Eureast Platform's Visiting Fellow Mykola Ryabchuk shares Insights from his Research Stay at Ghent University

Mykola Ryabchuk, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Political and Nationalities' Studies, recently completed his research stay at Ghent University  in the framework of the Eureast Platform short-term fellowship programme. During his research visit, Professor Ryabchuk worked on the project "Mapping a 'Nowhere Nation': 'Imperial Knowledge,' Subaltern Invisibility, and the Development of Political Agency." This project intends to be published as a scholarly article and a book chapter.

Throughout his research stay, Professor Ryabchuk collaborated closely with his Ghent University promotor, Dr. Fabienne Bossuyt, and Louise Amoris on a joint research project. His collaborative efforts extended beyond his hosting department, the Ghent Institute for International and European Politics, encompassing diverse academic departments.

Engaging discussions took place with Dr. Alexey Yudin from the Faculty of Arts and Philosophy, and also a member of the Eureast Platform’s knowledge center Ukraine-plus. These discussions centered on themes related to Ukrainian and Russian identity. Ryabchuk also established connections with Katsiaryna Lozka, a research scholar from the Ghent Institute for International and European Studies and a member of the Ukraine-plus knowledge center, focusing on contemporary Belarusian issues.

Mykola Ryabchuk additionally provided comprehensive consultations on Ukraine-related topics and methodological matters to Iuliia Anosova, a postdoctoral researcher at the Human Rights Center of the Faculty of Law and Criminology.

"Ghent University has a unique combination of specialists who deal not only with East European Politics and International Relations but also Postcolonial Studies that was tempting for me to apply some of the latter approaches to the East European milieu." 
Mykola Ryabchuk

Finally, Professor Ryabchuk conducted a research seminar titled "Mapping a ‘Nowhere Nation’: The Toxic Spell of ‘Imperial Knowledge’ and the Challenges of Decolonization." This seminar facilitated engaging exchanges with colleagues from diverse academic departments.

Mykola Ryabchuk considers promising collaborations with his colleagues at Ghent University in the future. He intends to complete a scholarly article with co-authors Louise Amoris and Fabienne Bossuyt which will be submitted for a special issue of a refereed journal.

Read more about the Eureast Platform’ short-term fellowship programme: click here