The paper “Remote opportunities for scholars in Ukraine” published in Science highlights the devastation caused by Russia’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine, particularly its impact on academic institutions and researchers. Despite the vital importance of the initiatives created to support Ukrainian scientists who left due to the conflict, little aid has been provided to those who remain. The article emphasizes the need for short- and long-term opportunities and essential skills training for these researchers, particularly in computational and collaborative disciplines. Hybrid scientific conferences with remote participation and waived fees are suggested as another way to engage Ukrainian scientists remaining in the country. Such support can strengthen the Ukrainian scientific community, foster international collaborations, and, in the long run, contribute significantly to the country’s post-war recovery.
Another paper, “Scientists without borders: lessons from Ukraine”, recently published in GigaScience, proposes effective strategies to support scientists and students in hardship, drawing insights from the Ukrainian context. The article discusses the opportunities that emerged in the first days after the war began and analyzes the largest publicly available database, #scienceforukraine. It reiterates that existing initiatives still mostly target those who were able to leave the country, and those who remain face extreme instability as many universities are either closed or relocated and research funding is cut or frozen. The paper then emphasizes the urgent need for a combined strategy that would provide remote positions and training to help Ukrainian science withstand difficult times, setting a precedent for other vulnerable scientific communities. It presents several effective mechanisms for remote support of scientists at risk and highlights the potential of the transition to computational data-driven research, as many skills can be taught remotely and accessed from anywhere in the world. By integrating new research domains through this approach, the recovery of science in Ukraine could be expedited compared to traditional physical infrastructure restoration.