An address by Olha Burova, WAPOR national representative for Ukraine
Dear colleagues!
My name is Olha Burova, I am a researcher from Ukraine. Just like you, I am living through hard times, but I am trying with all my strength to withstand today’s troubles and to move forward. My alma mater is the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, while my candidate’s degree, like my experience in academic sociology, I gained at the Institute of Sociology of the NAS of Ukraine, where I still work today.
I gained my experience of international cooperation through productive work with our European colleagues abroad. Now is precisely the time when it is possible and necessary to improve awareness in the West of Ukrainian sociology, its researchers and the results of public opinion studies. The year 2022 showed a high level of scholarly enthusiasm; many conferences and round tables were held, and we continue to conduct research. Our colleagues abroad rate this very highly, given the situation in which we all find ourselves.
Recently, thanks to the support of my colleagues, I became a WAPOR national representative. This decision rests on faith in my fellow sociologists and in our shared potential. I want this position to help expand our national consolidation on the scale of the civilised world and, in particular, among foreign colleagues who study public opinion. In the role of national representative for Ukraine at WAPOR I will focus on disseminating reliable data about Ukrainian sociology, on seeking opportunities to carry out research projects of nationwide significance, and on providing professional assistance to colleagues.
At this stage I would like to draw your attention to a number of important points connected with WAPOR’s activity in Ukraine:
• Joining WAPOR will take only 15 minutes of your time; if you are experiencing financial difficulties, the WAPOR Ukraine Support Fund is ready to cover all membership costs. You can find out more about joining WAPOR here: https://wapor.org/membership/how-to-join/
• In September this year a conference will take place in Salzburg; any WAPOR member may submit abstracts for the conference through their personal account; the length of a submission is 500 words; the deadline is 23 April. At this conference WAPOR will organise a special session devoted to the war in Ukraine, so the participation of Ukrainian public opinion specialists is highly desirable. It is planned that the male participants, who are not allowed to travel abroad, will take part online.
• Together with colleagues I plan to organise a committee to select abstracts whose authors will receive financial support covering the costs of the conference. I therefore ask those who wish to take advantage of this opportunity to send their abstracts not only to WAPOR but also to my email: olga.burova@i-soc.org.ua
I also attach a translation and the original letter from Timothy Johnson, one of WAPOR’s leaders, with an address to all of us:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UW8z1dVx4NOQNY6VzaESbDWxJQclnGps/view?usp=share_link
I will be glad to hear your feedback, questions and ideas.
I am ready to discuss any constructive initiatives in the field of public opinion research.
Yours sincerely,
Olha Burova
Institute of Sociology of the NAS of Ukraine
National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The country's leading sociology research institution, founded in 1990.