Led by Professor Sara Jones, the national network will work closely with Ukrainian Voice UK, which also launched in Westminster today.
A new national-level network will bring together academics, NGOs, charities and others working with displaced Ukrainians to help those fleeing the Russian invasion to settle in the UK. Sara Jones, Professor of Languages, Cultures and Societies in the Department of Modern Languages, is leading the Ukrainian Policy Network, alongside Dr Irina Kuznetsova and Dr Natalia Kogut, also of the University of Birmingham.
“The network will focus around three core policy areas: visas and pathway to settlement; employment and skills; and mental health and well-being,” says Professor Jones, who received £47k of QR Policy Support funding to set it up. “We will work together to share existing research, identify new areas of research interest, and create recommendations for policymakers to support the integration of displaced Ukrainians nationally.”
The network was launched at an event in Westminster today, sponsored by Martin Wrigley MP, attended by MPs, Lords, and a broad coalition of NGOs, charities and others. They were gathered to hear the results of a new University of Birmingham survey of almost 3,000 displaced Ukrainians in the UK, as well as the policy recommendations of an accompanying report. These include a designated pathway to residency for displaced Ukrainians who have been continuously resident in the UK, better access to mental health services in Ukrainian and the introduction of a Ukrainian GCSE.
“Our previous survey and report from earlier this year had a significant influence on policy discourse and has been cited by various politicians in support of extensions to the Ukraine Visa Schemes, which was achieved in summer 2025,” says Professor Jones. “That extension has a meaningful impact on the lives of the 200,000+ Ukrainians living in the UK and our report continues to be referenced. We are now pushing for the next steps in policy change.”
Today’s event also saw the launch of Ukrainian Voice UK, a national coalition, bringing together community groups, charities, academics, civic leaders, and other key stakeholders to advocate for the long-term stability of Ukrainians who came to the UK. It will serve as a unified voice to government, placing Ukrainians' lived experience at the heart of decision-making. The Ukrainian Policy Network will work closely with the group, with Professor Jones sitting on the steering group.
“I hope to support the coalition with robust research evidence to drive changes in policy that will improve the lives and well-being of those Ukrainians displaced to the UK by the Russian invasion and seeking to rebuild their lives here,” says Professor Jones. “This strengthening of community and the economic and social integration of refugees also aligns with the UK-Ukraine 100-year partnership, and will support Ukraine through remittances and diaspora engagement beyond the end of the war.”
Professor of Languages, Cultures and Societies
Biographical and contact information for Professor Sara Jones in the Department of Modern Languages at the University of Birmingham
Associate Professor
Dr Irina Kuznetsova, is a sociologist and social geographer researching migration, religiosity, health, disabilities studies, social policy and accessible cities.
Research Fellow
Dr Kogut is a research fellow studying a Post Socialist Britain Research and Futures of Ukraine at the University of Birmingham.
