Annual Conference 2025 “Organizations and Institutions in Times of War: Ukraine, Eastern Europe and Beyond”
How do organizations and institutions change in times of war? What roles do state, societal, and economic actors play during and after violent conflict? These questions were at the heart of our Annual Conference 2025 on 9-11 October 2025 at the University of Regensburg.
Scholars from twelve countries - including Germany, Ukraine, Estonia, Poland, Canada, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, the UK, France, Italy, USA, and Kosovo - shared their perspectives and research findings.
Over the course of three days, the conference featured more than 45 speakers addressing such topics as the transformation of democracy and governance during war, the role of religion, education, and academia in times of crisis, the adaptation of legal and economic institutions, and the ways in which media, knowledge production, and leadership shape societies under extreme conditions.
Keynote speeches by Klaus Meyer (Ivey Business School, Canada), Wilfried Jilge (German Council on Foreign Relations, Germany), and Amelia Glaser (University of San Diego, USA) became highlights of the conference.
Beyond the formal discussions, the event also served as an important space for networking and fostering new connections among participants from academia, civil society, and the private sector.
The full program of the conference is available here.
Key Thematical Take-Aways
The conference explored the multifaceted transformations triggered by the ongoing war in Ukraine. Participants reflected on its disruptive character and the profound ethical dilemmas it creates for individuals, institutions, and international partners. Despite these challenges, numerous speakers emphasized signs of hope - the remarkable resilience of Ukrainian society and business, as well as innovative entrepreneurial and civic initiatives that continue to emerge under difficult circumstances.
Discussions addressed key governance issues, such as the implementation of anti-corruption measures, the development of digital democracy, and the pressing need to strengthen public and interpersonal trust, particularly in business contexts. The role of external actors was described as both important and ambiguous: while international support remains vital for Ukraine, it also raises dilemmas - such as the brain drain caused by Ukrainian researchers and professionals building careers abroad.
Other contributions focused on the transformation of religious life, the evolution of Ukrainian cultural and NGO activities abroad, and shifting attitudes toward Ukrainian refugees and migrants. Participants highlighted that Ukrainian Studies abroad remain underdeveloped, with much academic research still centered on Russia, pointing to an urgent need for intellectual and institutional emancipation.
The conference concluded with a call to increase engagement and resilience at the institutional level, ensuring that Ukraine’s progress is both sustainable and inclusive.
We are thankful to our participants for their interesting contributions during the Annual Conference 2025 and wish them continued success in their work!
The Annual Conference 2025 “Organizations and Institutions in Times of War: Ukraine, Eastern Europe and Beyond” was organized by Prof. Dr. Thomas Steger (University of Regensburg, Think Space Ukraine) and Dr. Oleksandr Zabirko (University of Regensburg, Think Space Ukraine), principal investigators of the research area Regional Diversity: Comparing Industrial and Border Regions at the Center for Interdisciplinary Ukrainian Studies “Denkraum Ukraine” (“Think Space Ukraine”) at the University of Regensburg, financed by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) through the funds of the Federal Foreign Office (AA).