Nature and Wars Seminar 5: Research and education in wartime conditions

"Ukrainian Herbaria in wartime conditions"
Natalia Shyian (M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany of the NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine)
Abstract: As the history of wars shows, herbaria, as the cultural and scientific heritage of humankind, are very vulnerable during armed conflicts. The experience of Ukrainian herbaria demonstrates that modern warfare, which is reaching a new technological level, poses the greatest threat to herbarium collections in their very existence. By the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian War in February 2014, 82 large and small Herbaria in Ukraine, which included nearly 5,023,000 specimens of different systematic groups, were registered. There are 12 Herbaria recognized as 'National Heritage of Ukraine'. By 2026, twelve years of military offensive have left a staggering toll: 14 herbaria remain inaccessible due to occupation, four have sustained damage, and three collections have been physically decimated.

Natalia Shiyan is a Senior Researcher at the Department of Vascular Plants of the M.G. Kholodny Institute of Botany of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, and the Head Curator of the National Herbarium of Ukraine (KW), which houses a collection of over 2,250,000 specimens. In addition to her research on taxonomy, nomenclature, phytogeography, and conservation of the flora of Ukraine, she has devoted more than 25 years to herbarium management. In recent years, her work has focused on assessing the herbarium fund of Ukraine and its preservation in crisis situations.

“Science at Risk: Citizen Science and Researcher Challenges in Wartime”
Olena Kozak (National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, Kyiv, Ukraine)
Abstract: It will share insights into the realities of conducting research in wartime Ukraine. Based on personal experience and evidence from the "Science at Risk" project. It will highlight the challenges researchers face every day during the last four years, from air attacks and blackouts to destroyed infrastructure and limited field access. The presentation will also reveal how citizen science is helping to overcome some of these barriers and what inspires Ukrainians to become volunteer contributors to research.

Dr. Olena Kozak is an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (Ukraine) and, since April 2026, a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Oulu (Finland). With more than ten years of experience, Olena focuses on research, consulting, analytics, and education. Her work spans vegetation ecology, biodiversity monitoring, the impacts of climate change and war on biodiversity, invasive species, citizen science, and innovative learning approaches. Olena has been also an active member of the NGO "UEC "Green Wave" for nearly five years, where she works on the preservation of urban green spaces and promotes citizen engagement in assessing ecosystem services of trees using i-Tree tools.

“Displaced University of Ukraine - the experience of Vasyl` Stus Donetsk National University”
Oleksandra Mashtaler (Vasyl` Stus Donetsk National University, Vinnytsia, Ukraine)
Abstract: The experience of the Vasyl Stus Donetsk National University as a displaced university, which moved in 2014 due to the armed aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, is presented. After moving from Donetsk to Vinnytsia, the university lost a significant part of its material and technical base, but gradually resumed its academic and research activities in new conditions. Special attention is paid to the training of students in the specialties "Biology and Biochemistry" and "Ecology", updating and development of educational programs, including laboratory and field studies. The report highlights institutional sustainability, curriculum adaptation, and the role of the academic community in rebuilding quality higher education.

Oleksandra Mashtaler — Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Botany and Ecology, Vasyl Stus Donetsk National University. In 1997–2002, she studied at this university with a degree in Ecology and Environmental Protection. In 2007, she defended her PhD thesis in the specialty "Ecology" and received the degree of Candidate of Biological Sciences. In 2011, she received the academic title of Associate Professor of the Department of Botany and Ecology. Since 2019, she has been acting head of the Department of Botany and Ecology. Research interests: bioindication, environmental monitoring, biodiversity, bryology, natural ecosystems and anthropogenically transformed areas.

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