The Geographical Dimension of Ukrainian Statehood: from Academician Stepan Rudnitsky’s Concepts to Current International Initiatives of the Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (2022—2025)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15407/sofs2026.02.151Keywords:
history of science and technology, institutionalization of science, Ukrainian statehood, Institute of Geography of the NAS of Ukraine, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, international cooperation, sustainable development, post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, Stepan RudnytskyAbstract
This article presents the results of a science-history analysis into the evolution of geographical substantiation of the Ukrainian statehood through the prism of ideas articulated by the founder of Ukrainian geographical science, Academician Stepan Rudnytsky (early 20th century), along with current areas in research and international activities of the Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in time of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war (2022—2025). The study builds on historical-geographical, comparative-historical, chronological, system-functional, and interdisciplinary methods. It demonstrates that S. Rudnytsky’s ideas about comprehensive studies of ethnic lands and practical use of geographic knowledge for nation-building and economic growth continue to influence current research at the Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. Emphasis is placed on the Institute’s main activities during wartime: developing geospatial systems for defense, evaluating the environmental impacts of the conflict, and planning strategies for post-war reconstruction and community spatial planning. A dedicated section highlights the Institute’s international collaborations, including participation in the activities of the International Geographical Union, joining the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, strengthening ties with the Polish Academy of Sciences, and other initiatives. These efforts showcase a practical application of S. Rudnytsky’s ideas and achievements in Ukrainian geography amidst integration into European and global scientific communities, overcoming the historical isolation of Ukraine, and making geography a tool for national security, sustainable development, and environmental rehabilitation, i.e. actions aiming to repair environmental damage caused by the armed conflict. The conclusions stress that the Institute’s current international initiatives are vital for Ukraine’s post-war recovery, European integration, and contribution to global scientific discourse, serving as a natural extension of S. Rudnytsky’s scientific legacy.
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