Ukrainian scientists are departing the country en masse, while those who opt to stay are discontinuing their endeavors

According to a study published in the journal Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Ukraine has witnessed the departure of almost one-fifth of its scientific community since the onset of the military conflict.

The study was conducted through a survey and reveals that approximately 18.5% of scientists have emigrated from Ukraine between the start of the conflict and the autumn of 2022. A significant majority among them were actively involved in various research pursuits.

It’s worth noting that a considerable segment of these departing scientists held what were termed ‘unreliable contracts’ with the institutions they were affiliated with. Among the scientists who remained in Ukraine, around 15% have ceased their scientific activities altogether. The survey also indicated that nearly a quarter (23.5%) of respondents have lost access to crucial research materials, while about one-fifth (20.8%) lack physical access to academic institutions.