Oxford hosts Ukrainian academics in 2026

Key points

• Oxford hosts Ukrainian scholars and researchers.
• OUP supports displaced Ukrainian academics.
• Scholars gain access to Oxford facilities.
• Programme strengthens UK–Ukraine research ties.
• Initiative continues into 2026 academic year.

Oxford (Oxford Daily News) February 9, 2026 – Oxford has launched an expanded scheme to host Ukrainian academics and research professionals displaced by the ongoing war, building on a partnership with Oxford University Press (OUP) and the University of Oxford that began in 2022. As reported by the University’s official communications team, the initiative offers temporary academic positions, office space, library access, and integration into Oxford’s research networks for scholars whose work has been disrupted in Ukraine. The scheme is set to continue through the 2025–26 and 2026–27 academic years, reflecting Oxford’s long‑term commitment to supporting Ukrainian higher‑education professionals.

The University of Oxford and OUP describe the programme as part of a wider effort to sustain Ukrainian scholarship and to strengthen research collaboration between the UK and Ukraine. Academics accepted into the scheme are hosted within Oxford’s departments and colleges, while OUP provides additional support through access to its digital platforms, journals, and publishing resources. The University has also worked with external funders and charitable partners to help cover living costs, travel, and research expenses for participating scholars.

What is the Oxford–Ukraine academic hosting scheme?

The Oxford–Ukraine academic hosting scheme was first announced in 2022, shortly after Russia’s full‑scale invasion of Ukraine, as a response to the displacement of researchers and educators from Ukrainian universities. As outlined in the University’s official news release, the scheme aims to provide “a safe and supportive academic environment” for Ukrainian scholars so they can continue their teaching, research, and supervision activities without further interruption.

Under the programme, Ukrainian academics are appointed to temporary positions such as visiting research fellows, visiting lecturers, or research associates, typically for one or two academic years. These appointments are hosted by individual Oxford departments or faculties, which are responsible for integrating the scholars into their research groups, seminars, and teaching programmes. The University stresses that the scheme is open to scholars across disciplines, from the humanities and social sciences to science, medicine, and engineering.

How does Oxford University Press support the initiative?

Oxford University Press (OUP) has played a central role in the initiative by providing institutional backing, digital resources, and logistical support. In a statement published on its corporate website, OUP notes that it has “committed to hosting Ukrainian academics and research professionals” at its Oxford campus and within its global publishing network. The press highlights that participating scholars gain access to OUP’s extensive online journals, reference works, and e‑book platforms, which are essential tools for contemporary research.

As reported by OUP’s communications team, the partnership also involves opportunities for Ukrainian academics to collaborate with OUP editors and authors on new publications, translations, and open‑access projects.

“This collaboration not only supports displaced scholars but also enriches the global academic community by bringing Ukrainian perspectives into international scholarship,” the statement adds.

OUP has further committed to waiving or reducing certain publication fees for Ukrainian‑affiliated authors where possible, in line with its broader policy on supporting researchers affected by conflict.

Who is eligible and how are scholars selected?

Eligibility for the Oxford–Ukraine hosting scheme is restricted to academics and research professionals who were based at Ukrainian higher‑education institutions or research organisations before the war and whose work has been materially disrupted. The University’s guidance specifies that applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent research experience and be able to demonstrate an active research profile, though early‑career scholars are also encouraged to apply. Priority is given to those whose safety, livelihood, or ability to continue their work is most directly affected by the conflict.

Selection is carried out through a competitive process coordinated by the University’s central administration in collaboration with individual departments. As described in the official documentation, applications are assessed on the basis of academic merit, the feasibility of integrating the scholar into an Oxford research group, and the potential for long‑term collaboration between Oxford and Ukrainian institutions. Successful candidates are notified several months in advance of their proposed arrival date, allowing time for visa processing, relocation, and logistical arrangements.

What support do Ukrainian scholars receive in Oxford?

Once in Oxford, Ukrainian academics benefit from a package of academic, professional, and welfare support designed to ease their transition into a new environment. The University provides access to departmental offices, laboratories or research facilities where relevant, and membership of Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries system, which includes millions of physical and digital resources. Scholars are also invited to participate in seminars, workshops, and conferences hosted by their host departments, as well as broader University‑wide events.

In addition to academic integration, the University and its partner organisations offer practical assistance with housing, healthcare registration, and language support. As reported by the University’s communications office, some Ukrainian scholars have been accommodated in University‑affiliated housing or through local partner organisations that specialise in supporting displaced academics.

“The goal is to ensure that scholars can focus on their research and teaching, rather than on the day‑to‑day challenges of resettlement,” a University spokesperson is quoted as saying.

How does the scheme strengthen UK–Ukraine research ties?

A key objective of the Oxford–Ukraine academic hosting scheme is to build durable research partnerships between the UK and Ukraine that will outlast the immediate crisis. The University emphasises that many of the scholars hosted in Oxford maintain active links with their home institutions and are expected to return to Ukraine when conditions allow, taking with them new collaborations, methodologies, and networks. Joint projects initiated during their time in Oxford ranging from co‑authored papers to grant applications and international conferences are explicitly encouraged.

OUP underlines that the initiative also supports the preservation and dissemination of Ukrainian scholarship in global academic discourse.

“By hosting Ukrainian academics, we help ensure that Ukrainian voices and perspectives remain visible in international journals, monographs, and educational materials,” OUP’s statement explains.

The press has highlighted examples of Ukrainian‑led research projects on topics such as post‑war reconstruction, energy security, and cultural heritage that have been advanced through Oxford‑based collaborations.

What has been the impact so far?

Since the scheme’s launch in 2022, dozens of Ukrainian academics and research professionals have spent periods of time hosted at Oxford, according to figures cited in the University’s news release. These scholars have contributed to teaching, supervised doctoral students, and co‑authored publications with Oxford colleagues across a wide range of fields. The University reports that feedback from both Ukrainian participants and Oxford hosts has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the experience as professionally transformative and personally supportive.

One Ukrainian research fellow, speaking to the University’s communications team, described the scheme as “a lifeline that allowed me to continue my work during a period of extreme uncertainty,” adding that the intellectual environment at Oxford had significantly accelerated her research agenda. Another scholar noted that the opportunity to engage with international colleagues had opened new avenues for collaboration with institutions beyond the UK, including in Europe and North America. The University stresses that these individual stories are part of a broader effort to mitigate the long‑term damage that war can inflict on higher‑education systems.

How does the 2026 phase differ from earlier years?

As the conflict enters its fifth year in 2026, the Oxford–Ukraine hosting scheme has evolved to reflect changing needs and longer‑term planning. The University has indicated that it is moving towards a more structured, multi‑year framework that allows for greater continuity in research projects and supervision commitments. Departments are being encouraged to plan hosting arrangements further in advance, aligning them with existing grant cycles and teaching schedules.

OUP has also signalled that its support will continue into the 2026–27 academic year, with a particular focus on digital and open‑access initiatives that can benefit both hosted scholars and the wider Ukrainian academic community.

“We recognise that the crisis is not short‑term, so our commitment must be sustained and adaptable,” OUP’s statement notes.

The press has pointed to new projects involving Ukrainian‑language resources, translations of key academic works, and platforms that facilitate remote collaboration between Oxford‑based scholars and colleagues still working in Ukraine