To help protect scientific education in these conditions, ten scientists – most of them based in Ukraine – have launched the Ukrainian School in Evolutionary Biology (USEB). The initiative, co-authored and co-organised by Oleksandr Maistrenko from the Biosystems Data Analysis group at the Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences (SILS), is featured in a recent article in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution.

Evolutionary biology studies how life changes over time: how species adapt, how new species arise, and how genetic variation shapes the living world. It is a cornerstone of modern biology, with implications for fields ranging from medicine and agriculture to biodiversity and climate research. In Ukraine, as in many countries, the next generation of experts in this area is trained at universities and research institutes that are now under pressure.

USEB was created as a concrete response to this crisis. Its goal is to give Ukrainian students and early-career researchers access to high-quality education, hands-on training, and international connections, even while the war continues.

The first edition, USEB 2025, took place in Uzhhorod and offered an intensive five-day programme in evolutionary biology. Participants followed lectures on key concepts and current research, joined practical sessions in modern methods and data analysis, and took part in mentoring and networking activities. In total, 168 participants from Ukraine and 44 from 16 other countries attended, while 26 speakers from 9 countries contributed to the programme – a clear signal of broad international support.

Organising the school during wartime was anything but straightforward. Safety concerns, travel restrictions for male participants inside Ukraine, and administrative hurdles for international visitors posed constant challenges. Nevertheless, the organisers succeeded in creating a safe and inspiring environment where students and researchers could focus on science, share ideas, and build collaborations.

USEB is intended to become a recurring, biennial event that will help rebuild and strengthen Ukraine’s capacity in evolutionary biology over the long term. For students and young scientists, it offers a rare chance to continue their scientific development and stay connected to the global research community.