Karazin University, in collaboration with the University of York, participated in a seminar as part of the Kharkiv-York Partnership Towards a Zero Pollution Environment in Post-War Ukraine project

On August 29-30, 2023, a seminar was held at the University of York in the United Kingdom as part of the Kharkiv-York Partnership Towards a Zero Pollution Environment in Post-War Ukraine project. 14 doctoral students and lecturers from Karazin University attended the seminar.

Speakers at the seminar included Professor Abrouz Field, Vice-Chancellor of the University of York; Professor Neil Bruce, Director of the Centre for Novel Agricultural Products at the University of York; Professor Alister Boxall, the project lead from the University of York; researchers Anna McKean and Johann Darbisher from the Conflict and Environment Observatory.

Professor Boris Samorodov, Vice-Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work; Professor Andriy Achasov, Acting Head of the Department of Ecology and Environmental Management; and Associate Professor Hanna Titenko, Director of the Educational and Scientific Institute of Ecology delivered presentations. The seminar focused on achieving a clean environment in post-war Ukraine, including the development of transgenic plants for the phytoremediation of pollution from explosive materials.

During the seminar, possibilities for joint research and collaboration with the University of York were discussed to find ways to combat environmental pollution, assess and restore Ukrainian soils contaminated by war. Significant attention was also given to setting priorities and seeking funding for future joint projects.

The seminar marked the culmination of the summer school and summarized the previous collaborative efforts of British and Ukrainian researchers within the research project Kharkiv-York Partnership Towards a Zero Pollution Environment in Post-War Ukraine. Representatives of Karazin University and the University of York look forward to new exciting projects and joint initiatives that will further expand and deepen their ongoing collaboration.