Events

It was a memorable occasion as Dr Halyna Hrynyshyn attended the grand opening ofthe 7th Ukrainian Education Hub in Great Britain, located in the heart of Cheltenham.This new hub is part of a prestigious global network of over 80 hubs worldwide,funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, aimed at promotinglifelong learning and developing Ukrainian cultural capital across Europe andCanada.The opening event, hosted by Yevgeniya Zhyryakova, Head of the UA EduHub in theUK, featured inspiring speeches from local government representatives, movingperformances by Ukrainian musical groups, and excellent networking opportunities.She had the particular pleasure of meeting SWRRC Advisors Dr Liudmyla Batsenkoand Roman Halenin, as well as sharing this moment with colleagues from theUkrainian school in Malvern, Natalia Kuchmak and Vita Piddubna, and reconnectingwith teachers from the “Kolo” Ukrainian school in Gloucester.The SWRR Centre believes this hub is set to become a vital platform for everyonewho values the power of community, education, and social progress. We extend ourheartfelt thanks to the organisers for such a warm welcome and for creating a spacewhere the Ukrainian spirit continues to thrive.

It was a memorable occasion as Dr Halyna Hrynyshyn attended the grand opening ofthe 7th Ukrainian Education Hub in Great Britain, located in the heart of Cheltenham.This new hub is part of a prestigious global network of over 80 hubs worldwide,funded by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, aimed at promotinglifelong learning and developing Ukrainian cultural capital across Europe andCanada.The opening event, hosted by Yevgeniya Zhyryakova, Head of the UA EduHub in theUK, featured inspiring speeches from local government representatives, movingperformances by Ukrainian musical groups, and excellent networking opportunities.She had the particular pleasure of meeting SWRRC Advisors Dr Liudmyla Batsenkoand Roman Halenin, as well as sharing this moment with colleagues from theUkrainian school in Malvern, Natalia Kuchmak and Vita Piddubna, and reconnectingwith teachers from the “Kolo” Ukrainian school in Gloucester.The SWRR Centre believes this hub is set to become a vital platform for everyonewho values the power of community, education, and social progress. We extend ourheartfelt thanks to the organisers for such a warm welcome and for creating a spacewhere the Ukrainian spirit continues to thrive.

We are delighted to share that Dr Halyna Hrynyshyn attended the WorcesterCotswold Networking evening, held at the stunning Stanbrook Abbey Hotel. Thevenue provided a beautiful and welcoming atmosphere — a perfect setting formeaningful professional connections.The highlight of the evening was an excellent talk by LinkedIn expert EstherPartridge-Warner, who shared practical and valuable insights on how to show upmore effectively on LinkedIn and make the most of the platform for business growth.She had the pleasure of attending alongside colleagues and fellow professionals fromacross the region. As Halyna Hrynyshyn reflected: “Sometimes the best investment isa conversation with smart, inspiring people.”The event brought together a diverse and engaged community of business owners,researchers, and entrepreneurs — a reminder of the power of face-to-face networkingin building meaningful professional relationships.We look forward to future events and continued collaboration within this inspiringcommunity.

The Society, War and Recovery Research Centre (SWRRC) is pleased to announcethe signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the International CentreUkrainian House UK – a significant step in building an active network that connectsresearch, civil society, and practical action.This partnership establishes a formal foundation for joint work across threeinterconnected areas: research, humanitarian initiatives, and community engagement.Under the terms of the MOU, both organisations will pursue collaborative researchprojects, volunteering programmes, fundraising efforts, and the mutual exchange ofexpertise and resources.A key focus of the partnership will be the co-organisation of events that bringtogether Ukrainian communities, researchers, and practitioners across the UnitedKingdom and in Ukraine – creating spaces for dialogue, knowledge sharing, andcollective action.The partnership reflects a shared strategic mission: to strengthen the resilience ofUkrainian communities, to build an intellectual and strategic bridge between theUkrainian academic community and the British research and policy landscape, and todevelop collaborations that deliver real and lasting impact.For SWRRC, this MOU represents one more step in establishing a research networkthat is not only academically rigorous but deeply connected to the communities itserves.

