“At NIBR, we have extensive expertise on Ukraine. We’ve been active in the country since 2008, working locally on various projects involving ethnic groups, identity, and political reforms. We also have strong competence on the reception side of the refugee chain, having long studied asylum law developments, settlement, and integration reforms in Norway and Europe,” says Aadne Aasland, one of NIBR’s leading experts on Ukraine, and initiator of the research network on Ukraine, Ukrainett (uni.oslomet.no).
The network was established in 2022, and consists of over 100 researchers and experts in Norway with interest and knowledge about Ukraine.
Award for outstanding contribution
UKRAINETT has been awarded the Ukrainian Studies Distinguished Award by the Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies.
The award was received on behalf of UKRAINETT by Aadne Aasland. Photo: Global Coalition of Ukrainian Studies
The award was presented during the official opening ceremony of the international conference Ukraine in the World, at the Lviv National Opera on 8 July 2026.
The Global Coalition recognized UKRAINETT for its outstanding contribution to establishing a nationwide interdisciplinary network for research on Ukraine in Norway, supporting Ukrainian scholars, developing international research collaboration, and disseminating scientifically grounded knowledge about Ukraine within both Norwegian and international academic communities.
The award was received on behalf of UKRAINETT by its leader, Research Professor Aadne Aasland.
“We are deeply honored to receive this recognition,” said Aadne Aasland, “It is really a recognition of the collective efforts of everyone who has contributed to building UKRAINETT over the past four years. We are particularly pleased that the award also acknowledges the close cooperation we have developed with our Ukrainian partners.”
Strengthening research networks
The Research Council of Norway has granted NOK 4.5 million to further develop the UKRAINETT network. The expanded project, UKRAINETT+, includes a branch in Ukraine, consisting of universities and research institutions.
“Ukrainian partners help ensure research results are presented to and discussed with decision-makers at national, regional, and local levels in Ukraine. This way, research conducted by both Norwegian and Ukrainian scholars can contribute to informed policy and societal development,” said Aasland.
Active communicators
In addition to driving the research network, NIBR’s Ukraine researchers are enthusiastic communicators of knowledge. In 2023, the academic community received OsloMet’s Communication Award, worth NOK 150.000, to further strengthen their outreach and profiling.
“Ukraine research at NIBR is a true team effort. Numerous researchers have contributed over 15 years. When Russia launched a full-scale war in February 2022, there was an urgent need for the knowledge many NIBR researchers had developed,” said Geir Heierstad, Director of NIBR, during the award ceremony.
NIBR was also active when OsloMet signed a cooperation agreement in 2022 with V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University in Ukraine.
Read the latest report
In January 2026, NIBR published the fourth report on how Ukrainian refugees in Norway are faring, on behalf of the Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi).
Access the report (nva.sikt.no)
