Education As Infrastructure
Researchers in Ukraine call for education to be treated as infrastructure during wartime
Introduction To Education As Infrastructure
Researchers in Ukraine are calling for education to be treated as infrastructure during wartime, highlighting the importance of protecting scientific capacity and training in the face of conflict. This comes as the Ukrainian Biological Data Science Summer School (UBDS3) continues to thrive, providing a unique opportunity for students and early-career researchers to engage with world-class scientists and develop their skills in biological data science.
Background And Context
The war in Ukraine has had a devastating impact on the country's scientific infrastructure, with laboratories and instruments destroyed, and human networks disrupted. However, the UBDS3 has shown that it is possible to maintain and even build scientific capacity in the face of conflict. The school, which is held in person at Uzhhorod National University in western Ukraine, has been running since 2023 and has already had a significant impact, with over 100 students participating in the first year alone. 
Methodology And Design Principles
The UBDS3 has been designed with resilience in mind, with three key design principles that have contributed to its success. The first is the use of decentralized, cloud-based computing, which allows research to continue even when local facilities are damaged or disrupted. The second is a "train-the-trainer" structure, in which former students return as instructors, creating a self-renewing pipeline of talent and expertise. The third is a non-extractive type of international collaboration, in which partners contribute expertise and access without recruiting participants permanently away. These principles have allowed the school to thrive, even in the face of significant challenges.
Key Findings And Implications
The success of the UBDS3 has significant implications for the way we think about education and scientific capacity in the face of conflict. By treating education as infrastructure, we can help to protect and build scientific capacity, even in the most challenging circumstances. This approach also highlights the importance of international collaboration and the need for non-extractive partnerships that prioritize the needs and interests of local communities. As Taras Oleksyk, one of the main instigators of the school, notes, "My objective is to bring as much expertise to Uzhhorod as I can in whatever time I have left and turn it into the Cambridge of Ukraine."
Future Outlook And Applications
The UBDS3 is just one example of the potential for education to be treated as infrastructure during wartime. The principles and approaches developed through this initiative could be applied in a wide range of contexts, from other conflict zones to areas affected by natural disasters or economic instability. By prioritizing education and scientific capacity, we can help to build more resilient and sustainable communities, even in the face of significant challenges. As Roderic Guigó notes, "It is an irreplaceable experience for the trainers. It is a sobering reminder of both how privileged we are and how fragile the stability of the world we live in is."
Sources
This is an original synthesis by Qivorane based on reporting from the outlets below.