Editor’s Note: Today’s post is an interview of Ganna Kharlamova, conducted by Frances Pinter. Ganna is Professor  in the Department of Economic Cybernetics, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (TSNUK). She is also Director of the Coordination Center for the Publishing of Scientific Journals and Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Regional Chapter of the European Association of Science Editors (EASE). Frances is Director of Academic Relations at Central European University Press and Amsterdam University Press. She is also the founder of SUPRR (Supporting Ukrainian Publishing Resilience and Recovery).

I’ve characterized you and your colleagues as ‘changemakers’, the ones who are committed to changing the way scholarly communications and especially publishing are conducted in Ukraine. Could you outline how it has been operating?

My colleagues (https://sciencejournals.knu.ua/en/about-us/coordination-center) and I are deeply committed to reshaping scholarly communications and publishing in Ukraine. The functioning of Ukrainian science during wartime demands special attention to upholding ethical standards in research, aimed at building an independent scientific community free from ideological influence and founded on honesty, reliability, and objectivity. In post-Soviet countries, implementing principles of academic integrity has faced challenges due to the strong influence of Soviet-era academic writing traditions. These traditions often treated scientific articles, especially in the social sciences and humanities, as tools for ideological pressure.

Aligning the practices of Ukrainian scholarly publications with international standards is a matter of national security. Reliable publishing practices, adherence to global standards, and participation in international cooperation are essential for economic development, technological innovation, and countering misinformation. That is why the work of the Coordination Center at TSNUK focuses on improving approaches to research integrity and academic publishing among Ukrainian scholars. This is crucial for enhancing Ukraine’s competitiveness and its successful integration into the global scientific community.

Our approach has involved several key strategies:

1. Building International Partnerships: We try to boost collaboration with global institutions and publishers to bring in new standards and training for our editorial teams. This helps elevate our publications to international standards while maintaining local relevance.
2. Modernizing Editorial Processes: By updating our editorial practices and introducing structured peer-review systems, we aim to increase the credibility of Ukrainian research.
3. Capacity Building and Training: We focus on continuous education for editors, authors, and reviewers, helping them stay current with global publishing trends and digital tools.
4. Advocating Open Science: We promote open access and other open science principles to improve the visibility and impact of Ukrainian research. Our initiatives encourage data sharing and preprints, making research outputs more accessible to both national and international audiences.
5. Navigating Challenges and Developing Solutions: We address specific challenges in the Ukrainian context, such as language barriers, funding constraints, and infrastructure gaps by working closely with both government and private stakeholders.

This multifaceted approach empowers us to gradually transform the Ukrainian scholarly landscape and aligning it with global developments.

One major challenge in Ukraine’s scholarly publishing sector is the lack of a professional standard for editors in general and, specifically, for editors of scientific journals. Often, editors of scientific publications are specialists in specific fields—such as law, economics, physics, or chemistry—who may not fully grasp the complexities of editorial policy development or working with specialized publishing platforms. Ukrainian authors face additional barriers due to a lack of knowledge, and skills in communicating and collaborating with the editorial teams of high-ranking international journals.

Can you say a word about the implications of both Russian and Western influences?

 The history of Ukrainian scholarly publishing has been deeply influenced by both Russian and Western paradigms, shaping its current practices and challenges. During the Soviet era, Russian influence meant that Ukrainian research was often bound by ideological constraints and operated in isolation from global developments. In Ukraine’s pre-independence period, publications were frequently written in Russian, and much of the research aligned with Soviet priorities, limiting intellectual freedom and collaboration with Western scholars.

After Ukraine gained independence, there was a shift toward Western standards, but lingering Soviet traditions still affected academic writing, research ethics, and editorial practices, perpetuated mostly through representatives of older generations of scientists and editors. Today, there is a conscious push to harmonize Ukrainian publishing practices with international standards, aiming for openness, transparency, and rigor. The Ministry of Education of Ukraine are strong advocates in this process.

What role does the change from Russian to English as the official second language of Ukraine have on publishing?

Publishing in English has become a priority, as it allows Ukrainian scholars to reach a global audience and contribute to the international research community. However, this shift to English — now recognized as Ukraine’s second language — poses challenges. For many, English proficiency can be a barrier, impacting the quality of translation and sometimes the depth of scientific expression. Proofreading and language editors are rarely affordable for Ukrainian scientific journals, even inside Universities like TSNUK. While English facilitates external communication, it doesn’t fully address the needs of internal scholarly communication, where Ukrainian remains essential for knowledge dissemination within the country.

Navigating these dual needs — integrating globally through English and preserving local scholarly discourse in Ukrainian — is crucial for Ukraine’s integration into the European open science space and beyond while maintaining its academic sovereignty.

What is your vision for scientific and scholarly publishing in the future?

My vision for the future of scientific and scholarly publishing in Ukraine centers on building a comprehensive, sustainable ecosystem within modern universities — one that integrates economic, legal, and operational frameworks aligned with international standards. This scholarly publishing ecosystem should enable Ukrainian research to flourish on both local and global stages, fostering openness, ethical integrity, and accessibility.

