1 March 2022

The appalling decision of the Russian Government to invade Ukraine, and the consequences of this profoundly disturbing action, will affect many people across the higher education community. We unequivocally condemn the invasion and express our support for Ukrainian universities, staff and students.

In response, we are taking the following steps: 

  • Our primary focus is on what we can do to support Ukrainian staff and students currently in the UK, and those who arrive here fleeing the conflict. However, we are also mindful of the position of Russian staff and students, many of whom oppose this conflict.  

  • We are assisting our member institutions by providing advice, providing a forum to discuss individual and collective approaches, and by using our policy influence to address issues such as visa conditions and access to financial support. We will work closely with the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) to assist them in their efforts to help at-risk academics. 

  • We are working with universities to understand more about students and staff at UK universities who are currently in Ukraine and Russia, and will work to support universities as necessary to secure the safe return of those who are at risk. We will share any concerns we hear from universities about repatriating students and staff with the UK Government as a matter of urgency.  

  • We have advised our members to review current and planned activities involving Russian partners in the light of recent developments, using our guidance on Managing Risks in Internationalisation. Further to the UK Government announcing a review of government funding for research collaborations involving Russia, we have been providing advice to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and will continue to support our members.  

  • We recognise that many education and research partnerships are often based on academic peer-to peer relationships, and note that many Russian students and academics, at great personal peril, have publicly criticised this invasion. Our Board has reiterated its commitment to the free exchange of ideas between universities and between academics, regardless of nationality or location, while recognising the importance of managing the risks associated with international collaboration.  

  • We do not support the application of blanket academic boycotts that prevent academics collaborating with other academics as a means of protest against the actions of their governments. We are therefore advising our members to make decisions about whether to continue collaborations on a case-by-case basis, informed both by UK Government guidance and appropriate due diligence. We have requested the government’s support for universities as they do this. 

  • Finally, we are looking at practical ways to support Ukrainian universities now and in the future, in partnership with our counterparts around the world. 

You can read UUK's previous statement on Ukraine from 28 February.