Migration Research Amid War: A New Chapter in Academia. OPORA Foundation as a Case Study

This month, Radboud University in Nijmegen hosted a thought-provoking colloquium titled "How War Impacts Research: Ukrainian Female Scholars Studying Migration." Among the speakers was Maria Shaidrova , a PhD candidate in migration studies and the CEO of OPORA Foundation, who captivated the audience with her reflections on the intersection of migration research and personal experience during war.

Maria Shaidrova’s presentation, titled “Deconstructing the Scholar: From Spectator to the Script writer of Migration Play. Representation of Displaced Migrants as Experts in the Dutch Public Sector: OPORA as a Case Study,” highlighted her unique journey as both a researcher and an active agent of change. From her early work in Nigeria to her recent role as a foundation leader, Maria's path has been one of continual transformation in how migration and displacement are understood.

The Scholar’s Journey: From Observer to Creator

Before the escalated war in Ukraine Maria's career as a researcher was centered on identity formation among returned migrants in Nigeria. She observed that even in their hometowns, returnees unconsciously assumed the role of "victims" in conversations, conditioned to portray themselves in ways that evoked pity from others. This dynamic led her to a critical realization: researchers, too, become actors in this "migration play," passively reinforcing the roles of victims and spectators.

In a radical shift, Maria decided then, for the first time,?to turn the script around by empowering the migrants to define how they wished to be seen. This culminated in the exhibition “Collaging Experience, Performing Ourselves,” where the migrant background of participants was deliberately omitted, allowing them to express their identities without the constraints of labels.

War and Identity: A Scholar’s Transformation

However, in February 2022, everything changed for Maria when the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. No longer just a researcher of vulnerable communities, she suddenly found herself part of one. In a profound shift, she asked herself:?

“What if I do not play the play, what if I write the script?”?

This question became the catalyst for the founding of OPORA, a foundation dedicated to providing evidence-based social solutions for vulnerable communities. OPORA, which means "support" in Ukrainian, has since played a crucial role in assisting displaced individuals in the Netherlands, not only by offering tangible help like mental health services and legal advice, but also by reshaping the narrative surrounding displaced people.

OPORA: Writing a New Script for Displaced Communities

Since its establishment in 2022, OPORA has helped thousands of displaced individuals in the Netherlands, integrating Ukrainian psychologists into the Dutch healthcare system through the Empatia program. This initiative has eased the burden on Dutch medical services by allowing Ukrainian psychologists to provide care in their native language, ensuring culturally sensitive support for displaced Ukrainians.

Beyond direct assistance, OPORA has influenced Dutch policy, providing professional consulting to decision-makers on issues of cultural sensitivity. The foundation has also created employment opportunities for displaced professionals, offering them a chance to reclaim their identities as experts in their fields, rather than being seen merely as victims of war.

OPORA's work has been a lifeline for many, giving displaced individuals the freedom to escape the limiting "role" of the victim and return to their professional lives. The foundation's multicultural environment fosters a sense of belonging and purpose, empowering displaced people to define their own identities once again.

A Colloquium of Voices

Alongside Shaidrova, other notable speakers at the colloquium included Olga Burlyuk, an associate professor at the University of Amsterdam, and Maryna Shevtsova , a senior post-doctoral fellow at KU Leuven. Together, they represented a powerful community of Ukrainian female scholars whose research, resilience, and leadership have reshaped the discourse on migration in the midst of war.

This colloquium was more than just an academic seminar—it was a testament to the enduring spirit of scholars who, even in the face of war, continue to question, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to their fields. For Maria Shaidrova, it was a reaffirmation of the power of rewriting one’s own narrative. In doing so, she has not only contributed to migration studies but also offered a blueprint for how vulnerable communities can be empowered to reclaim their identities and futures, no matter the challenges they face.

22.10.24