UK Partner
Leah Fox, Principal Lecturer in Criminal Investigation School of Criminal Justice Studies/FHSS
Ukraine Partner
Svitlana Filyppova, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Director Institute of Economics and Management
Project objectives
This proposed project is aligned with Ministry of Education and Science Research Priorities (2022-2026): Research of issues relating to social inequality, tension and conflicts, aiming to identify socio-economic support for the Human Potential Development and Reducing the Level of Population’s Social Vulnerability.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as many as twelve million people, or about a quarter of the population of Ukraine, have been displaced (United Nations, 2022); this would be the largest war-related mass migration since the Balkan Wars of the 1990s. Many of these civilians, the whom are vulnerable groups such as women and children, have not left the country and are in need of urgent protection and support. There are report of gender-based violence including sexual exploitation and conflict related sexual violence.
Once the conflict ends there will continue to be a large number of refugees, displaced citizens and trauma victims who will require urgent help and assistance, including financial and psychosocial support. Identifying how the conflict continues to affect these vulnerable groups (women and children) and identifying strategies and interventions to protect their health, wellbeing and human rights will enable them to live free from harm and abuse and thus contribute towards sustainable development and welfare of Ukraine.
The UK researcher is a native Russian speaker (of Ukrainian ancestry)
Project goals
Access to basic services, including health and social care and information by women and children is severely disrupted during conflict. Gender-based violence is pervasive with many cases being unknown/under-reported. Children, particularly, young and infants are among those most at risk for the negative effects of a conflict and they represent a significant portion of those who endure the devastating long-lasting consequences of disasters, including this current war with Russia.
In collaboration with Odesa Polytechnic National University, this joint project will examine the impact of he ongoing conflict on affected women and children, and identify current strategies being put in place by organisations tasked with safeguarding and working with these groups during this time. Odesa Polytechnic National University have experience in working with social projects under the programs of the IOM, the International Charitable Fund "Caritas Ukraine", the Charitable Fund "Caritas Odesa" (the circle of local "Caritas" can be expanded) with vulnerable segments of the population (https://economics.net.ua/files /portfolio/s.v.filyppova.pdf ).
The proposed joint research project aims are:
1.To identify how the conflict with Russia has affected and continues to affect women and children of Ukraine and the effect increased levels of traumatic experiences and exposure to violence continues to have on their physical and mental wellbeing;
2. Evaluate the existing levels of support and services being provided to these vulnerable groups by dedicated governmental and non-governmental organisations and suggest any post-conflict reconstruction solutions with an aim to promote the use of gender perspectives in the development of policy of the state and cities hosting these vulnerable population groups.
The project objectives are to:
- To assess the extent and impact of trauma exposure on women and children of conflict
- To identify types of vulnerable groups
- To determine the extent and scope of interventions, including any barriers and facilitators, readiness of the environment and society to "accept" new vulnerable population groups
- Identify post -conflict strategies and solutions to support the reintegration and re-socialisation of women and children back into society
The project will utilise a mixed method approach. Focus group interviews with the assistance and guidance of a dedicated licensed mental health therapist will be carried out with 60 vulnerable women and children.
An online survey of 200 professional in social services, NGO organisations, charitable foundations and volunteer organizations, individual volunteers will identify the interventions in place, including any barriers and facilitators of these . The online survey will be conducted anonymously, information about it will be distributed through Facebook and Instagram social networks, professional Viber groups (All- Ukrainian Association of Marketing, Management and Business Education, Viber groups and groups ofother networks that support scientific research) The follow up interviews (up to 30) will be conducted with up to 30 municipality strategic leaders responsible of strategy and social welfare planning. These leaders will include heads of units of local authorities - Odesa City Council, territorial united communities in Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions
Role of each Partner
The University of Portsmouth partner:
- In collaboration with the Ukrainian partner will identify the scope of the project
- In collaboration with the Ukrainian partner will undertake follow up interviews (online) with key municipality leaders (Odessa) responsible interventions
- In collaboration with the Ukrainian partner will analyse findings of 2 surveys and focus groups with vulnerable victims
- Co-jointly write a report and publications
The Odesa Polytechnic partner:
- In collaboration with the UK partner will identify the scope of the project;
- With the assistance of a dedicated and licensed therapist will conduct focus groups interviews (face to face with the vulnerable groups)
- Will undertake field work by conducting an online survey (with practitioners in Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson regions, regional expansion is possible)
- In collaboration with the UK partner will undertake follow up interviews (online) with key municipality leaders (Odessa) responsible interventions
- In collaboration with the UK partner will analyse findings of a survey and focus groups interviews
- Co-jointly write a report and publications
Timing
Project Start Date: w/c 23rd January 2023
Project End Date: w/c 15th August 2023
Expected results
1. An analytical report in English and Ukrainian, to be disseminated on the website of Odesa Polytechnic economic scientific portal: https://economics.net.ua/analytics
2. Reports at scientific conferences (ex. https://economics.net.ua/en/conferences;
3. Publications in 3 specialised journals (ex. https://economics.net.ua/en/journal, https://economics.net.ua/en/journal-print, https://mdt-opu.com. ua/index.php/mdt )
4. A package of proposals for the Odesa City Economic and Social Development Strategy
(https://omr.gov.ua/images/File/DODATKI_2016/sessia_XII/Strat_05_17.pdf), item 1.10 of the strategy
