The aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war reveals a significant blow to Ukraine’s scientific research capacity, with a potential 20% loss and over 17% of scientists leaving the sector. The conflict, looming since February 2022, has silently eroded Ukraine’s scientific research foundation, according to findings published in Humanities & Social Sciences Communications.
RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR; SURVEYING THE FALLOUT
Gaétan de Rassenfosse and colleagues conducted a meticulous survey of 2,559 Ukrainian scientists, revealing stark realities. These scientists were employed in Ukrainian research institutions pre-invasion and had dedicated three or more hours per week to research activities in the preceding three years.
The study reported an exodus of 18.5% of surveyed scientists from Ukraine post-invasion, mirroring the overall population’s departure rate. Astonishingly, more productive and research-active scientists were notably prone to leave. Furthermore, 17.6% abandoned academia or scientific research, with emigrants 17% more likely to exit these domains.
REDUCED RESEARCH HOURS: A DIRE IMPACT
A poignant decline emerged in the time scientists allocated to research – a drop from 13 hours per week to 10. This equates to a harrowing 20% loss in Ukraine’s scientific research capacity, indicating a significant setback in its research endeavours.
The authors caution that these estimates might underestimate the true toll, as the most affected scientists might not have participated in the survey. Moreover, 23.5% of remaining scientists lost access to crucial research resources due to the conflict.
PRESERVING UKRAINE’S SCIENTIFIC LANDSCAPE: URGENT PRIORITIES
To avert further decline, the study advocates addressing key issues: providing stability to emigrant scientists, with only 14% securing long-term contracts, and reinstating access to vital research resources for those who stayed behind.