The Society, War & Recovery Research Centre (SWRRC) is proud to announce aformal partnership with the Korosten–Malvern Twinning Association. Thiscollaboration marks a significant step in our mission to connect academic researchwith meaningful, community-led recovery initiatives.The Story Behind the TwinningThe association was born from a powerful grassroots initiative in 2024. FollowingRussia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Olha Kraievska relocated to Malvern, whereshe became an active member of the local community and the Malvern Hills DistrictCouncil.Olha proposed twinning Malvern with her hometown, Korosten. This vision led to: Mid-2024: The formation of the Twinning Association, establishing itsconstitution and formal structure. November 2024: Unanimous approval by Malvern Town Council. January 7, 2025: The official signing of the Twinning Oath by Mayor MarilynBirks (Malvern) and Mayor Volodymyr Moskalenko (Korosten).Why Local Partnerships are VitalAt SWRRC, we believe that international solidarity is most effective when it isrooted in local communities. While high-level policy is essential, “grassroots” ties arethe heartbeat of long-term recovery and integration.By partnering with local organizations, we move beyond theory to engage directlywith the lived experiences of residents, schools, and businesses. This local focusensures that support is tangible, personal, and sustainable.Objectives of the CollaborationThis partnership aims to foster resilience and mutual understanding through:Educational Exchange: Developing direct links between schools in both towns.Economic Cooperation: Facilitating collaboration between regional businesses andtourism sectors.Community Research: SWRRC will engage in evidence-focused projects to studyhow these local ties contribute to successful integration and post-war recovery.Civic Relationship: Strengthening the formal bond between Malvern Town Counciland Korosten City Council.Looking AheadWe are honored to welcome the Korosten–Malvern Twinning Association to ournetwork. Together, we look forward to launching initiatives that turn internationalfriendship into a powerful engine for community resilience.

On March 6th, on the eve of International Women’s Day, the Director of the Society,War and Recovery Research Centre (SWRC), Dr Halyna Hrynyshyn, had the honourof attending the annual celebration at the University of Worcester Business School.The event served as a powerful platform for discussing modern leadership, thecreation of inclusive spaces, and the importance of professional growth through newopportunities.“As the Director of the Centre, I find the discussions on leadership rooted ingenerosity and the ability to embrace new challenges to be deeply relevant to ourmission – supporting individuals navigating the aftermath of war anddisplacement,” noted Dr Halyna Hrynyshyn.A particularly emotional highlight of the programme was the presentation by NicoletaCinpoes. Having visited Ukraine several times during the war, she shared profoundreflections on sanctuary, resilience, and unwavering solidarity. Her words resonateddeeply with the mission of the SWRC, while the familiar Ukrainian landscapesfeatured in her presentation served as a poignant reminder of the vital internationalsupport that continues to strengthen our communities.The event also highlighted the critical frontline work of the West Mercia Rape &Sexual Abuse Support Centre, including their upcoming Welsh Three Peaks charitychallenge – a crucial initiative dedicated to supporting survivors in the region.It was also a great pleasure to reconnect with a Ukrainian colleague, ProfessorAlevtyna Kudinova, and to share insights with leading representatives of theacademic community.We extend our sincere gratitude to Helen Watts and the entire organising team for theflawless execution of the event and the inspiring atmosphere. This experience hasbrought renewed inspiration for the future projects of our Centre.

