Understanding the War in Ukraine: A Panel with SFU Experts
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shocked the world and has left many of us grappling to understand what this means, how it happened and what we can do.
Join us for a panel discussion with SFU experts on Russian history and foreign policy, cyberwarfare and dis/misinformation, international security, diplomacy and refugee crises. Each expert will give a short presentation on their area of expertise as it relates to the war in Ukraine, with space for questions and discussion.
This event is hosted by SFU Public Square and the School for International Studies at Simon Fraser University.
Panelists
Ilya Vinkovetsky — Associate Professor, Department of History
Topic: 19th-century Russian history and colonial practices and their influence on today’s war
Nicole Jackson — Associate Professor and Chair of Graduate Studies, School for International Studies
Topic: Russia’s military involvement in conflicts in former Soviet space and what this war means for Russia and the region
Svitlana Matviyenko — Assistant Professor of Critical Media Analysis, School of Communication
Topic: Matviyenko is currently teaching courses remotely from Ukraine and keeping a war diary about her experience. She will speak about digital militarism, dis- and misinformation, and cyberwar.
Paul Meyer — Fellow in International Security and Adjunct Professor, School for International Studies
Topic: Responses to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine from the United Nations, NATO and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
James Horncastle — Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities, and Edward and Emily McWhinney Professor in International Relations
Topic: The refugee crisis and humanitarian response
Moderator
Megan MacKenzie — Professor and Simons Chair in International Law and Human Security, School for International Studies
Watch the full recording
Further reading and resources
Ways to support people in Ukraine
- SFU's Threatened Scholars and Students Fund supports at-risk international scholars and students to safely continue their education and research in times of war and international conflict.
- The Association of United Ukrainian Canadians (AUUC) Vancouver is fundraising to purchase medical supplies and equipment for people in Ukraine.
- Global Citizen has an ongoing list of places to donate, ways to stay informed, and other actions to take. They are keeping the list up to date as the situation and people's needs evolve.
- The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Canada is raising funds to help families in Ukraine and neighbouring countries who have been forced to flee their homes.
- The Canadian Association of Slavists has a list of resources including support for academics at Canadian institutions, humanitarian initiatives, and accommodation and jobs for displaced persons.
Interviews and writing from our panelists on the war in Ukraine
- Dispatches from the Place of Imminence — Svitlana Matviyenko’s war diary on the Institute of Network Cultures blog
- "Disinformation expert in Ukraine" — CBC's The Early Edition with Stephen Quinn (April 13, 2022)
- "The Russian invasion shows how digital technologies have become involved in all aspects of war" — Katharina Niemeyer, Dominique Trudel, Heidi J. S. Tworek, Maria Silina and Svitlana Matviyenko, The Conversation (March 28, 2022)
- “SFU professor shares experience living and teaching in war-torn Ukraine” — Heather Sanders, SFU (March 21, 2022)
- “Russia’s actions in post-Soviet wars provide clues to its brutal Ukraine invasion” — Nicole Jackson, The Conversation (March 16, 2022)
- “‘I am where I should be’: Simon Fraser University professor in Ukraine teaches virtually” — Elizabeth McSheffrey and Kamil Karamali, Global News (March 15, 2022)
- “SFU professor in Ukraine longs for peace as sirens blare” — Hina Alam, Vancouver Sun (March 14, 2022)
- "The world can understand the new Russia through three decades of regional conflicts" — Nicole Jackson, The Globe and Mail (March 3, 2022)
- "Episode 39: Cyberwar and revolution with Svitlana Matviyenko" — Below the Radar podcast, SFU's Vancity Office of Community Engagement (February 18, 2020)
Wed, April 13, 2022
9:30AM (PT)
Online Event
Sponsors
- School for International Studies
- SFU Public Square