Events

The Society, War and Recovery Research Centre was represented by its CEO, Dr Halyna Hrynyshyn, at the charity event “London Fundraiser for Ukraine: A Miracle from Saint Nicholas”, organised by The Community Lab Initiative CIC. The fundraiser took place on 20 November 2025 in support of the annual “A Miracle from Saint Nicholas” campaign, implemented together with frontline medics Andrew Den and Olga Klimenko, and the Ukraine-based charity Keeplife International Charity Foundation. The initiative aims to deliver 1,000 Christmas gifts to children affected by war, providing moments of care, dignity, and hope during the holiday season. The event brought together a diverse network of volunteers from across the United Kingdom and beyond, including participants from Lincolnshire, Korea, and China. Their collective efforts demonstrated how small acts of compassion, when combined, can generate meaningful humanitarian impact. The evening served as a powerful reminder that community-led initiatives and volunteer engagement play a vital role alongside research and analytical work in supporting societies affected by conflict. Such events highlight the importance of solidarity, empathy, and sustained civic involvement as integral components of recovery processes.

On 20 November 2025, the Society, War and Recovery Research Centre engaged with a scientific and practical seminar “The Refugee Experience: Risks, Challenges, Reintegration”, organised by the Department of Psychology of Political and Legal Relations at the Institute of Social and Political Psychology of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine. The seminar addressed key psychological and social dimensions of refugee experiences, with a particular focus on risks, challenges, and pathways to reintegration in post-war and displacement contexts. The seminar was delivered by Dr Olha M. Kochubeinyk, Doctor of Psychological Sciences, whose presentation examined the concept of psychological capital as a critical factor in sustainable reintegration. Particular attention was given to the restoration of trust, sense of belonging, and social cohesion, as well as the role of community-level support mechanisms in long-term recovery processes. Analytical relevance Key insights from the seminar relevant to the Centre’s research included: the importance of psychological capital not only in facilitating physical return, but in enabling meaningful social reintegration; the role of collective support strategies and mutual assistance at the local community level; the necessity of strengthening trust in communities and institutions as a foundation for post-war recovery. Engagement with this seminar contributes to the Centre’s ongoing research on forced displacement, refugee reintegration, and the social and psychological dimensions of recovery, informing both analytical frameworks and applied, community-oriented research approaches.

On 10 November 2025, the Society, War and Recovery Research Centre took part in the online seminar “EU–Ukraine Agritech Bridge: Technologies, Standards, Integration”, organised by the International Finance Corporation (IFC, World Bank Group) in partnership with the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic and the Government of the United Kingdom, with the support of UCAB. The seminar brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to discuss technological integration, regulatory harmonisation, and trade relations between Ukraine and the European Union in the agricultural sector. Opening remarks The event was opened by: Taras Kachka, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Alex Lissitsa, President of UCAB and Chairman of the Board of IMC Olga Hunger, Regional Director for Eastern Europe, DLG e.V. Key thematic contributions Particular attention was given to: innovative cooling and logistics solutions for the agri-food sector (IFC), agricultural trade dynamics between Ukraine and the European Union (UCAB). Key insights The discussions highlighted the central role of agriculture in Ukraine’s economy: over 15% of GDP and approximately 60% of foreign currency earnings are generated through agricultural exports; Ukraine remains a global leader in the production and export of sunflower oil, corn, wheat, rapeseed, and soybeans; despite the ongoing war, Ukraine continues to play a critical role in European food supply chains, with 51% of agri-exports directed to EU markets in 2024. At the same time, the seminar addressed structural vulnerabilities linked to import dependence. In 2024, Ukraine imported approximately €9 billion worth of key agricultural inputs and equipment, 66% of which originated from the EU. Major import categories included fuel and lubricants, machinery, fertilisers, crop protection products, and seeds. Key partner countries included Poland, Greece, Germany, Turkey, the United States, Hungary, and China. Analytical relevance The seminar reinforced the understanding that Ukraine’s agricultural sector is already deeply embedded in the European economic space. Harmonisation of standards, the development of joint agrarian resource markets, and technological integration are not merely policy objectives but essential components of long-term food security, economic resilience, and competitiveness. These discussions directly inform the Centre’s research on agricultural economics, EU integration, post-war recovery, and the role of food systems in societal resilience.