To achieve this, we need a multifaceted strategy that includes defining the economic and legal principles essential for supporting publishers, authors, and institutions. This involves establishing a stable funding model, protecting intellectual property, and ensuring legal compliance with global open-access mandates. A clear roadmap should guide universities in Ukraine toward modernizing their infrastructure, supporting digital transformation, and training researchers in best practices for transparent, reliable, and reproducible science.

My vision further emphasizes international collaboration, particularly as Ukraine seeks integration into the European open science landscape. The development of an inclusive scholarly publishing ecosystem is essential not only for advancing Ukrainian academia but also for contributing to the global knowledge economy in meaningful ways.

To achieve such goals what change drivers need to be put in place?

To achieve a robust and internationally competitive scholarly publishing system in Ukraine, a range of cultural and structural change drivers must be put in place, i.e.,:

• Embracing global publishing standards requires a shift from post-Soviet norms to those prioritizing transparency, rigor, and openness in research. This includes fostering a culture of integrity, originality, and adherence to international ethical standards, especially in scholarly communication. The transition involves encouraging Ukrainian scholars to actively engage with the global academic community and adapt practices that enhance quality and transparency in publishing.
• Universities need structural support to develop specialized departments or centers for research integrity and editorial training. This would enable editors and authors alike to improve their publishing skills and understand international standards. Establishing dedicated publishing platforms and tools that are accessible across institutions will also standardize practices, making it easier for Ukrainian researchers to meet global standards.
• Introducing professional standards for editorial roles is essential. This involves creating a clear profile of the qualifications, skills, and expertise required for editors and providing training programs to support these standards. Courses on editorial policy development, ethical practices, and effective use of publishing platforms are integral to elevating the quality of Ukrainian scientific journals.
• National-level support and regulatory guidance are vital. The Ministry of Education could spearhead the integration of quality standards and invest in training initiatives for editors, authors, and reviewers. Government-backed programs promoting publication in reputable international journals and support for cross-border collaborations would encourage further compliance with global standards.
• Partnering with global publishing and academic integrity organizations, such as COPE and EASE, can provide valuable frameworks and insights. Leveraging these collaborations to host workshops, seminars, and mentoring programs would equip Ukrainian editors and researchers with the tools to navigate and uphold international publishing standards.

Where are you employing your own efforts to achieve the vision?

To achieve the vision for a modern, globally recognized Ukrainian scholarly publishing ecosystem, our efforts are focused on two main initiatives:

1. NFRU project (a National Fund for Research in Ukraine project aiming to harmonize editorial practices of Ukrainian scholarly journals) with the Ministry of Education of Ukraine: Through a targeted government project aimed at strengthening the quality and reputation of Ukrainian academic journals, we are addressing the challenges of aligning our journals with international standards. This initiative includes a thorough analysis of current practices, workshops for editorial teams on best practices, and the development of a structured support system to enhance journal quality and visibility. This project not only supports ethical publishing but also improves journals’ competitiveness in international databases like Scopus and Web of Science.
2. University Press Development Plans: At the institutional level, we are working to establish and support university presses. These presses will serve as key platforms for quality research dissemination, ensuring robust editorial policies, peer review processes, and transparency. By setting up dedicated university presses, we aim to cultivate a sustainable and independent publishing environment within academic institutions, fostering the growth of impactful, high-quality publications in various disciplines.

You certainly have your hands full, especially trying to achieve so much under war time conditions. How can publishing people in the West help you?

The Western publishing community can play a crucial role in supporting the resilience and growth of Ukrainian scholarly publishing, contributing to a stronger, more integrated global research community. Support from the Western publishing community can be invaluable in several ways:

1. Establishing partnerships with Western institutions can facilitate knowledge sharing and resource exchange. Collaborative projects and trainings can help Ukrainian publishers adopt best practices and innovative publishing models that have been successful in Western contexts.
2. Training opportunities for editors, reviewers, and authors on modern publishing practices, including the use of digital platforms, peer review processes, and ethical publishing standards, can significantly enhance the skills of Ukrainian publishing professionals. The Ukrainian editors definitely need continuing education practices in the field like certificate programs, micro credential programs, summer/winter study schools.
3. Western publishers can provide access to databases, tools, and platforms that may not be readily available in Ukraine, i.e., proof-reading, reviewers bases. This access can improve the visibility and dissemination of Ukrainian research, making it easier to reach global audiences. Easier access of Ukrainian university presses journals to databases/depositories/disseminators that are accelerators of quality like Scopus, Web of Science, DOAJ, etc.
4. Funding initiatives specifically aimed at supporting Ukrainian academic publishing can help cover costs associated with publishing high-quality research, upgrading the level of editors.
5. Raising awareness about the challenges faced by Ukrainian publishers and researchers in the West can lead to increased support and understanding. This advocacy can foster solidarity and encourage more institutions to engage with and support Ukrainian academic initiatives.
6. Providing Ukrainian researchers with opportunities to publish in Western journals or through Western presses can enhance their visibility and contribute to the international dialogue on various academic topics, showcasing the resilience and relevance of Ukrainian scholarship.