The Society, War & Recovery Research Centre (SWRRC) is pleased to announce anew phase of collaboration with the Department of Management and BusinessAdministration at the Lviv National University of Veterinary Medicine andBiotechnologies (LNUVMBT). Building Professional Bridges In a recent online meeting held on 16 February 2026, the Director of SWRRCreconnected with former colleagues from the Department of Management andBusiness Administration. The discussion focused on creating a sustainableframework for cooperation that bridges Ukrainian academic expertise withinternational research initiatives. Key Areas of Cooperation Both institutions have agreed to pursue a multifaceted partnership, focusing on: A Tribute to Academic Resilience A core focus of this partnership is the recognition of the extraordinary resilienceshown by Ukrainian academics. Despite the ongoing war, frequent air raid sirens, andpower outages, the faculty at LNUVMBT continues to provide high-quality educationand maintain active scientific production. “The commitment of these scholars to their students and their research under suchchallenging conditions is a testament to the power of intellectual resilience.SWRRC is honoured to support our colleagues and provide a platform for theirvital work.” — Founder & Director of SWRRC Looking Forward By integrating the expertise of LNUVMBT faculty into SWRRC’s global network,we aim to highlight the critical role of management and administration in the post-war recovery process. This partnership ensures that Ukrainian academic voicesremain central to the international discourse on reconstruction and social stability.

On 6 February 2026, the Society, War & Recovery Research Centre (SWRRC)participated in the Ukrainian Business Community Meet-up in Manchester, an eventthat brought together Ukrainian entrepreneurs, founders, and community leaders toexchange experiences, strengthen professional networks, and support communityinitiatives. The event, held at Manchester Central Library, created an important platform fordialogue between Ukrainian-led organisations, local businesses, and communityinitiatives operating across Greater Manchester. The Centre was represented by its CEO, Dr Halyna Hrynyshyn, who attended theevent together with Natalia Kuchmak. Building Connections within the Ukrainian Business Community The meet-up created an inspiring space for networking and discussion aboutentrepreneurship, community development, and collaboration within the Ukrainiandiaspora in the UK. SWRRC representatives had the opportunity to engage with several inspiringindividuals and organisations, including: A particularly memorable moment of the evening was meeting Vadym Granovskiy,who shared his journey of building a coffee business in the UK. Participants also hadthe opportunity to see his mobile coffee shop in operation, which served as a practicalexample of entrepreneurial resilience and determination. Key Insights and Outcomes Participation in this event provided SWRRC with valuable insights into the evolvingUkrainian entrepreneurial ecosystem in the United Kingdom. The discussionshighlighted several important themes: Institutional Support The event was organised with the support of the Build a Business in GreaterManchester programme, a UK Government initiative supporting entrepreneurship, inpartnership with the Business & IP Centre and Generator. Strengthening Community Engagement For SWRRC, participation in such initiatives is an important part of strengtheningties between research institutions, community organisations, and entrepreneurialnetworks. Engagement with these ecosystems contributes to a deeper understandingof the social and economic dynamics shaping Ukrainian communities in the UK. The Centre values the opportunity to reconnect with partners, meet new collaborators,and continue supporting initiatives that strengthen community resilience andcooperation.

The Society, War and Recovery Research Centre is proud to announce the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB), Malvern Branch. This strategic collaboration, signed by the Centre’s CEO, Dr Halyna Hrynyshyn, and the Head of the Association, Natalia Kuchmak, marks an important milestone in the Centre’s institutional development. The collaboration is grounded in the principle that robust scientific and analytical work must be informed by a deep understanding of the local context in which research institutions operate. In line with its “local to global” approach, the Centre examines broader socio-economic and migration processes through the specific lens of Malvern and its communities. “Our mission is to ensure that research delivers tangible results for the community where we operate,” says Dr Hrynyshyn. “We thank the AUGB for their trust. Together, we are building the data foundation necessary for a resilient and inclusive local future.” Through this Memorandum of Understanding, the Centre gains structured access to community-level insights and analytical information relating to the Ukrainian community in Great Britain. This collaboration provides an essential empirical foundation for research into migration dynamics, integration processes, and community needs at the local level. The partnership will contribute to the development of evidence-based recommendations aimed at supporting effective local decision-making and long-term resource planning. Findings generated through this collaboration will be relevant for local stakeholders, including Malvern Hills District Council, and will support data-informed policy responses tailored to local realities. This Memorandum of Understanding reflects the Centre’s commitment to ethically grounded research, meaningful community engagement, and the translation of academic analysis into practical value for local governance and recovery-oriented planning.