Early Career Workshop of the German-Ukrainian Historical Commission in Nizhyn (2018)

From 1 to 5 July 2018, the German-Ukrainian Historical Commission organised an international early career workshop at the Mykola Gogol State University in Nizhyn. The workshop focused on “Global and Transnational Perspectives on Ukrainian History from the Early Modern Period to the Present.”

The event brought together early career researchers from Ukraine, Germany, and Austria. Led by Prof. Guido Hausmann and Prof. Yaroslav Hrytsak, the workshop combined theoretical reflection on global and transnational history with the discussion of participants’ research projects.

Participants presented research covering a wide range of topics, including diplomatic history, transnational biographies, urban studies, memory cultures, and historiography. The discussions highlighted how Ukrainian history can be analysed within broader global contexts and through interdisciplinary methodological approaches.

A key focus of the workshop was the concept of “entangled history,” emphasising interconnected historical processes across borders. Participants received constructive feedback that helped refine their research questions, broaden their source base, and situate their work within international scholarship.

The academic programme was complemented by excursions that were closely linked to the workshop’s themes. Visits to university museums and local historical sites illustrated how local histories are embedded in wider transnational frameworks. A study trip to Baturyn provided further insights into early modern statehood and historical interconnectedness.

The workshop significantly contributed to the professional development of early career scholars and strengthened German-Ukrainian academic cooperation, while underscoring the importance of global and transnational approaches in historical research.