Early Career Workshop of the German-Ukrainian Historical Commission in Odesa (2016)

From 27 to 31 October 2016, the German-Ukrainian Historical Commission organised an international early career workshop in Odesa in cooperation with the I. I. Mechnikov National University of Odesa. The workshop focused on the theme “Memories of the Second World War in Ukraine and Germany.”

The event was led by Prof. Dr Polina Barvinska and PD Dr Kai Struve and brought together young historians from Ukraine and Germany. Its primary aim was to foster academic exchange and explore different perspectives on memory cultures.

The programme included scholarly presentations, project discussions, and thematic sessions addressing issues such as public memory, Holocaust remembrance, and the political uses of history. In addition, participants visited key sites of memory in Odesa, including the Holocaust Museum and local memorial complexes.

Participants particularly emphasised the high level of academic exchange and the value of receiving feedback on their research from both senior scholars and peers. The workshop provided an important platform for presenting ongoing research and engaging in critical discussion.

The event also highlighted the importance of transnational cooperation in historical research and significantly contributed to strengthening networks between early career scholars from Ukraine and Germany.