#Brain4Ukraine: Kat's Oxford PhD Fundraiser
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Hi, my name is Kateryna (or Kat for short). I am a third-year Ukrainian PhD student at the University of Oxford looking at the transformative role of women parliamentarians in Ukraine and Tunisia. I’ve set up this GoFundMe page to ask you for a huge favour – to help me raise £18,000 towards completing my doctorate. Without your support, I may not be able to fulfil my lifelong dream of attaining a doctoral degree to advocate for my home country in the academic arena and among global decision-makers.
Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has left my homeland devastated and the livelihoods of millions of people disrupted – my family among them. My primary sponsors, my mother and sister – who ran an art gallery in central Kyiv for many years – were forced to leave behind everything they worked for and seek asylum in the UK. As a Ukrainian national, I am eligible for very few existing scholarships, while my student visa limits the number of hours I can work to support myself.
I firmly believe that we must understand the crucial role that women can play in creating safer, more transparent conditions for the development of such countries as Ukraine and Tunisia, and by extension the world. I also believe that the presence of Ukrainian academics like me in top institutions like Oxford is one of the most effective ways of ensuring Ukraine is known, heard, and understood. Russia’s widespread campaign of disinformation cannot succeed if Ukrainians have a strong representation in global centres of governance and learning. With Ukraine’s economy in ruins, and my own financial situation in jeopardy, I turn to you for support.
My Story
My Background
Born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine, I first came to the UK when I was 13. I was fortunate to receive secondary and higher education here with my family’s financial help. A proud Ukrainian, the UK has welcomed me and has become my second home. I completed my BA in War Studies & History at King’s College London and MPhil in Russian and East European Studies at St Antony’s College, University of Oxford. I am no stranger to the brutal realities of Russian aggression in Ukraine: I spent my gap year in Kyiv during the first year of the war (2014-15) interning at the British Council and devoted my master’s thesis to the study of female soldiers in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
My mother Natasha has always believed in the value of education, both for herself and her children. Starting her career as a space engineer, she retrained as an interior designer, built a successful real estate company, and later launched an art business. She has always been a strong female role model for me, and thanks to her efforts, I was able to study in the UK and aim high. 8 years ago, my sister Myroslava, an Oxford alumna, returned to Ukraine to help my mother to crisis-manage her business in a wartime economy and support me through my university education. I have been in part-time employment my whole adult life. Yet, visa restrictions and lack of scholarships for Ukrainian citizens in the humanities and social sciences meant that I always relied on my family’s financial help.
The Raging War
Russia’s full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022 drastically changed the situation. My family’s life and business ground to a halt. They spent the first 10 days of the war in Kyiv hiding in a bomb shelter, at a time when Russian troops were closing in on the capital and warfare with pro-Russian terrorists raged on the streets. Travel to western Ukraine was dangerous, but my mother and sister made the hard decision to leave our home, bringing with them only a few personal items.
The psychological toll of their experience continues to show, and even though they are safely in the UK, the realities of the war still affect us on a daily basis. My beloved grandmother Raisa, a retired teacher of 76, remains in Kyiv. Since my family’s arrival, I have spent my time supporting them as they build a new life.
Serving the Community
My volunteer work as President of the Oxford University Ukrainian Society (OUUS) and my rowing club kept me going through the waking nightmare of the past 6 months.
As President of the OUUS, I coordinated the emergency response when the full-scale war broke out in February. My team organised 3 large-scale protests in Oxford with over 1000 attendees, the first held on the morning of the invasion, sent 4 shipments of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and raised over £30,000 for Ukrainian charities. I also participated in several meetings with the Prime Minister’s Policy Advisors at 10 Downing Street to advise on the situation in Ukraine.
At St Antony’s College, I remain an active member of the community and the rowing club, having recently begun rowing with the Oxford University Women’s Development Squad. Rowing gives me the energy and endurance to persevere with my academic and community work, while my teammates have supported me tirelessly through this crisis.
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GOAL: £18,000
DEADLINE: 15 October 2022
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The total I need to raise for next year is £23,100. Here’s a breakdown of costs:
Course Continuation Fees: £2,055
Rent fees (incl. bills): £10,545
Living costs (food and personal items): £7,500
Fieldwork costs (Tunis, Tunisia): £3,000
TOTAL: 23,100
Here’s where I’m at:
- At present, I have only secured £5,000 in college loans, which will cover a few months of rent and living expenses.
- I have set up this GoFundMe page to raise the remaining £18,000.
- This money will cover my course continuation fees, living costs, and fieldwork expenses.
- Whether you donate £5, £10, or £50, or share my campaign in your social media feed, I would be very grateful for any support in my endeavour!
- UPDATE 02.09.2022: Thank you to the first 12 people who donated. Your prints will be with you soon!
- Any pointers on public or private sponsorship that I can pursue are deeply appreciated!
Thank you for taking the time to read my story and help me continue advancing a crucial topic within academia and policymaking – female empowerment and gender policy reforms. As the common phrase goes, every little helps! The war in Ukraine rages on, and despite the support of Western allies, is likely to continue for some time. Yet I am committed not to let it deter me from continuing with my research. By supporting me, you are supporting the presence of Ukrainian voices in the global academic arena.
SLAVA UKRAIINI!
#brain4ukraine #supportukraine #stoprussianaggression
#ukrainianoxford #womeninacademia #equalitycantwait
Organizer
Kateryna Marina
Organizer
England
