Summer School: Russia’s War Against Ukraine and New Spaces of Security and Insecurity in Europe

Location: Ghent (with a day-long field trip to Brussels)

ECTS Credits: 3 ECTS

About the Summer School

The Russia’s War Against Ukraine and New Spaces of Security and Insecurity in Europe Summer School offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding one of Europe’s most pressing contemporary challenges: the insecurities triggered by Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. This program invites students to explore the multifaceted consequences of Russia’s full-scale invasion on European security, national identities.

The Summer School will offer an in-depth exploration of the profound shifts in security, geopolitics, and identity triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Bringing together students, scholars, and experts, it will provide a platform to critically examine the ways in which this war has reshaped mental maps, national identities, and broader geopolitical frameworks.

At the heart of the program are pressing questions: How has Russia’s aggression transformed perceptions of security in Europe and beyond? Why has the perspective from Eastern Europe and post-Soviet spaces been historically overlooked, and what can be learned from centering these voices? What policies—at the European, national, and regional levels—can help address the emerging insecurities in political, social, and economic domains?

Participants will engage with a range of key topics, including the evolving roles of the EU and NATO in shaping European security, lessons from past integration efforts, and the future of European political and economic cooperation. The program will also examine the cultural and political implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the impact of the conflict on national identities and borders, and the development of regional security frameworks.

This Summer School is a collaborative effort between four leading universities: the University of Tartu, Ghent University, the Université de Bordeaux, and Comenius University in Bratislava. In 2025, it is hosted by Faculty of Law and Criminology, and Eureast Platform’s Ukraine+ Knowledge Centre.

Program Highlights

Expert-led Lectures: In-depth discussions led by scholars and professionals from top universities.

Interactive Exercises: Challenge-based learning, collaborative problem-solving, and critical analysis.

Site Visits: Explore key European institutions, including the European Parliament (trip to Brussels).

Cultural Immersion: Film screenings, excursions, and networking opportunities with peers from across Europe.

Student-Centered Learning: Engage in debates, simulations, and hands-on activities that encourage interdisciplinary thinking.

Detailed programme

Program Costs

There is no participation fee. Accommodation for 5 nights is covered by the program (University of Ghent). Additionally, coffee breaks and lunches will be provided during the Summer School.

Students are responsible for their travel expenses.

Application Requirements

• Open to all master's students from ENLIGHT universities
• Strong interest in European security, international relations, and/or Eastern European studies
• English proficiency (the program will be conducted in English)

How to Apply

Please submit the following materials by 15 June to ukraine_plus@ugent.be

• A motivational letter (max. 500 words) outlining your interest in the topic and how it relates to your academic and professional goals
• A current CV
• A letter of recommendation from a faculty member

Selected candidates will be notified by 30 June, 2025.