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| Ukrainian are welcome. Image Credit: Source: © Geoffroy van der Hasselt/AFP/Getty Images |
Dnipro, a city in central-eastern Ukraine, had been generally safe until Friday. However, on March 11, three Russian rockets were launched into a highly populated residential area. 'Until that morning, we were quite peaceful,' adds Severynovska.
However, she claims that it was impossible to work even before the first attack on the city. Everyone is staying at home, but she has been working hard to keep undergraduate courses continuing. Some foreign experts have even given Ukrainian students internet lectures.
Severynovska is one of several scientists and academics whose lives have been radically changed in the last two weeks. As they watch in horror, their peers in the scientific community have banded together to offer any assistance they can. There is now a curated list of research groups from all around the world that are giving positions, scholarships, and housing. This list, initiated by Ilfa University of Latvia and backed by national organizations such as the German–Ukrainian Academic Society, has grown to include over 600 universities and has been distributed to all Ukrainian universities.
Helping Hand
According to Yevheniia Polishchuk, vice-head of the Young Scientists Council at Ukraine's Ministry of Education and Science and a #ScienceForUkraine coordinator, the platform is already well-known among Ukrainians. 'There is a lot of support. Many individuals are attempting to assist Ukrainians, which has a significant impact on our resilience.' She estimates that there will be about 6300 academic refugees, with approximately one-fifth deciding never to return to Ukraine.
Severynovska believes that such resources are necessary. 'We have a sense that we are not alone and that we have a future.' Even if we cannot use it right now, we hope that after our win, there will be an opportunity at a high level to continue scientific research and build new alliances.'
She says that it is currently difficult to reply to these offers. 'We were in shock, but there wasn't enough time or energy to think about work, projects, or teamwork.' Everyone has been helping refugees, the military, the hospital, and family during the last week.' Furthermore, not every Ukrainian scientist has access to a computer and the internet. 'Some are being held in basements under continuous fire,' she says. 'Some people are fighting.' And getting out of Ukraine is becoming more difficult.
Despite this, Severynovska has found scientists with the same scientific interests and intends to write letters to them in the near future. 'I'd like to plan collaborative research and maybe an internship.' However, a job may be required. I will not work under Russian authority.'
Vitalii Palchykov, a synthetic organic chemist at Dnipro National University, describes the list as a "great chance" for female scientists. Ukrainian men between the ages of 18 and 60 are prohibited from leaving Ukraine.
Palchykov now spends his days going to write scientific publications while his laboratory remains closed. He also volunteers, performing 'normal' tasks such as distributing clothes, medications, and food, as well as manufacturing sandbags and Molotov cocktails. He has also assisted in the preparation of over 1000 potassium iodide doses to be given during the initial hours of radiation exposure.
In the future, he believes that Ukrainian science will be dominated by military initiatives. 'I have no doubt that a large number of young scientists will leave the nation.' This is terrible. I am continuously looking for young scientists for our scientific projects, and I am aware that it is becoming increasingly difficult.' Meanwhile, he is encouraged by letters from colleagues all over the world, including Russia.
Visa Problems
The #ScienceForUkraine list is already receiving requests for assistance. Michael Bojdys, head of King's College London's functional nanomaterials department, received an email from an analytical chemist at Kyiv University who fled to Lviv with her two children and is now looking for a job. Ukrainians who want to visit the UK, on the other hand, must obtain a visa. Ukrainians are granted three years of visa-free stay in the EU.
Until recently, Ukrainians with a family member in the UK were the only ones who could obtain a visa. A second method, which began on March 14, permits a UK resident, corporation, or charity to lodge a Ukrainian for at least six months in exchange for £350 per month. Ukrainians participating in this program will be permitted to stay for three years and work.
According to Bojdys, this is a "useful immediate measure." However, it is unclear whether Ukrainian scientists will still be required to complete the standard online application process. Furthermore, universities charge applicants visa fees that might amount to thousands of pounds over the length of a Ph.D. As a result, Bojdys has been told to sit tight' while King's College applies for a visa waiver. 'It's completely intolerable,' he says. 'Keep in mind that they are researchers like us; they could be us.'
The visa problem has also irritated James Murray, a senior lecturer in biomedical sciences at Swansea University. He received two CVs from Ukrainian scientists, one of whom is currently living in western Ukraine with her two children and mother and has suitable experience for his lab. 'I had no choice but to respond with what little assistance I could provide: a sponsored approach through the Council for At-Risk Academics' (Cara). Visas can be obtained with the help of the Cara plan; otherwise, it is difficult. Normally, we can secure six-month studentship visas for interns, but this requires sending institutional paperwork, which is likely to be unavailable at the present.'
Other countries, such as Sweden, appear to have provided far more assistance. SSF, Sweden's financing agency for natural sciences, engineering, and medicine, has provided SEK30 million (£2.4 million) to cover salaries for arriving Ukrainian scholars recruited by a Swedish organization.
Help from the community
Stockholm University's chemistry labs have joined #ScienceForUkraine. Berit Olofsson, dean of chemistry at Stockholm University, is providing lab and office space as well as helping in writing funding applications. She has received offers varying from students to postdoctoral researchers. 'I have forwarded their applications to others in my network in the hopes of finding a good match with their field of research and have received signs that it should be possible to assist them.' At the moment, different labs are working hard to develop answers in each case.
Canada has also shown its willingness to assist. 'The government has declared that we will accept any and all Ukrainians who choose to come with no restrictions,' says John Trant, a scientist at the University of Windsor in Ontario.
However, traveling to Canada is a challenge. 'Canada will pay for refugees to be flown to Canada, but the vetting procedure is meant to bring people from [UN High Commissioner for Refugees] camps on a longer timeframe.' I'm not sure how this will function on the shorter timelines I'm hoping we'll be using for this.' His university is also working together on a financing package to help Ukrainian students.
Trant has a Ukrainian student in his group who has gone to battle. He claims to be very angry and powerless. 'But this is something I can accomplish. I can provide money, Ph.D. positions, postdoc positions, and visiting scholar roles. Let us get scientists out of Ukraine (who want to go) to safety and deal about the technicalities later.'
Luca Pellegrini, a professor of medical biochemistry and pathology at Quebec's Université Laval, is also happy to help. His grandparents were refugees from what is now Croatia during World War II. Ukrainian students have already asked him for assistance. 'I just renewed my core research grant, so I have enough money to hire additional Ph.D. students.' I've chosen to give at least one Ph.D. student seat to a Ukrainian war refugee, and I've decided to enhance the salary by 10%. In addition, I want to fund the cost of the flight travel. 'I expect that my primary focus will be on accommodating, welcoming, and integrating someone who has been uprooted by a horrific experience.'
Further information
What you can do to help:
https://www.euchems.eu/chemists-for-ukraine/
The European Chemical Society also has a LinkedIn group to share opportunities for Ukrainian scientists.
https://jobsforukraine.net/industry.
Jobs4Ukraine is a curated, EU-wide list of companies that can take up refugee workers and technical staff with immediate effect, and a registry of white- and blue-collar workers seeking jobs.
Source - Author: Maria Burke, Chemistryworld
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