2027 Ukrainian Studies Conference

The Duty of the Good Life: Ukrainian Perspectives on Living on the Edge

March 18–20, 2027
University of Notre Dame

In the wake of the 2025 inaugural conference, “Revolutions of Hope: Resilience and Recovery in Ukraine,” the Ukrainian Studies Hub, in partnership with the Ukrainian Catholic University, invites scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to the 2027 biennial gathering, “The Duty of the Good Life: Ukrainian Perspectives on Living on the Edge.”

This conference theme is informed by the 2026-27 Notre Dame Forum theme announced by University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C.: “What Does It Mean to Live a Good Life?” The “Good Life” is often associated with peace, prosperity, and even—problematically—the absence of struggle. Yet for a nation living under the shadow of existential threat, the Good Life is redefined. It is no longer an abstraction or a comfort; it is a moral duty. To live well—to pursue truth, beauty, and dignity while standing in solidarity against destruction—is a profound act of resistance.

This conference explores how the Good Life is sought and embodied not beyond struggle, but through it. We will examine the responsibility to remain faithful, human, and functional even when circumstances are harsh. By investigating the intersections of law, technology, health, and the humanities, we seek to understand how a nation on “the edge” secures its future through the intentional protection of human dignity and the proactive building of a resilient society. We hope to address the question of how one can preserve a commitment to integral human development in the face of “integral human destruction.”

This event will serve as the second biennial conference of the Ukrainian Studies Hub at Notre Dame—a center of research, scholarship, and practice at the Nanovic Institute within the Keough School of Global Affairs. The event is administered in partnership with Notre Dame Global, Notre Dame Research, and the Department of German, Slavic, and Eurasian Studies, among others at Notre Dame. The Hub connects world-class scholars at Notre Dame leading Ukraine-centered projects across disciplines. In conversation with UCU and other partners near and far, the Hub is committed to victory and justice in Ukraine, sustaining resilience and the decades-long process of rebuilding and recovery.

Call for Papers

There is currently a call for papers for this conference open through September 1, 2026.

Submit Your Proposal

The call asks for papers addressing the topic from several key multidisciplinary lenses:

Justice and the Rule of Law

• Preserving and strengthening democratic institutions during active conflict.
• The evolution of the Constitution of Ukraine as a framework for sustainable peace.
• The role of the rule of law in navigating the complexities of post-war recovery and in pursuing accountability for the crime of aggression.

Science, Technology, and Security

• Applied sciences as instruments of war deterrence and life protection.
• Technological solutions for reducing societal vulnerability.
• Building long-term state resilience through innovation in the face of existential threats.

Vitality, Health, and Social Integrity

• Restoring physical, mental, and social integrity at the individual and community levels.
• The role of Resilience Centers and mutual aid in sustainable recovery.
• Psychology, social work, and therapy as foundations for “life after trauma” and full participation in society.

Identity, Narrative, and Cultural Security

• The humanities as a tool for reinterpreting tradition and shaping contemporary national identity.
• Addressing epistemic injustice against Ukraine within global academic and political contexts.
• Articulating a Ukrainian agenda that guarantees cultural security and future-building.

Philosophy and Theology of Responsibility

• Christian perspectives on the Good Life amidst suffering: Can one live well if a neighbor suffers?
• The ethical obligation to remain human under dehumanizing circumstances.
• The duty to rebuild with dignity, truth, and beauty.

Business, Economy, and Total Defense

• How do institutions work together to sustain the Good Life under existential threat?
• Business continuity, economic adaptability, and social enterprise during prolonged war.
• “Total defense” frameworks and whole-of-society resilience as models for national functionality and endurance.

Look for more details in the CFP form.