The Society, War and Recovery Research Centre is proud to announce a significant milestone in our community-led educational efforts. On 11 November 2025, our CEO, Dr Halyna Hrynyshyn — who also serves as a Ukrainian Language and Literature teacher and lead researcher at the school — participated in a strategic session for international educational hubs chaired by Nadiia Kuzmychova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine. The meeting focused on the official state verification of Ukrainian schools abroad. We are thrilled to share that our school, “Talented Ukrainian Children in Malvern,” has successfully completed this process, ensuring that the academic results of our students are officially recognised by the Ukrainian state. A Unique Dual Role: Teaching and Research For our Centre, this verification is particularly meaningful because of Dr Hrynyshyn’s direct involvement: In the Classroom: As a teacher, she implements the Ministry’s updated curricula, ensuring that children in Malvern remain connected to their native language and culture through high-quality educational materials. In the Field: As a researcher, she uses this direct experience to analyze the effectiveness of educational practices in displacement, providing our Centre with invaluable primary data on Human Capital and Community Resilience. Looking Ahead: Digital Innovation The school will soon integrate into the Ministry’s new LMS Platform, launching in January 2026. This will enhance our ability to deliver structured education and track the academic progress of our 60 students using modern digital tools. “Teaching at the school while researching these processes allows me to see the real impact of educational policies,” notes Dr Hrynyshyn. “We are not just witnessing the evolution of Ukrainian education abroad; we are actively shaping it to ensure our children have a future, wherever they are.” We extend our deepest gratitude to School Director Natalia Kuchmak and the entire team for their dedication to achieving this official status.

The Society, War and Recovery Research Centre strengthens its community engagement through the active involvement of its CEO, Dr Halyna Hrynyshyn, in local and international civic networks. In this context, Dr Hrynyshyn has formally joined the Rotary Club, becoming a member of the Malvern Rotary Club. Rotary is a global network of civic leaders committed to humanitarian action, community development, and international cooperation. Membership in the Malvern branch reflects a shared commitment to addressing local needs while remaining engaged with global challenges. Of particular relevance to the Centre’s mission is the Malvern Rotary Club’s support for humanitarian initiatives assisting Ukraine, including cooperation with the Ukrainian Freedom Company, which provides medical and humanitarian aid to both civilians and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This affiliation reinforces the Centre’s emphasis on socially responsible leadership and highlights the importance of collaboration between research institutions, civic organisations, and community-based initiatives in responding to the societal consequences of war and supporting long-term recovery.

“As long as we teach children the Ukrainian language and tell stories about ourheroes, Ukraine lives on – not only on the map but in the hearts of these children.” –Dr. Halyna Hrynyshyn.Our CEO recently received a heartwarming recognition for her voluntary work at theUkrainian Sunday School “Talented Ukrainian Children in Malvern.” Despite herbackground in complex data and project analysis, Dr. Hrynyshyn has dedicated herSundays to teaching Ukrainian language and literature to 60 children seeking refugein the UK.Every lesson is a labor of love. With no standard textbooks available, Dr. Hrynyshynprepares all materials personally, turning her home into a “mini-print shop” toprovide exercises and grammar lessons for her students.For the Society, War and Recovery Research Centre, this initiative is a livingexample of Recovery in action. It’s not just about education; it’s about healingtrauma through community and ensuring that the cultural fabric of Ukraine remainsstrong, no matter where its people are.We are incredibly proud of Dr. Hrynyshyn for being named “Best Teacher” by herstudents – a testament to the fact that leadership is as much about the heart as it isabout the mind.

We are delighted to announce that Dr. Halyna Hrynyshyn, CEO of the Society, Warand Recovery Research Centre, has received official recognition from CommunityWorcester for her exceptional voluntary commitment to the Ukrainian community inWorcestershire.For the past two years, Dr. Hrynyshyn has been at the forefront of supportingdisplaced Ukrainian families who relocated due to the war. Her work has focused on:Strategic Integration: Facilitating the transition of families into the local community.Essential Service Navigation: Connecting relocated individuals with criticalhealthcare, education, and social services.Cultural Bridge-Building: Overcoming language barriers and fostering mutualunderstanding.This recognition celebrates the tangible impact of building bridges between cultures.Dr. Hrynyshyn’s work embodies the core mission of our Centre: understanding thehuman dimensions of war and facilitating resilient recovery.“The resilience and strength I’ve witnessed in the Ukrainian community has beentruly inspiring,” says Dr. Hrynyshyn. “Every small step we take together – whetherit’s helping with language barriers or connecting families to local resources – makes areal difference in the journey of integration.”The award was presented by The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Worcester andCouncillor Dr. Matt Lamb. At the Society, War and Recovery Research Centre, webelieve that academic expertise must be paired with direct community action to trulyunderstand and drive recovery.