Research areas

Areas of a single research programme

Each area rests on recognised methodologies, open data, and a clear theory of change — from a scientific question to an implemented solution.

Flagship area

Reconstruction Science & Economics

Evidence-based assessment of damage, loss, and needs together with reconstruction economics, giving donors and the state a reliable basis for recovery decisions.

The challenge

Reconstruction requires hundreds of billions in investment, yet decisions are often made without a consistent, reproducible assessment of damage, loss, and real needs. Without a shared methodology, the figures cannot be compared, verified, or trusted.

Our approach

We apply recognised international methodologies — the World Bank RDNA and DaLA (Damage and Loss Assessment) — for consistent assessment across three dimensions: damage, loss, and needs. We combine this with economic modelling and forecasting of recovery scenarios.

Theory of change

A shared, reproducible methodology → comparable and verified estimates → trust of donors and the state → more effective allocation of recovery capital.

Planned outputs

First working papers on assessment methodology, open datasets on damage and needs for pilot sectors, analytical briefs for policymakers, and peer-reviewed publications on reconstruction economics.

Defence & Dual-Use Technology

Applied scientific research into protective materials, demining technologies, and sensing that serve both defence and safe civilian recovery.

The challenge

The safety of people and territories is a precondition for any recovery. Mined land, a shortage of modern protective materials, and insufficient sensing capability directly constrain reconstruction and cost lives.

Our approach

We conduct applied engineering research into protective materials and armour, demining and counter-mine technologies, and sensing and dual-use innovation. This is scientific and engineering work and dual-use research, not arms trade.

Theory of change

Research into materials and sensing → tested prototypes and open engineering findings → faster and safer demining and protection → territories ready for recovery.

Planned outputs

First technical reports on protective-material characteristics, research prototypes of sensing and counter-mine solutions, open engineering test methodologies, and peer-reviewed publications.

Environment & Climate Science

Assessment of the environmental damage of war, remediation of soil and water, and carbon accounting of reconstruction to international standards.

The challenge

War inflicts large-scale and often invisible damage on the environment: contamination of soil and water, destruction of ecosystems, emissions from fires and destruction. Without precise environmental assessment, reconstruction risks locking in harm for decades.

Our approach

We conduct environmental assessment of war damage, research contamination and remediation methods for soil and water, perform carbon accounting under ISO 14064, and analyse climate risks under the TCFD/TNFD frameworks, integrating the environment into reconstruction planning.

Theory of change

Precise environmental and climate assessment → reconstruction that restores the environment rather than harming it → lower long-term risks and costs → sustainable, clean recovery.

Planned outputs

First contamination datasets for pilot territories, remediation methodologies, carbon-accounting protocols for reconstruction, and peer-reviewed environmental research.

Law & International Justice

Scientific-legal research into war damage and reparations and an evidence base for the Register of Damage (RD4U) and international judicial mechanisms.

The challenge

Compensation for war-inflicted harm depends on the quality of evidence. Fragmented, unsystematic, and poorly documented recording of damage undermines the chances of fair reparations and accountability.

Our approach

We conduct scientific-legal research into war damage and reparations, develop evidentiary methodologies for the Register of Damage (RD4U) and the International Criminal Court, and analyse questions of the rule of law and compliance with international standards. A dedicated strand is the comprehensive analysis of the aggressor's sanctions-circumvention schemes and the tracing of assets and illicit financial flows, feeding reparations claims and accountability.

Theory of change

A rigorous evidentiary methodology → properly documented damage and traced aggressor assets → stronger reparations and accountability claims → justice that underpins recovery.

Planned outputs

First legal briefs, evidentiary methodologies for documenting damage for RD4U/ICC, sanctions-circumvention and asset-tracing analytics, open templates, and peer-reviewed publications on the international law of recovery.

Supporting area

Quantum Computing & Advanced AI

Quantum algorithms and artificial-intelligence methods for modelling, optimisation, and analysis of recovery data.

The challenge

Reconstruction generates problems of enormous computational complexity — logistics optimisation, resource allocation, processing of geospatial and satellite data — that classical methods solve slowly or only approximately.

Our approach

We research quantum and quantum-inspired optimisation algorithms and advanced AI methods for modelling recovery scenarios, analysing large and geospatial datasets, and predictive modelling, while keeping methods open and reproducible.

Theory of change

Advanced computational methods → faster and more accurate recovery models → better-grounded decisions → more effective allocation of limited resources.

Planned outputs

First computational prototypes and benchmarks, open datasets and code, and methodological working papers on quantum optimisation and AI for recovery.

Supporting area

Open Data & Digital Transparency

Open datasets, open-source methodologies, and a transparency platform that makes recovery spending traceable.

The challenge

Large-scale reconstruction capital attracts more than good-faith partners. Without open data and transparent spending tracking, the trust of donors and citizens erodes and the risk of abuse grows.

Our approach

We create open datasets and open-source methodologies, as well as a civic digital platform that makes recovery spending traceable and governance accountable.

Theory of change

Open data and transparency tools → traceable spending → accountable governance → trust that unlocks more responsible capital.

Planned outputs

First open-source version of the transparency platform, published open datasets, documented open methodologies, and technical documentation for reuse.

Supporting area

International Knowledge Exchange

Fellowships, comparative studies of post-conflict recovery, and the integration of Ukrainian science into the global research community.

The challenge

Ukraine is not the first country to rebuild after destruction, but valuable global experience often remains scattered, and Ukrainian science is insufficiently integrated into global research networks.

Our approach

We introduce research fellowships, conduct comparative studies of post-conflict recovery, and build lasting ties between Ukrainian and foreign researchers and institutions.

Theory of change

Knowledge exchange and comparative studies → lessons of global reconstruction learned → a stronger, integrated Ukrainian science → better recovery solutions.

Planned outputs

First research fellowships, comparative analytical studies, joint publications with international partners, and working seminars.