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The University of Maryland has awarded nonresidential fellowships to two distinguished Ukrainian scholars through a Big Ten Academic Alliance (BTAA) program, supporting their research in the context of the country’s ongoing fight against a full-scale Russian invasion that began nearly three years ago.
The alliance’s Nonresidential Scholars Program provides a $5,000 grant to each scholar, offering one-year visiting scholar appointments in UMD's College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) and College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS). Professors Nataliia Shlikhta and Olha Brusylovska will receive digital resource access and virtual library borrowing privileges.
Shlikhta, a leading historian from the Mohyla National Academy in Kyiv, will explore how Russia's invasion has transformed historical memory of religious life and belonging in post-Soviet spaces. With seven books and numerous international publications, Shlikhta brings expertise in religious geopolitics, particularly on the modern Greek Catholic Church. Shlikhta will be hosted by ARHU’s Department of History.
Brusylovska, chair of international relations at Odessa I. I. Mechnikov National University, will investigate Russian state propaganda and media disinformation in a global context. As founding director of the Odessa Center for Disinformation Studies and a member of multiple editorial boards, she brings insight into global communication strategies during conflict. Brusylovska will be hosted by BSOS’s Department of Government and Politics.
“I know these scholars, who have essentially been made refugees either in their own country or in neighboring countries, deeply appreciate the opportunity to access our online library resources, participating in a BTAA set of workshops and having the opportunities to network with UMD colleagues,” said Ross Lewin, associate vice president of international affairs. “I hope we can see them as part of our wonderful Terp family.”
The Nonresidential Scholars Program aims to provide a platform for continued academic work during challenging times. It was established by Indiana University in June 2022, and in this third cohort of fellows, BTAA support expands the program to eight additional Big Ten universities for a total of 30 scholars from Ukraine in social sciences and humanities. The Senior International Officers Group within the BTAA pledged matching funds for each Ukrainian fellow, doubling each university’s financial contribution. The alliance’s Dean’s Group has also pledged funds to support needs such as English-Ukrainian interpretation at all program events.
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