From one crisis to another, our Foundation studies various research methodologies that can be applied in real-time emergency situations and that allow for the collection of information and first-hand reports of experiences. Methodological, ethical, and operational constraints are taken into consideration to ensure rapid solutions that correspond to actual circumstances.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the Scientific Council had the essential job of dealing with the crisis in Ukraine and studying its impact on people and the parties involved. Humanitarian and social action organisations were faced with new questions and were confronted with unprecedented difficulties and challenges with respect to their solidarity on the ground. This crisis also brought us to reconsider our priorities when it comes to exile, migration, access to health, resilience, etc.
Three calls for applications were launched after consultation with the refugee reception unit and expert academicians, in particular the Institut Convergences Migrations. An initial fellowship for a study on the Ukrainian elderly exiled in France was awarded in June 2022. Two other topics followed, bringing the total number of research projects supported in the Recherche Urgence Ukraine programme (see the list on page 14) to six. The first dealt with the reception and the healthcare needs of Ukrainian refugees; the second, with the challenges that this sudden crisis presents to humanitarian and social organisations.
This exceptional situation prompted us to innovate by accepting non-French-speaking researchers for the first time. This provision, passed by a vote, is to apply to any researcher exiled in France and hosted as a part of a programme for welcoming exiled scientists (see box). An initial Ukrainian researcher has already benefited from this opportunity, which will undoubtedly be beneficial for others in the future. It should offer a unique perspective on exile in general, and more specifically on the reception of Ukrainian refugees.
Dfinition: what is a flash procedure?
| It is an expedited fellowship award procedure. The time for receiving applications is shortened and the selection process simplified, allowing selected researchers to start their work at once. The objective is twofold: to learn of the needs of organisations operating ‘live’ in the field and to have data collected at the peak of a crisis. |
Projects on the Ukrainian crisis selected under the Recherche Urgence Ukraine programme
- Ludovic JOXE, PhD in Sociology, University of Paris 5, for his project: ‘Continuity of care for Ukrainian exiles in the Lyon region’
- Armelle KLEIN, PhD in Sociology-Demography, University of La Réunion, for her project: ‘Ageing in exile: Access to care and experiences of older Ukrainian refugees in France’
- Giovanni MATERA, PhD in Sociology, EHESS, for his project: ‘Building hospitality. Reception of older Ukrainians exiled in France’
- Tetiana STOIANOVA, Doctor of Law, University of Odessa, for her project: ‘Improving the integration of Ukrainian refugees in France and the reduction of psychological abuse’
- Denys GORBACH, PhD in Political Science, Sciences Po Paris, for his project: ‘Ukrainian exiles in France: subsistence strategies created from scratch’
- Jordan PINEL, PhD in Geography, University of Poitiers, for his project: ‘Citizens committed to Ukrainians: a response from outside major cities’
Click on the name of each researcher to display a descriptive page of his or her research.
Top photo: @Polish Red Cross
