Advanced Research Workshop - Science for Recovery of Ukraine

From 3 - 5 February 2026, the University of Strasbourg hosted an Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) titled “Science for the Reconstruction of Ukraine.” The workshop was co-directed by researchers from the University of Maryland and the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute” (ISKPI, member of the U_CAN Consortium). The co-directors of the workshop, Sergii Skakun and Andrii Shelestov, kindly offered the U_CAN project the opportunity to exchange insights with the broader research community, present the project’s research design and initial results.

Nataliia Kussul, supporting member of the U_CAN Consortium, presented findings from her ongoing research and outlined current opportunities for intensified collaboration. Further insights from the U_CAN coordination and support action were given by Andrii Shelestov who provided an overview on the Ukrainian experience in war damage detection. Sofia Drozd presented work on Earth intelligence for green energy development in Ukraine. Paul Stadelhofer (representing U_CAN coordinator TU Dresden) presented the overall project structure and research design.

Participants of the ARW discussed gaps in current satellite-based applications and explored opportunities for collaboration to align global expertise with Ukraine's reconstruction needs. Particular attention was given to strategies for closing these gaps, with an emphasis on aligning priorities among stakeholders while laying the groundwork for potential collaborative projects to effectively support Ukraine's reconstruction efforts.

Delegates at the workshop represented – among others – institutions such as the Joint Research Centre, The European Environmental Agency and the European Space Agency. The overall program was supported by the NATO Science for Peace and Security Programme.