cooperation agreements, and about filling the emerging partnerships with substance. Beyond this, it is important to engage the Ukrainian diaspora, which regularly visits Ukraine and is not afraid to participate in such initiatives. This is the next step in developing partnerships and interaction between scientific and cultural communities," Oleksandr Berezko noted.
Another important aspect is the recently established , which is actively growing and attracting an increasing number of universities. Ukrainian studies worldwide serve a dual purpose: first, as an instrument of cultural diplomacy, and second, as a mechanism for communicating the truth and countering Russian propaganda. Such a platform allows for meaningful conversation, the dissemination of knowledge, and the building of trust in Ukraine on the international stage. This approach creates a platform for concrete work, rich in substance and practical value, that strengthens both the scientific and cultural presence of Ukraine in the world.