Two years of twinning: University of Nottingham and the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU)

The workshop ‘Intellectual Property Rights: a Tool or Hindrance on the Road to Reconstruction after the War’ - held at Nottingham School of Law in December 2023 -  was a pivotal moment for us, exploring the dynamics of intellectual property rights in post-war reconstruction.

This event was part of the project ‘Intellectual Property Rights and Their Recognition as Fundamental Rights’. With the specific aim of analysing how intellectual property rights can either facilitate or impede post-war reconstruction, the objective of the workshop was to explore how intellectual property rights can either support or hinder post-war reconstruction efforts. It also aimed to investigate whether intellectual property laws contain specific provisions that can facilitate a positive impact in these exceptional circumstances. The ten-member delegation from the UCU, comprising 5 faculty members and 5 students, enriched the discourse with their diverse perspectives and insights.

As a result of the workshop, we are preparing two publications on intellectual property issues for dissemination in the UK, further extending the impact and reach of our collaborative efforts. The active engagement of the group and the outcomes of the workshop underline the importance of interdisciplinary dialogue and academic collaboration in addressing complex societal challenges.

The workshop was really inspiring and stimulating for me. On the professional level, it provided an ideal setting for discussing comparative and historical perspectives on studying empire, memory, and national identity. It also offered an opportunity to meet Nottingham colleagues interested in similar topics and discuss new ideas for research collaboration and developing our joint master's programme in the Humanities. On a personal level, in this challenging time for Ukraine and UCU, Nottingham colleagues' sincere hospitality, solidarity and support were especially valuable and encouraging.

I had the opportunity to attend many seminars on humanitarian disciplines that, in one way or another, intersect with history but are aimed at addressing contemporary issues. Dr Nick Baron’s research development course was the most exciting and practical for me. It was a thrilling experience to get to know the postgraduate students at the University of Nottingham and their research interests. The cultural programme was fascinating; we had a unique opportunity to visit Stratford-upon-Avon – the birthplace of William Shakespeare and Warwick Castle. It was an excellent opportunity to get acquainted with modern British life, make new good acquaintances, and get great experiences in general.

I believe the instruments and ways of the Knowledge Exchange presented by the Nottingham instructors would impact my scholarly career. The most exciting part was being integrated into the group with local students – we shared our perspectives on making a career in Academia as a young professional, compared the doctoral studies in Ukraine and the United Kingdom, and discussed novelties in methodologies and influences of politics on the Humanities. Thank you again for making this exchange possible.

I was very glad to be a part of this amazing internship. I had a wonderful experience visiting Nottingham University and interacting with its students and teachers. It was an extremely interesting and remarkable trip. I hope it was the first but not the last time I visited this pretty city with friendly students and your university.

The skills gained and the connections established with researchers from The English Place-Name Society and researchers from the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, who are also participating in the training programs in Nottingham, will undoubtedly have a positive impact on future joint projects. Thank you again for this opportunity of study and academic collaboration.

• * This project was funded through the UK-Ukraine R&I twinning grants scheme, funded by a £5m UKRI grant awarded by Research England. The investment, which was delivered by UUKi, saw partnered institutions collaborating on and building their capacity in research and innovation. It also enabled UK universities to scale up and sustain their commitment to working with their Ukrainian partners. 33 partnered projects delivered their final outputs in February 2024. The UK-Ukraine R&I twinning grants scheme was open to UK higher education institutions involved in the UK-Ukraine University Twinning Initiative coordinated by Cormack Consultancy Group (CCG). The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office have supported the operation of the Twinning Initiative with over £400,000 of funding since 2022.