Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies Frankfurt (Oder) – Berlin (KIU) • European University Viadrina

The new Lecture Series Summer Semester 2025 is avaliable - Ukraine In Europe

View details

New Course Catalogue for the Summer Semester 2025 has arrived!

View details

Rewatch the livestream of the opening ceremony of KIU

View details

About

The KIU competence network is a four-year DAAD-funded project to strengthen Ukraine-related research, teaching, networking and transfer activities. The competence network, initiated and led by the European University Viadrina, includes the ZOiS, the Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, the Freie Universität Berlin, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the Wissenschaftskolleg Berlin.

KIU – Competence Network for Interdisciplinary Ukraine Studies Frankfurt (Oder)-Berlin and the “Denkraum Ukraine” Regensburg, led by the European University Viadrina, are the two Ukraine Centers in Germany funded by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). Together, they are working on building Ukraine-related academic research and teaching, disseminating Ukraine expertise in politics, academia, media, and civil society, as well as promoting a Europe-wide dialogue with Ukraine.

19. May 2025

Arndt Freytag von Loringhoven (former ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Poland and the Czech Republic): ´Paths to Ukrainian EU integration beyond the conditionality approach

Monday, at , at 6 P.M. at GD 102, Join us in the next Ukraine Lecture Episode at Viadrina University. In this lecture, the former diplomat and political essayist will outline models and modes of Ukrainian approachment to EU membership. Although full membership is a political goal pursued by both the EU and Ukraine, numerous questions remain regarding the actual implementation of accession, not least the veto power of the EU member states themselves. What scenarios are possible if full membership remains difficult for the time being, and how can Ukraine be prevented from becoming a ‘permanent candidate on hold’?

12. May 2025

Georgiy Kasianov - Does Ukraine Possess an Agency? A Historical Perspective

Monday, 6 to 8 P.M. GD 102. The report challenges long-standing narratives that have historically cast Ukraine as a passive frontier or buffer zone between competing empires. Tracing the evolution of Ukraine’s geopolitical identity from its portrayal as a “borderland” to its current role as a “frontline state,” the study critically examines how Western and Russian discourses have shaped Ukraine’s international positioning. The paper explores how these persistent framings - ranging from Ukraine as a civilizational bridge to a failed state - have constrained the country’s agency in global affairs. It argues that the war with Russia, especially since the full-scale invasion in 2022, has disrupted these paradigms. Ukraine has not only withstood existential military threats but has also demonstrated civil society mobilization, effective diplomatic engagement, and relatively effective governance. Drawing on historical analysis and contemporary geopolitics, the author underscores Ukraine’s transformation into an active geopolitical actor. The paper calls for a fundamental reassessment of Western policies, urging NATO and the EU to move beyond symbolic support and fully integrate Ukraine as a strategic equal partner. The paper fits the debates on European security, sovereignty, and post-imperial transitions. It invites scholars, policymakers, and the broader public to reconsider assumptions about power, identity, and resilience in Eastern Europe.

20. April 2025

New KIU Publication: Freiheitschauplatz Ukraine by Susann Worschech

We are delighted to announce the release of Freiheitschauplatz Ukraine, a groundbreaking new volume published by Dr. Susann Worschech, KIU Scientific Coordinator.

09. April 2025

Welcoming Guest Professor N. Steblyna – Exclusive Courses Now Available!

Exploring Media in Times of War – Guest Professor Nataliia Steblyna at Viadrina We are excited to welcome Ukrainian journalist and media scholar Dr. Nataliia Steblyna as a guest professor at Viadrina for the summer semester of 2025! As the first visiting professor at the KIU Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies, she brings unique insights into the challenges of contemporary media landscapes. In her courses, Dr. Steblyna will engage students in critical discussions on digital media analysis, Russian propaganda, and communication in times of war. Her expertise is shaped by firsthand experience, as her university was forced to relocate from eastern Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an expert on the frontlines of media and political analysis! Digital instruments for media and political analysis, Thursday, 11-13 A.M. (GD 201) Hacking and Restoring the Truth (Modern Russian propaganda studies): Thursday, 9-11 A.M. (GD 2021) Media. War. Digitalization, Wednesday, 2-4 P.M. (GD 201)

New Courses Summer Semester 2025

New Lecture Series and Ukraine-Related Courses at the Europa-Universität Viadrina, Humboldt-Universität Berlin, and the Freie-Universität Berlin. We are excited to announce a new series of lectures and specialized courses focusing on Ukraine at the EUV, HU, and FU. These courses cover a wide range of topics, including Ukrainian language, literature, political history, and media analysis, offering students a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of Ukraine's rich cultural and political landscape. At EUV, students can explore courses such as "Ukrainian Literature: Texts and Their Translations" and "Ukrainian Language Courses" for various proficiency levels, including A1, A2, B1 & B2.1. We look forward to welcoming students to engage in these enriching academic experiences.

19. February 2025

First episode of interview series 'KIUrious' out now

We are launching the first episode of KIUrious - an interview format that sheds light on the research undertaken within the KIU network. Susann Worschech, KIU academic coordinator, speaks about KIU and Ukrainian Studies and its potentials within academia and society.

Fellowships and Programmes

Arbeitsplatz, Laptop, Bildschirm, Tastatur, Büro

Fellowships

The KIU Research Fellowship in Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies supports innovative and significant research on topics related to Ukraine.

die Lampen, graefin-doenhoff-gebaeude-innensansicht

Programmes

The KIU Competence Network Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies Frankfurt (Oder) – Berlin offers various programmes. Among them is its first Summer School on "War in Ukraine: Destruction of heritage – mastering legacy".