University of Notre Dame joins the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies
The University of Notre Dame has joined the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies after signing a memorandum of cooperation, formalized Sept. 24, at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York City. Notre Dame joined four other American institutions that were also publicly welcomed to the coalition at this event: Arizona State University, Columbia University, Manor College and the Shevchenko Scientific Society.
Founded in 2024, the coalition aims to “unite the efforts of universities and research institutions from around the world to better understand Ukraine and develop Ukrainian studies.”
Olena Zelenska, Ukraine’s first lady and founder of the coalition, described the 20-member organization as “a real, living network. It is a space of trust and dialogue.” During her remarks at the event, Zelenska went on to say, “We are creating opportunities for the study of Ukraine worldwide in all its dimensions — not only history and culture, but also digital innovation, resilience and the experience of a society defending its freedom.”
Clemens Sedmak, professor of social ethics at the Keough School of Global Affairs and director of the Keough School’s Nanovic Institute for European Studies, and Rory Finnin, professor of Ukrainian studies at the University of Cambridge and visiting professor at Notre Dame for the 2025-26 academic year, attended the formal meeting and accompanying panel event. As part of the panel, Finnin served as a featured speaker, discussing the importance and urgency of establishing Ukrainian studies programs and underscoring the many ways universities (and the world) can learn from Ukraine. Michael Pippenger, vice president and associate provost for internationalization, served as the signatory from Notre Dame.
The partnership will involve the promotion and exchange of experience, resources and ideas to strengthen the academic environment surrounding Ukrainian studies across the University. It will promote cooperation to deepen mutual understanding and promote Ukrainian and Crimean Tatar studies.
A critical component of these efforts will be the Ukrainian Studies Hub initiative, inaugurated by the Nanovic Institute in March at a global conference titled “Revolutions of Hope: Resilience and Recovery in Ukraine.” Full details and reflections on this conference are available in the institute’s 2024-25 Year in Review.
Speaking on behalf of the Nanovic Institute, Sedmak said, “We are particularly excited to see the further collaboration that will be generated by becoming part of the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, which is a key part of our mission to support and enhance the level of scholarship about Ukraine — learning with and from our Ukrainian partners — across campus and around the world.”
Another important initiative is the ongoing joint research cooperation between Notre Dame and Ukrainian Catholic University, supported by grant programs through both the Nanovic Institute and Notre Dame Global.
Pippenger said, “Notre Dame is honored to join the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies, standing alongside colleagues from around the world in a shared commitment to advancing scholarship that deepens our understanding of Ukraine. This partnership reflects our commitment to be a force for good by strengthening dialogue, resilience and global solidarity.”
More information and photos of the signing in New York can be found in the article by the Office of the President of Ukraine.
Originally published by at nanovic.nd.edu on Oct. 1.
Contact: Tracy DeStazio, associate director of media relations, 574-631-9958 or tdestazi@nd.edu
Latest International
- Statement from University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., on the anniversary of the atomic bombing of HiroshimaToday, on the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, Father Dowd offered remarks at the Elisabeth University of Music as a guest of its president, Yuji Kawano, and Bishop Alexis Mitsuru Shirahama of Hiroshima. Father Dowd focused on the role that universities can play in addressing the current nuclear predicament and the wider challenges of peace in today’s world.
- Vatican honors Martin and Carmel Naughton with papal awardThe late Pope Francis, in one of his last acts, conferred the honour of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great upon Carmel and Martin Naughton, Trustee Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. The papal honor is in recognition of the Naughtons’ outstanding philanthropy in the areas of education and the arts, particularly in the provision of philanthropic support and scholarships to Catholic education at the University of Notre Dame and Kylemore Abbey, and in their transformative contributions to higher education in Ireland.
- Prioritizing prenatal care may decrease low birth weight outcomes in The Gambia, Notre Dame research findsA new study co-authored by University of Notre Dame researchers highlights the importance of prenatal care for improving the health of mothers and newborns, providing evidence that can inform policy.
- Navigating the waters of peace: Researchers address challenges, opportunities in implementation of Colombia's Peace AgreementNearly half of the commitments outlined in Colombia's historic peace accord face significant challenges and may not happen in time unless policymakers make several key interventions, warns a new report from Notre Dame's Peace Accords Matrix. The report offers a blueprint to salvage an accord that has lagged behind its implementation deadlines, putting its legacy at risk. It highlights timely fixes that can strengthen the agreement.
- Partial peace deals may facilitate comprehensive accords, offering roadmap for policymakers, practitionersPartial peace agreements — deals that address targeted issues on the way to larger comprehensive accords — could provide a blueprint for peacebuilding policymakers and practitioners, according to new University of Notre Dame research.
- CANCELED: University to host Cardinal Pedro Barreto of Peru and Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana as part of Notre Dame ForumAs part of the 2024-25 Notre Dame Forum, Cardinal Pedro Ricardo Barreto Jimeno, S.J., of Peru and Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana will visit the University of Notre Dame to participate in a conversation with President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., at 11:30 a.m. April 25 in the Smith Ballroom of the Morris Inn. The conversation is open to the public and will also be livestreamed for both Spanish-speaking and English-speaking audiences.
