Scientists without borders: lessons from Ukraine

Area of Science:

• Global Health
• Disaster Science
• International Relations

Background:

• Conflicts and natural disasters cause widespread devastation, impacting populations and scientific output.
• Events like the invasion of Ukraine and earthquakes in Turkey/Syria highlight infrastructure collapse and loss of research resources.
• These crises create immediate and long-term challenges for scientists, affecting grants and employment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of war on Ukraine's scientific community.
• To identify effective support mechanisms for researchers in crisis-affected nations.
• To propose strategies for international collaboration to aid scientists at risk.

Main Methods:

• Focus on the current impact of war on the Ukrainian scientific community.
• Classification of feasible support mechanisms for researchers facing hardship.
• Discussion of implementation strategies and future needs for international scientific support.

Main Results:

• War severely disrupts scientific infrastructure, data, and researchers' careers.
• Effective support mechanisms include accessible training and international collaborations.
• International scientific community involvement is vital for researcher resilience and recovery.

Conclusions:

• Disasters and conflicts have global repercussions on scientific advancement.
• Targeted international support can enhance inclusion, connectivity, and scientific progress in affected regions.
• Proactive measures are essential for expediting postwar and disaster recovery through scientific collaboration.