Modern warfare is hybrid and multifaceted, affecting every aspect of life – from security to education and science. One of the most pressing challenges is the issue of academic freedom, which shapes the worldview and values of future generations.

A team from Sumy State University – comprising faculty members Dmytro Tsyhanyuk, Alla Krasulia, and students Diana Anufrieva, Iryna Lutsenko, and Sofiia Usova – joined colleagues and partners from the Erasmus+ project consortium FreeAc (2023-1-AT01-KA220-HED-000164930), including the University of Graz (Austria), the World University Service (Austria), CESIE (Italy), International Humanitarian University, and Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, to co-organize a Summer School at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Poland.

Held from June 23 to 27, the Summer School focused on the challenges to academic freedom facing Ukrainians in the context of war.

Participants from SumDU shared their reflections on the event:

Dmytro Tsyhanyuk, PhD in Economics, Director of the Department of Human Resources and Training of Academic Staff at SumDU, and thematic lead of the project Promoting Academic Freedom in Ukraine (FreeAc):

“Ukraine is currently experiencing the greatest educational crisis in its modern history. Since the start of the war, student enrollment in Ukrainian universities has declined by nearly 100,000. Many students are forced to study online due to the constant threat of shelling. A significant number of educators and researchers have relocated to safer areas within Ukraine or abroad. This has created substantial educational gaps that negatively affect both the learning process and scientific activity. The project aims to identify effective tools to overcome these challenges. We surveyed displaced students and staff and are now working with our partners to develop further steps to mitigate the war’s impact on academic freedom.”

Alla Krasulia, PhD in Pedagogy, Head of the International Affairs Department:

“The Summer School was a profoundly emotional and professional experience for me. At a time when our daily reality is defined by air raid sirens, destruction, and constant uncertainty, this event was more than an academic occasion. It became a space of mutual support where we were reminded that we are not alone in this struggle. In wartime, academic freedom takes on new meaning – it’s not just about the right to teach and research, but about the ability to hold the intellectual front line, counter disinformation, and speak the truth. When international partners don’t just express solidarity but stand beside us, engage in joint actions, and open their platforms to Ukrainian voices – that’s real partnership. For me, this school represented the power of an academic community without borders and the humanity reflected in every invitation, every joint article, every 'We are with you.' This shared vision of the future of education gives us the strength to move forward – believing that we’re not just surviving this time but shaping the foundations for post-war recovery and development.”

Inna Makarenko, Doctor of Economics, Associate Professor at the Department of Accounting and Taxation at SumDU, gave a lecture titled "Potemkin Village of Russian Science: The Case of Editorial Boards":

“The scale of Russian academic manipulation is vast, and much of it remains hidden. While researching the role of Russian journals in spreading propaganda, we uncovered alarming practices: fake editorial boards, stolen names of Ukrainian journals, even entire universities falsely presented as Russian. These actions violate the fundamental academic right to truth and objectivity. It is our duty to speak about this openly within the international academic community.”

Participation in the Summer School was a profound personal and academic journey for SumDU students.

Iryna Lutsenko (Group MK-42):

“Previously, I thought ‘academic freedom’ was just an abstract concept. Now I see it as a daily responsibility to defend the right to truth, critical thinking, and independent research – especially during war. A key insight was realizing the strength of the academic community united around shared values. I saw how scholars document the losses of Ukrainian universities, expose fake editorial boards, and speak out at the EU and UN levels. I now understand that even as a student, I can contribute through my knowledge, my position, and my actions.”

Sofiia Usova (Group MK-41):

“For the first time, I truly felt the importance of having space for open thought, doubt, and the pursuit of truth – especially in the difficult circumstances our country is facing. What struck me most was the atmosphere of solidarity and support: every voice was heard, every story mattered. Returning home, I feel not only inspired but also responsible to uphold these values in my daily studies and civic engagement.”

Diana Anufrieva (Group MK-41):

“The Summer School lectures sparked deep reflection and prompted me to reconsider not only the university environment but also my role within it. What impressed me most were the people – open-minded, compassionate, and thoughtful. After this experience, I feel that academic freedom is not just a right but a space for mutual respect, responsibility, and the courage to speak about difficult truths.”

Sumy State University remains committed to defending academic freedom and fostering international cooperation in the face of adversity.